Pear Blossom Villa

Pear Blossom Villa

Pear Blossom Villa is located in Pear Blossom-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It was the former residence of South Korea’s first President, Syngman Rhee, and the place where he conceived and announced the list of the country’s first Cabinet. It holds significant historical importance in Korea. Today, the villa houses five exhibition rooms dedicated to commemorating Syngman Rhee, and his adopted son, Lee In-soo, resides here and is responsible for receiving visitors.

Pear Blossom Villa has been opened to the public as a memorial to house the home where former President Syngman Rhee and his wife, Francesca Donner, once lived together, allowing visitors to gain a vivid and tangible understanding of their lives. The first exhibition room served as the President’s office, the second is the entrance hall of the house displaying relevant relics, the third was the bedroom of Syngman Rhee and his wife, Francesca Donner, and the fourth and fifth rooms are the kitchen, exhibiting items that reflect their living conditions at the time. The lower level of the memorial is a living quarters built in 1985, where Francesca Donner lived until her passing in 1992. Dr. Lee In-soo also currently resides here.

Not far from Pear Blossom Villa stands a small building called the Cabinet Formation Hall. From the outside, it is a very modest single-room structure, but it holds great historical significance because it is where former President Syngman Rhee conceived and announced the Cabinet lineup. The walking path near the Cabinet Formation Hall is pleasantly scenic, and it is said that Syngman Rhee often took walks there. A bronze statue of Syngman Rhee stands nearby, attracting visitors who come to pay their respects.

Ihwajang

Must-visit reason: One of the most historically significant sites in Korea

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Korea[Korea]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Seoul Special City [Seoul Special City]

City where the attraction is located: Jongno-gu [Jongno-gu]