As the name suggests, the Busan Modern History Museum traces the city’s major events starting in 1876 when the international port opened. It explains in great detail the impacts by the Japanese, Korean War and Americans. The building also is an integral part of local history. After the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905, Korea lost its sovereignty and the Japanese established the Oriental Development Company to colonize Korea. This structure was built as their local office in Basan. After World War II, the transitional government was managed by USAMGIK from 1945 until 1948. The United States used the building to house their Information Agency (USIS).
