The War Memorial of Korea

You can’t mention South Korea without thinking about its history. It is a past hunted by war between North Korea and South Korea. The war started on the 25^th of June 1950 and ended on the 27^th of July 1953, with both sides ceasing fire without a treaty. So, they are technically still at war.

It is estimated that a total of 2.5 million people were killed and wounded within the three years of war. Fast-forward 62 years later, there is a memorial dedicated for the remembrance of the lives of fallen soldiers and civilians. The historical War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관), which opened in 1994, is located in Yongsan-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (용산동, 용산구, 서울). Outside the entrance of the memorial are sculptures that are worth a thousand words, like the sculpture that captures the warm embrace shared between a soldier and his brother and the sculpture that displays patriotic line of Koreans from various age group and gender. They give off so much emotion and in a sense are very empowering. You can get a glimpse of the tumultuous history of South Korea through various outdoor and indoor exhibits. Admission is free.

The exhibits outdoor includes various number of actual aircrafts used in the war by Korea and the Allies, like Shenyang J-6 and North American P-51 Mustang. The ground machines where not left out. You can also checkout a display of ground equipment, like tanks, self-propelled guns, howitzers, tank destroyers, and many more. You are allowed to enter a few of the tanks. Additionally, the outdoor display includes a replica of PKM-357 vessel damaged in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong (제2연평해전).

There are also a variety of exhibits indoor. Some of the exhibits are smart-room exhibits, which enhance the viewer’s experience using interactive technology. Others are filled with displays of ammunition that give you an idea of the technology of that time. There are also preserved files and artifacts from the war. Here is a list of a few of the different exhibits indoor.

War History: highlights wars from prehistoric era to the Japanese colonial period. Features ammunitions, relics, victory records, military vessels, and many more.

Korean War: features Korean War ammunitions, simulations of events during the war, stories, and artifacts.

Memorial Hall: symbolic area which features a beam of sunlight passing straight down onto a bowl of overflowing water. It carries a reviving symbolism of the living remembering the dead.

Expeditionary Forces: provides a glimpse of the role Korea played in Vietnam War

Defense Industry: offers replica of weaponry produced in Korea, like destroyers and submarines.

Article by Esther from the U.S.A.