Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum
부산근현대역사관
Housed in two buildings — the former Bank of Korea Busan headquarters (the main building) and the former Busan branch of the colonial-era Oriental Development Company (the annex) — on what Busan became after its port opened. It stands on Daecheong-ro in Jung-gu, the district that also holds Gukje Market and the Bosu-dong book alley. Closed Mondays, and no entry after 17:00.
Language
Place information
- Korean name
- 부산근현대역사관
- Address
- 104 Daecheong-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
- Opening hours
- 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00)
- Closed
- Jan 1 · Every Mon
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Admission
- Free
Prices
| Admission | Free |
|---|
Source: Visit Busan — Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum ·
History
Before liberation, the annex played a role in extracting Busan's land, marine and other resources. It was then used as accommodation for US troops arriving in Busan and, after the establishment of the Republic of Korea, as the American Cultural Center. Following its return, it served as the Busan Modern History Museum.
1929
Construction for the Oriental Development Company
1999
Return of the annex building
2003–2021
Use as the Busan Modern History Museum
What to see
First permanent gallery
On the third floor of the main building, this gallery covers the city's formation and everyday life after the opening of the ports under the theme of modern Busan.
Second permanent gallery
On the fourth floor of the main building, this gallery covers industrialisation and democratisation after liberation under the theme of contemporary Busan.
Art gallery in the former vault
Contemporary art is exhibited in a former vault on the basement level of the main building.
Bank of Korea archive room
On the first floor of the main building, this room presents the history of the Bank of Korea's Busan headquarters and currency.
Reliefs on the annex
The early modernist annex has vine-pattern reliefs at the centre of its outer wall and lotus-shaped reliefs around its windows. On the ground floor, ceiling mouldings and light fittings from a reception room used during the Oriental Development Company period have been restored.
First permanent gallery selected
Stories about this place
- Busan in 2 or 3 Days: Old City, Haeundae to Gwangalli, Beomeosa
A first-timer's Busan route. Day 1 covers the western old city — the Provisional Capital Memorial Hall, Nampo-dong and Huinnyeoul Culture Village; day 2 the eastern coast from Haeundae along Blue Line Park to Songjeong and Gwangalli; day 3 runs from Beomeosa down to the UN Memorial Cemetery and Oryukdo. Includes how to choose between two and three days, Monday closures, opening hours and bad-weather swaps.
- Five Historic Places in Busan: Beomeosa to Huinnyeoul Village
Five places to see Busan's history, set out in the order the centuries came, from Beomeosa, founded under Silla, to the cliff lanes on Yeongdo where Korean War refugees settled. All five are free. Includes opening hours, where to go instead when the two museums close on Mondays and 1 January, and how to group them into days.
Nearby Food
Travel Guides
Related articles
Where these facts come from
- Visit Busan — Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum ·
- Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum — the annex ·
- Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum — the main building ·
- Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum — director's greeting: the former Oriental Development Company / American Cultural Center building and the former Bank of Korea Busan headquarters ·