Dark tourist destinations are attracting many local travelers who are visiting other regions within the country. Korea's port city of Busan is one of the cities to see the number of its tourists rise...thanks to several historical sites where people come to learn dark past of the nation.
Cho Sungmin has the story.
This house in Korea's southern port city of Busan is one of many registered cultural properties of the nation's Cultural Heritage Administration.
The lavish flat, built in 1943, was initially owned by a Japanese businessman.
It then became a residential building for a U.S. military officer after World War II, and eventually became one of the biggest brothels in the city catering mostly to Japanese tourists.
After so many tragic and sinister events happening under its roof, the house has become one of the city's most popular 'dark tourism' sites.
Dark tourism refers to the practice of visiting places historically involved in tragedies or death. Other well-known dark tourism sites are the Catacombs of Paris and the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.
The residence in Busan, also known as the 'Culture Empathy House,'...has been featured in films, movies, and music videos. Now, it's a place that teaches about the dark events that Korea endured in the first half of the 20th century.
"It's truly a treasure of Busan, as it teaches the young generation about the nation's past."
In that vein, a copper mine and a Japanese artillery encampment near the coastline are also popular dark-tourism sites.
Both the copper mine and the artillery base were built by local residents who were coerced into labor by Japan.
History experts say it is ideal to see the popularity of dark tourism sites in Korea grow, as they shed light on historic facts and raise awareness on the nation's past.
Cho Sung-min, arirang news.
