The building was originally constructed as the Mokpo branch of the Oriental Development Company, which managed the seizure of Korean farmland.
The complex includes a man-made air-raid shelter, built by mobilizing local residents through forced labor during the late colonial period.
The exterior facade is a rare remaining example of early 20th-century red brick architecture in the Jeollanam-do region.
The museum was a primary filming location for the popular Korean drama 'Hotel Del Luna'.
The building's height and structural prominence were designed to project colonial administrative authority over the local harbor.
Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall 1 is housed in the former Mokpo branch of the Oriental Development Company, a building constructed in 1920. It serves as a stark physical record of the Japanese colonial period in Korea. The structure itself is a designated South Korean cultural heritage site, featuring Renaissance-style red brick architecture. Exhibits inside detail the systemic exploitation of local resources and labor during the colonial era. The facility includes an original air-raid shelter carved into the hillside behind the main building. It provides context on the history of Mokpo's opening as a port city in 1897. The museum preserves original interior elements and provides multilingual documentation on the historical significance of the site.
The main entrance steps facing the red-brick facade, which serves as the iconic backdrop from the Hotel Del Luna drama.
Prioritize visiting the air-raid shelter located directly behind the main building as it offers a haunting perspective on wartime conditions.
Combine your visit with Hall 2 located nearby to understand the city's broader historical timeline.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the museum is situated on a slope requiring an uphill walk from the lower streets.
Do not mistake Hall 1 for Hall 2, as they are separate buildings with different thematic exhibits.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor due to the somber nature of the historical subject matter; photography of restricted areas is prohibited.
