Deep in a forest in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, lies the Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, known as one of the scariest places in the country. Built in the 1960s, this hospital was once a treatment facility for many psychiatric patients before it suddenly shut down in the early 1990s. The official reason given was poor sanitation and deteriorating facilities. However, the eerie rumors surrounding the hospital have made it one of the most infamous haunted locations in South Korea.
The peeling walls, endless dark hallways, and dust-covered rooms create a heavy, terrifying atmosphere. Many believe that this hospital is not just an abandoned place but also a site where restless spirits still linger.
Terrifying Stories Inside the Hospital
There are countless eerie rumors about Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, with those who have dared to enter sharing horrifying experiences.
- Mysterious Sounds: Many have reported hearing footsteps echoing behind them, even though no one was there. Unexplained whispers and moans drifting through the empty rooms have sent chills down the spines of visitors.
- Mysterious White Figures: Some claim to have seen a white shadow gliding through the hallways or appearing faintly in photos and videos they captured.
- Objects Moving on Their Own: Doors suddenly swing open and slam shut without any visible cause. Flashlights of explorers flicker or go out entirely without explanation.
Numerous stories have circulated about patients who perished within the hospital. During the years 1910-1945, historical records from the National Archives of Korea suggest that the haunted Gonjiam Hospital was once a Japanese military hospital during the period of Japanese occupation of Korea. According to Wikipedia, Japanese medical facilities were linked to Unit 731—a notorious organization that conducted inhumane biological weapon experiments on human subjects, including live surgeries without anesthesia and direct virus testing on living bodies. These horrifying acts are believed to have trapped the souls of the victims, preventing them from moving on. Others believe that the hospital is haunted by abandoned spirits—wandering, resentful souls unable to find peace.
Where Does Fear Come From? – A Psychological Perspective
There is no denying that the gloomy atmosphere, dilapidated surroundings, and chilling rumors have all contributed to the overwhelming sense of fear surrounding Gonjiam Hospital. According to psychologists, this fear could stem from pareidolia—a cognitive phenomenon in which the human brain perceives familiar shapes or sounds in random stimuli, such as darkness or the sound of the wind.
Additionally, stress-induced hallucinations may cause individuals inside the hospital to “see” or “feel” unusual phenomena. The sensation of being watched and hearing strange noises could merely be a product of heightened imagination, influenced by the eerie environment and widespread ghost stories.
However, despite scientific explanations, Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital remains a subject of debate. Are these paranormal occurrences merely tricks of the mind, or is something truly lurking in the darkness?
Fear may be a creation of the human psyche, but there are still mysteries that science cannot yet explain. Due to the overwhelming number of rumors and ghostly tales surrounding Gonjiam Hospital, the owner decided to demolish the entire structure in 2018, after 20 years of abandonment. Despite no longer existing, the chilling legends of Gonjiam continue to haunt the minds of many, solidifying its place in Korean horror culture.
