Ihwajang in Seoul

Address of Ihwajang in Seoul: 1-2 Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Local Transportation at Ihwajang in Seoul: From exit 2 of Hyehwa Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), walk toward Korea National Open University; Nearby is the Attached Elementary School of College of Education, Seoul National University; At the crossroads, walk toward Podowon Garden restaurant and there is an uphill road. The Korean-style house situated at the end of the road is Ihwajang.

Opening hours at Ihwajang in Seoul: 09:00-17:00

Ihwajang in Seoul closed on: None

Admission fee at Ihwajang in Seoul: Free

Travel phone at Ihwajang in Seoul: +82-2-1330 (Kor, Eng, Jpn, Chn) / Ihwajang +82-2-762-3171(Kor, Eng) / Jongno-gu District Office +82-2-731-0114

Features of Ihwajang in Seoul

Ihwajang in Seoul is the birthplace of the first President of Korea. Across the street from the SNU Hospital, there is Ihwajang on the hills of Daehakro. The place is not that well known among Koreans, but has a historic significance. After Korea gained independence from Japan in 1945, Ihwajang in Seoul was the residence of the former president Lee seungman and his wife. Even though he moved out of the house after he was elected the first president of Korea, he used to return and visit for walks in the garden. After he relinquished his appointment as president, he stayed at Ihwajang in Seoul for a while before coming to America as an exile.

The features of Ihwajang in Seoul are:

  -   It consisted of the bonchae (main building), which were Lee seungman and his wife's living quarters, jogakdang( president's office area) and other buildings. Inside Ihawjang are several quiet and simple buildings.

  -   Jogakdang, the president's office area, is a small and narrow building but it is an important historical place where he had a conference to form the first Korean ministry.

  -   Ihwajang in Seoul shows the change of Korean traditional house under Japanese control.