Where to go this Liberation Day holiday: sites and events to mark Korea's independence

Children from the Buk-gu Office workplace daycare center wave Korean flags on the campus of Chonnam National University. [Yonhap]

As Korea marks the 81st anniversary of liberation this Liberation Day holiday, museums and historic sites across the country are hosting events that blend history with summer outings — from heritage travel guides and Rose of Sharon exhibitions to extended museum hours and theme park promotions.

Korea Tourism Organization highlights 20 historic travel destinations

For those unsure where to head, the Korea Tourism Organization is running a special feature on its domestic travel platform, "Daehanminguk Guseokguseok" (Corners of Korea), titled "A Complete Guide to Historic Travel Destinations to Visit on Liberation Day."

The feature introduces 20 representative historic sites across the country in chronological order — from the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty to liberation — including Namsan's National Humiliation Trail, the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government, the Independence Hall of Korea and the Seodaemun Prison History Hall. Many of the sites are well suited for families looking to combine travel with education for their children.

The National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government [Korea Tourism Organization]

Among the highlights, the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government will run an interactive program Saturday called "I Am the Korean Liberation Army! Join the Liberation Army," held in the Uijeongwon Hall on the first below-ground floor. The program consists of five participatory activities tracing the training and movement of the Korean Liberation Army. Participants can experience, in sequence, trainee drills, passing through a Japanese military checkpoint, transporting supplies, completing a long march and taking part in a commissioning ceremony as a Liberation Army member. Admission closes at 4 p.m.

The Ahn Jung-geun Memorial History Hall at Haedongsa Temple in Jangheung, South Jeolla Province [Korea Tourism Organization]

The Ahn Jung-geun Memorial History Hall at Haedongsa Temple in Jangheung, South Jeolla Province — the only site in Korea enshrining a spirit tablet and portrait of independence activist Ahn Jung-geun — operates as a history education space combining media art with hands-on experiences. The hall features a replica of Ahn's study in Lushun Prison, where visitors can practice calligraphy by copying his writings, as well as an interactive screen.

The Korea Tourism Organization's platform also highlights six special exhibitions at venues including the Daegu Modern History Museum, the Manhae Memorial Hall, the Jeju Education Museum, the Hanbat Education Museum, the Honam Patriots Memorial Hall and the Hwaseong Independence Movement Memorial Hall — among them a poetry and painting exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of Han Yong-un's "Nim-ui Chimmuk" ("The Silence of My Love") and a commemorative exhibition for the 150th anniversary of Kim Gu's birth. The platform also provides information on the "2026 Patriots' Facilities Stamp Tour — Memory Check-In," in which visitors who collect stamps at 90 national memorial sites linked to the Independence Hall of Korea can receive commemorative gifts.

Paju, Andong among historic destinations seeing surge in searches

Digital travel platform Agoda recommended Andong, Cheonan, Paju and Gongju as destinations tied to "historycation" — a travel trend combining history and vacation — for visitors seeking a deeper cultural and historical experience.

Paju, where August accommodation searches jumped 127 percent, offers a look at Korea's divided history through Imjingak Pyeonghwa-nuri Park and the Third Infiltration Tunnel monorail. Andong, up 51 percent in searches, is known for traditional culture experiences at Hahoe Folk Village and Imcheonggak, the historic home that produced 11 independence fighters. Gongju, with searches up 39 percent, draws visitors to Baekje heritage sites including the Tomb of King Muryeong and Gongsanseong Fortress. Cheonan, where travel interest rose 3 percent, is home to the Independence Hall of Korea, the birthplace of independence activist Yu Gwan-sun and Aunae Marketplace.

Three national arboretums to offer free admission for four days

Free admission at Korea Arboretum and Garden Institute sites for Liberation Day

The Korea Arboretum and Garden Institute is offering free admission through Monday at three national arboretums: the National Baekdudaegan Arboretum in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province; the National Sejong Arboretum in Sejong; and the National Arboretum of Korean Native Plants in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. The National Baekdudaegan Arboretum is running a special Rose of Sharon exhibition titled "Flowers That Bloom Without End," along with a 10 percent discount on garden shop products. The National Sejong Arboretum is hosting a QR code Rose of Sharon quiz event, evening cultural performances and a puppet show. The National Arboretum of Korean Native Plants is running "Summer Flower Week," featuring ecological commentary on summer blooms such as Aster koraiensis and purple loosestrife, along with an exhibition of native plant artwork.

The Rose of Sharon garden at Cheollipo Arboretum

Cheollipo Arboretum in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, is also running a special Rose of Sharon program through Monday, opening its Rose of Sharon Garden and Rose of Sharon Variety Conservation Center to the public. Visitors can tour 386 taxa of Rose of Sharon with commentary from a professional gardener. The entrance garden is also hosting a summer flower pot exhibition featuring Rose of Sharon, water lilies and daylilies.

National Museum of Korea to extend hours by one hour

The National Museum of Korea will extend its opening hours by one hour through Monday, after visitor numbers in the first half of this year reached about 3.795 million — a nearly 40 percent increase from about 2.716 million during the same period last year. Opening time moves up 30 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and closing time shifts back 30 minutes from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday late-night openings will continue as usual until 9 p.m.

Seodaemun Prison shines light on women independence fighters

Seodaemun Prison History Hall in Seoul [Korea Tourism Organization]

The Seodaemun Prison History Hall, in partnership with the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), has opened a revamped special exhibition in the women's prison wing titled "In My Name — Hidden Names." The exhibition reexamines the lives of women independence fighters held in the wing — including Yu Gwan-sun, Eo Yun-hui, So Eun-myeong, Im Myeong-ae, Park Jin-hong and Lee Byeong-hui — and reflects on their identities and convictions as people known by prison numbers rather than their names.

The revamped exhibition reconstructs the daily lives of women independence fighters in prison and key independence movement events based on historical records. Hologram demonstration technology brings historical figures to life through immersive content. No advance reservation is required; visitors can enter during regular museum hours.

Reading the mind of Kim Gu

The Independence Hall of Korea is marking Liberation Day with a special exhibition, "Baekbeom's Thoughts and Will, Illuminating the Whole World," running through Dec. 13 in the donated materials gallery and Special Exhibition Hall II inside Hall 7. The exhibition honors independence fighter Kim Gu's aspirations for self-reliant independence and national unity, on the occasion of this year's 150th anniversary of his birth being designated a UNESCO commemorative year.

The exhibition title draws on the phrase "wolin cheongang" — cited by Eom Hang-seop in his eulogy at Kim Gu's funeral — which evokes the image of a single moon reflected across countless rivers, suggesting that Kim's thoughts and will have transcended time to illuminate the world today.

The exhibition is divided into two parts: the first uses donated original materials to explore Kim Gu's spirit of self-reliant independence and peace, while the second reinterprets his legacy through video and interactive content, including six AI-generated films. Together, the two parts trace the path Kim Gu walked toward independence and national unity and explore how his vision continues to resonate today.

Meanwhile, Seoul Land is offering free admission Saturday to customers who share their name with any of 10 independence fighters — Kim Gu, Ahn Jung-geun, Yun Bong-gil, Yu Gwan-sun, Ahn Chang-ho, Lee Bong-chang, Sin Chae-ho, Park Eun-sik, Hong Beom-do and Kim Jwa-jin. Up to three accompanying guests will receive 50 percent off admission. Participants can verify their name at the on-site ticket booth by presenting a government-issued ID.

terry@heraldcorp.com