hankyoreh

This underground interrogation room, once used by the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, is now open to the public. (Photo by Kim Bong-gyu, staff photographer)

On the morning of Feb. 3, the city of Seoul announced it was opening up several facilities to the public as part of its five-year revitalization project for the Yejang Jarak area of Namsan Mountain, which will be wrapping up in May.

The name “Yejang” refers to a martial arts training site located here during the Joseon Dynasty. During the Japanese occupation, the area hosted the residence of the governor-general of Korea. After liberation, it was the location of the headquarters of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), today known as the National Intelligence Service.

This underground interrogation room, once used by the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, is now open to the public. (Photo by Kim Bong-gyu, staff photographer)

The underground interrogation room of the KCIA’s sixth bureau, which was opened to the public on Feb. 4, was restored and recreated in its original location with original materials based on witness testimony.

“On Apr. 3, we intend to hold an event to commemorate the National League of Democratic Youth and Students incident. We will be inviting ten or so victims connected with that incident — people who were illegally detained and tortured here on Apr. 3, 1974,” said Suh Hae-seong, who has supervised the work on the park as head of Seoul’s historical rejuvenation team.

By Kim Bong-gyu, staff photographer

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