There is an island where there used to have a beautiful sandy beach along the downstream of Hangang River. And the name of the island is Yeouido. During the Joseon Dynasty, Yeouido was home to mulberry trees and pigs and sheep.
During the Japanese colonial rule, an airfield was built in Yeouido, which served as a hub of air transport in Korea until its function as international air was transferred to Gimpo Airport in 1961.
During the 1960s, Yeouido emerged as a center of Seoul due to the reorganization of administrative districts and entered a period of urbanization.
With the construction of embankment, the National Assembly, broadcasting companies, and financial companies, Yeouido became the hub of politics and finance.
As time passed by, the runway in the airfield turned into a square which hosted a series of events including Armed Forces Day and anti-communism rally. Occasionally, reunions for families divided by the Korean War and political campaigns took place as well.
May this exhibition provide you an opportunity to look back on the history of Yeouido, where the modern and contemporary history of Seoul took place. Take time to enjoy Yeouido, an island preserved with long-time stories of Koreans.