Justice
The Popular Korean Attraction That Was a Forced-Labor Camp
Gwangmyeong Cave outside of Seoul is a crowd-pleasing hybrid of museum, light tunnel, and wine cellar—but its history is much darker.
Kim Su-hee, a 41-year-old teacher who lives near Seoul, had a pleasant date with her husband at the Gwangmyeong Cave this month. “I usually enjoy dating and sightseeing when my husband [has time off],” she said.
The cave is indeed a delightful choice for a date or family outing. One can see a 135-foot dragon sculpture known as “Lord of the Caves,” an underground aquarium, and a small hydroponic farm. From July through October, there was a Barbie Exhibition. There’s even a “Supernova of Wishes,” featuring 14,856 golden plaques upon which people have written their hopes. The Supernova of Wishes, according to English signage, “is teeming with powerful spiritual energy.”