The building was originally constructed in 1929 to serve as the Busan office of the Oriental Development Company, an agency used for land acquisition during the Japanese occupation.
The structure was later utilized as the United States Cultural Center before being transferred to the city of Busan in 1999.
Following its transfer, it served as the Busan Modern History Museum before being rebranded as an annex to the newly established modern and contemporary history complex.
The museum serves as a site of historical reflection, specifically addressing the history of colonial encroachment and subsequent national modernization efforts.
The Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum Annex is housed in the former building of the Busan branch of the Dongyang Takshik (Oriental Development Company), a symbol of Japanese colonial economic exploitation. The site serves as a companion to the main Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum, focusing on the historical narrative of Busan's modernization and its experience during the 20th century. The architecture reflects the period's colonial office design, reconstructed to preserve its original structural identity while serving as an exhibition space. It chronicles the city's transformation from a port city through the Korean War era to its industrial expansion. The facility uses digital archives and historical documents to contextualize the impact of regional history on modern Busan. It provides a detailed account of the city's role in the transition of Korean sovereignty and post-war socio-economic reconstruction.
The historical exterior of the building, particularly the preserved colonial-era facade.
Visit the main building of the Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum afterwards to get the full scope of the city's history.
Check the official website for temporary exhibition changes, as they rotate the themes within the Annex regularly.
Do not confuse the Annex with the main museum building across the street; ensure you are visiting the specific facility you intended.
Closed on Mondays and on January 1st.
Maintain a quiet volume and refrain from using flash photography inside the exhibition galleries.
