[Harumanbo Harucheonja] Independence Hall in Autumn: Walk, Learn, and Capture 'Ilseokdajo'

The Independence Hall of Korea, located in Cheonan, was built on a site of 1.2 million pyeong with Heukseongsan Mountain as its backdrop. This place, where you can learn the entire 5,000-year history of Korea, consists of a total of eight exhibition halls: following the back of the Gyeore House, the largest tiled-roof house in East Asia, there are the 1st Exhibition Hall "Roots of the Nation," 2nd Exhibition Hall "Nation's Ordeal," 3rd Exhibition Hall "Defending the Country," 4th Exhibition Hall "Peaceful World," 5th Exhibition Hall "Regaining the Nation," 6th Exhibition Hall "Building a New Nation," 7th Exhibition Hall "Joint Independence Movement," and a three-dimensional video hall. The Independence Hall is not just about exhibition halls. Passing the Tower of the Nation and before reaching the Gyeore House, Baekryeon Pond covers an area of approximately 26,446 square meters and holds 50,000 tons of freshwater. The water in this pond flows in through a channel from the summit of Heukseongsan Mountain. The outer embankment is gently terraced with soil treatment while placing natural stones to preserve the continuity of the terrain, creating green spaces and shaded areas with trees, making it a beautiful resting place accessible to visitors.

View from Baengnyeon Pond [Photo by Independence Hall of Korea]

Within the grounds of the Independence Hall, there are outdoor exhibits such as monuments inscribed with poems and sayings of patriotic ancestors. These include inscriptions of the indomitable national spirit and the will for independent sovereignty of patriotic ancestors who overcame national crises, such as Admiral Yi Sun-sin from the traditional era and Kim Gu who led the independence movement during the Japanese colonial period. The noble sacrifices and precious patriotism condensed in these brief writings will be eternally engraved in our hearts and passed down.

A hill of unification wishes was created as a historical education site to pray for the peaceful reunification of the homeland and to pass on that will to future generations. The symbolic sculpture is a conical rainbow shape with a bell installed at its center, symbolically expressing the will to realize reunification through the ringing of the bell, representing the unity of South and North Korea. Additionally, a space for public participation has been prepared to engrave the people's wishes for reunification on bricks for permanent preservation for future generations.

Maple Tree Forest Path inside the Independence Hall
[Photo by Independence Hall]

The Maple Tree Forest Path stretches about 4 km from the Joseon Governor-General's Office Exhibition Park within the grounds to the entrance of the Hill of Unification Wishes. On both sides of the 4-meter-wide paved path, 2,000 maple trees are planted. Walking through the maple forest path takes about an hour, and especially in autumn, the red-colored maple leaves form tunnels in many places, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the autumn atmosphere. The memorial site, a space to honor the noble intentions of patriotic ancestors and pledge the eternal prosperity of the nation, is located at the upper part of the Independence Hall. This place is surrounded like a folding screen by a wall relief 105 meters wide and 3 to 7 meters high, with a stone altar and a continuously flowing fountain in the center, and beacon towers installed on both sides of the wall relief.

View of the House of the Nation from Baekryeon Pond [Photo provided by the Independence Hall]

The Independence Hall of Korea holds an autumn photo contest open to all citizens to introduce and promote the beautiful natural scenery of the Independence Hall. Visitors can capture the autumn atmosphere in photos and submit them through the Independence Hall website by November 12. Participants can submit up to five works per person, and the contest period is from September 22 to November 12. The results of the contest are scheduled to be announced on November 28. A total of 15 works will be selected in the contest. A representative of the Independence Hall stated, "We hope families and couples who love the red autumn scenery will spend happy and laughter-filled times together, and we encourage active participation and interest in this contest that everyone can join and enjoy."