The Seoul Museum of History

"The past is a foreign country: 
They do things differently there."
L.P. Hartley, "The Go-Between"


I've been skipping the palaces and other Joseon Dynasty jive. Forgive me, Korea, but I yam what I yam! At the Seoul Museum of History is a great temporary exhibit, "Seoul in Turbulence, as Seen by the AP."

If you're anywhere in East Asia, you may wish to check it out. If you're not, I'll save you a trip. The Euljiro area of Seoul on June 28, 1950, just before the city was occupied by the North Korean army.  

The attack was an utter surprise. One million people who couldn't get out in time were forced to live under North Korean control for 90 days until Seoul was briefly retaken.

By December, Seoulites were on the run again. Nearly a million would flee as North Korean and Chinese forces reoccupied the city. On Sept. 1, 1950, a crowd gathered around an exhausted U.S. soldier.

Children and their mothers covered their ears as they watched cannon fire on Sept. 24, 1950. 

By Sept. 28, 1950, the city was in ruins.

American soldiers took Communion on the steps of the Capitol building after a fierce battle on Oct. 3, 1950.

 

Citizens were divided into anti-Communists and North Korean sympathizers, and they feuded fiercely.  

A Seoulite kicks a North Korean POW. 

Refugees stream south after Seoul's recapture by the North.

Ike visited in December 1952. A banner welcomed him on the Capitol building. 

After the war, North Korean prisoners who refused to return to the North were treated like heroes at Seoul Railway Station. 

Things stayed hairy after the war. There were rigged elections and crackdowns on personal liberties, and Seoulites rose up, kicking out the so-called Liberal Party. 

Kids on homemade sleds play on the frozen Han River. This photo was taken in February 1959 when Sluggh was exactly 1 week old.

Seoul in 1960.

"Seoul in Turbulence, as Seen by the AP" 

Through June 3 at the Seoul Museum of History

9-9 weekdays, 9-7 weekends

Closed Mondays

Gwanghwmun Station Exit 7 

(next to the Salvation Army building) 

Admission is free.