Underground Shelters

[Anchor Lead]

There are several secret underground shelters dotted across the city Seoul. Three such sites are undergoing renovations and will be open to the public. Here's a preview of an underground bunker, a closed subway station, and an old air-raid shelter

[Pkg]

A mysterious underground bunker was discovered in the middle of Yeouido in 2005. It was big enough to accommodate three to four thousand people and had sleeping quarters, bathrooms, and other convenient facilities. It was simply assumed to have been a secret presidential hideout from the 1970s, since no records about who, when or why it was built were discovered. Now the secret bunker that has been shrouded in mystery is getting ready to recieve visitors. The sofa and bathroom of this chamber presumably set up for a president have been restored to simulate their original forms. Also on display are the building materials suggestive of the thickness of the bunker walls and a bunch of keys found at the time. The rest of the space will be used to exhibit cultural and artistic works.

[Soundbite] Kim Jun-ki(Seoul Gov't Employee) : "An elevator and stairways were newly built and the interior has been remodeled and equipped with heating and cooling systems and fire-fighting equipment."

This is Sinseol-dong Station on Subway Line No.2. A door right next to the platform leads down to another platform concealed in darkness. This is the basement level three of Sinseol-dong Station, also called the "ghost station." It has remained closed for 43 years since the subway route was changed in 1974.

[Soundbite] Hyeon Seon-yeong(Seoul Museum of Art Supporters Assn.) : "In marking the opening the ghost station of Sinseol-dong Station to the public, we plan to hold a video presentation of the old Seoul."

This air-raid shelter built in Gyeonghuigung Palace by the Japanese occupational forces in 1944 against aerial attacks will also be shown to the public after its repair work is over. Visitors will be able to see the Yeouido underground bunker until 6 PM everyday. But the remaining two secret places will be open to reserved visitors only on weekends.