The red-brick walls and narrow iron grates of Seodaemun Prison have stood as stark monuments to Korea’s darkest hours under Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. Thousands of independence advocates — from teenagers to prominent scholars — were incarcerated within its brick corridors. Today, that solemn landmark has transformed into an enduring sanctuary of civic memory, connecting generations of Koreans to the sacrifice behind their modern democracy. This week, as Korea prepares to mark the 81st anniversary of National Liberation Day on Aug. 15, the historic site will once again become the epicenter of national reflection. Seodaemun District said Monday that it will host the 2026 Seodaemun Independence and Democracy Festival from Aug. 15 to 16 at the Seodaemun Prison History Hall and the adjacent Seodaemun Independence Park. The two-day annual gathering, which drew 150,000 attendees last year, blends solemn commemoration with modern cultural programming. Under the theme "United in the Light of Liberation," the district plans to deploy cutting-edge exhibition technologies alongside commu