The museum commemorates the departure of the SS Gaelic, which carried the first group of 121 Korean immigrants to Hawaii in 1902.
Many early Korean immigrants in Mexico and Cuba worked under grueling conditions in henequen (sisal hemp) plantations.
The museum houses original passports and travel documents from early 20th-century migrants, which are now rare historical artifacts.
The migration was spurred by a combination of drought, famine, and political instability during the late Joseon Dynasty period.
Incheon Port was designated as the primary departure point for these early migrants due to its status as the center of international trade and maritime connection at the time.
The Museum of Korea Emigration History serves as the first museum in South Korea dedicated to documenting the history of overseas Korean immigrants, starting from the 1902 departure of the first government-sanctioned immigrant group to Hawaii. Located on Wolmido Island, the museum tracks the diaspora journey from the initial migration of 121 people aboard the SS Gaelic to the global dispersion of Koreans. The exhibitions display artifacts, historical documents, and personal testimonies that illuminate the struggles and economic contributions of early settlers in Hawaii, Mexico, and beyond. It highlights the role of Incheon Port as the historical gateway for outbound migrants in the early 20th century. The museum occupies a modern building that features thematic galleries detailing life aboard migrant ships and the challenges faced in host countries.
The life-sized replica of the immigrant ship deck on the upper floor.
Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby Wolmido Cultural Street to see the contrast between historical preservation and modern seaside leisure.
Look for the exhibits featuring old ship logs, as they provide the most visceral connection to the living conditions of the migrants.
Do not mistake this for the Incheon Open Port Museum, which is located in a different area of the city near the train station.
Closed on Mondays and the morning of New Year's Day; if Monday is a public holiday, it is open and closed the following day instead.
