Honam Customs Museum is the main building of the former Gunsan Customs House in Jangmi-dong, now used as the Honam Customs Exhibition Hall; all annex buildings were torn down.
The main building is a single-story Western-style building built in June 1908, during the Korean Empire, in the 1st Gunsan Port harbor construction project. All annex buildings were torn down, and only the main building remains. With the Bank of Korea headquarters and the old Seoul Station building, it is one of the 3 major Western classical-style buildings remaining in Korea.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1 · 2 photos
Tourist information in Gunsan: 8 tourist information centers, free tours by culture and tourism guides and the 47-point Gunsan stamp tour, with hours, departure times and completion rules
Honam Customs Museum in detail
The Honam Customs Museum building is the old Gunsan Customs House main building, built in June 1908
The Honam Customs Museum main building was built in June 1908, the 2nd year of Emperor Sunjong of the Korean Empire. At that time, Gunsan Port was undergoing the 1st harbor construction project (1905–1910), which began in 1905 with Korean Empire funds. The building is a single-story Western-style structure with a floor area of about 69 pyeong. source 1
The style of the Honam Customs Museum main building: a British-style porch canopy, Romanesque windows and a Gothic roof
The Honam Customs Museum building (the former Gunsan Customs House main building) is one of the 3 major Western classical-style buildings remaining in Korea. A British-style porch canopy projecting forward, Romanesque windows, and a Gothic roof are combined in one building. Mixing styles from several European countries like this is a feature of early modern Japanese architecture. source 1
The Honam Customs Museum main building: accounts of its designer and Belgian bricks, and a 2011 filming location
The former Gunsan Customs House had several annex buildings, but all were torn down, leaving only the main building now used as the Honam Customs Museum. One account says a French or German architect designed the main building and that red bricks and other materials were imported from Belgium. The 2011 film The Man of White Porcelain: Becoming the Soil of Joseon was also shot in this building. source 1
Honam Customs Museum admission, closing day, parking, and travel courses
Honam Customs Museum is free to enter, is closed every Monday, and has parking. Hours are 10:00–17:00 (Gunsan Culture and Tourism). It is included in the Modern Cultural Heritage Tour (Course 1), the Arirang Course, the 2-Night, 3-Day Course, and others. source 2
Which day of the week is the Honam Customs Museum closed?
It is closed every Monday. Admission is free, you can park, and the phone number for inquiries is 063-730-8721. source 1
Were any movies filmed at Honam Customs Museum?
Yes. The film 'The Man of White Porcelain: Becoming the Soil of Joseon' (2011) was shot in this building, the Honam Customs Museum main building. source 2
When was Honam Customs Museum built?
It was built in June 1908. That was during the 1st Gunsan Port harbor construction project (1905–1910), which began with Korean Empire funds. It is a single-story Western-style building with a floor area of about 69 pyeong. It is said that a French or German person designed it and that the red bricks and other materials were brought from Belgium. source 2
What architectural style is the Honam Customs Museum building?
It mixes several European styles in one building, and overall it shows features of early modern Japanese architecture. The roof follows the Gothic style and the windows the Romanesque style, and the porch canopy projecting forward is British in style. It is one of the 3 major Western classical-style buildings remaining in Korea. source 2
Which buildings remain at the Honam Customs Museum?
Only the main building remains. There were several annex buildings, but all were torn down, and the main building is now used as the Honam Customs Exhibition Hall. source 2
Who designed the Honam Customs Museum building?
One account says a French or German architect designed it. Another story says red bricks and other building materials were imported from Belgium. source 2
How many pyeong is the Honam Customs Museum building?
It is a single-story Western-style building with a floor area of about 69 pyeong. It was built in June 1908 as the Honam Customs Museum main building. source 2
Modern History Museumstraight-line 110 m
Jangmi Gallerystraight-line 180 m
Former Joseon Food Corporation Gunsan Branch Officestraight-line 200 m
Meokbangiwa Chingudeulstraight-line 40 m
