Korea is a country divided and to understand it better, one of the best ways is a visit to the War Memorial of Korea. This war museum in Seoul provides an informative look at the Korean war and what has led to the current day situation of South and North Korea.
The War Memorial of Korea is located at in the district of Itaewon, opposite from the Ministry of Defence.
Overview of the War Memorial of Korea
The museum is located on large grounds, befitting of the weighty subject of the different conflicts that have taken place on the Korean peninsula.
As you walk up to the war museum building, you will pass by the Korean War Memorial, a monument to the sacrifices made to secure South Korea’s free.
At the Peace Plaza, the flags of the nations that participated in the Korean War are proudly displayed as if on parade.
The main building of the War Memorial of Korea has multiple rooms and galleries. There is The Memorial Hall, The War History Room, The Korean War Room, The Expeditionary Forces Room, The ROK Armed Forces Room, The Exhibition Hall for Donated Artifacts, and The Exhibition of Large Military Equipments. These make up the indoor areas.
There is also an outdoor area that displays military hardware and a children’s museum at the rear of the War Memorial building, just behind the outdoor display area.
6 Must-See Sights at the War Memorial of Korea
There’s a lot to take in at the War Memorial of Korea and you may well get fatigued going through all the rooms, especially with such a weighty subject like war. The museum covers the Korean war as well as other conflicts that have taken place on the Korean peninsula, dating back to prehistoric times.
If you are pressed for time, or just wish to zoom in on key exhibits or galleries at the war museum, here are 5 of our picks of must-see spots that you should look out for when paying a visit to the War Memorial of Korea.
The Statue of Brothers
This moving monument on the museum grounds is 18 meters wide and 11 meters tall and a symbol of the Korean War. It depicts the moment when two brothers, one on the side of the south and the other on the north, meet on the battle field. It captures the desire of the Korean people for reunification.
The Statue of Brothers is full of symbolism.
The upper part of The Statue of Brothers shows the moment when a South Korean officer and his younger brother, a North Korean soldier, encounter each other and embrace on the battle filed.
The lower part of the statue is shaped like a tomb. It is built with pieces of granite collected from locations across Korea and is symbolic of the sacrifices made by South Korean patriots.
The crack in the tomb-like structure represents the division of Korea while links of iron chain on the inside of the structure is symbolic of the unbreakable bonds of a unified Korea.
Inside the lower section of The Statue of Brothers is a mosaic wall painting that shows the spirit of the Korea people and the 16 United National countries that came to the aid of South Korea.
Overall, the statue is one that expresses the hope for reconciliation, love and forgiveness.
The Korean War Room I
The main entrance to the War Memorial of Korea opens to the second floor of the building. The first gallery to the left of the entrance is The Korean War Room I, which provides insights into the invasion of the South by North Korea and the counter attack.
In this gallery, you can learn about the background to the separation of the Korean peninsula, causes of the Korean War, and the events leading up to the North Korean invasion of South Korea.
On the 25 June 1950, the North Korean People’s Army crossed the 38th parallel line and invaded South Korea. The next day, the United Nations called for a withdrawal of the invading army but by the 28th of June, the North Korean People’s Army had entered the northeastern part of the Seoul. The Republic of Korean army had to retreat, blowing up the Han River bridge in the process.
In July 1950, the United Nations resolved to install the United Nations Command with General Douglas MacArthur as the United Nations Forces Commander.
This eventually led to the surprise amphibious landings at Incheon and the counter-attack by United Nations forces. South Korean Marines, United States marines and infantry troops arrived at the outskirts of Seoul before crossing the Han river and engaging in street battles to in the city on September 25. Eventually, Seoul was recaptured from the North Koreans on September, 28, 1950, three months after the fall of the city.
The Korean War Room II
The story of the Korean War carries on at The Korean War Room II.
This charts out the push northwards into North Korea before the Chinese got involved, the armistice that ended the war back at where it started again. It also deals with the consequences of the war.
Following the success of the Incheon Land Operation that led to the recovery of Seoul, the United Nations approved the operations to unity Korea on October 7, 1950. The South Korean and United Nations forces then cross the 39th parallel line and advanced northwards.
This resulted in the Chinese Communist Forces intervening with the aim of securing the Korea-China border by keeping a communist regime in North Korea. To compensate for their poor weaponry and air superiority, the Chinese Communist Forces would make use of darkness to attack the South Korean army or infiltrate through the gap between South Korean and United Nations forces to cut off retreat routes.
The Chinese Community Forces would also make use of noise tactics like shouting, blowing bugles and beating gongs and drums as part of their tactics.
The Republic of Korea and United Nations forces were forced to withdraw back from the Korea-China border. They retreated back to 37th parallel and Seoul was evacuated in January 1951. After reorganizing, the Republic of Korea and United Nations forces counter-attacked and recovered Seoul on March 15, 1951.
It wouldn’t be until July 27, 1953 that the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, ending hostilities between North and South Korea. The armistice agreement was signed by General Mark W. Clark, United Nations Commander-in-Chief, Kim Il-sung, the leader of North Korea, and Peng Dehuai, the Commander of the Chinese Communist Forces. Ironically, the South Korean government was left out from the signing because the Korean War had been waged under a resolution of the United Nations.
Till today, the Korean War is considered as an unfinished war that should never be forgotten.
The ROK Armed Forces Room
On the third floor of the building, the ROK Armed Forces Room provides a present-day look at the modern fighting forces of South Korea.
The display here covers the different branches of the military. It was founded on August 15, 1948 and has reinvented itself over the years to be a ready, fighting force.
Since the armistice, the Republic of Korea armed forces have participated in the Vietnam War and served worldwide as part of United Nations missions.
After viewing The Korean War Room I and II, it is easier to get a better appreciation of why the South Korean armed forces train and view their mission so seriously.
The Exhibition of Large Military Equipments
This indoor exhibition displays military hardware used during the Korean War. Among the displays here is the F-51D Mustangs, the first fighters of the Republic of Korea Air Force. The plane recorded a total of 8,457 sorties during the Korean War.
Amongst the military equipment on display is Sherman medium tank as well as the Soviet T-34.
There is also a M46 Patton, the medium tank that was designed to replace the M4 Sherman. This was an upgrade to the M26 Pershing and had a 90 mm main gun. The example at the War Memorial of Korea has been painted with a tiger livery.
For us, the star exhibits of this indoor display is best viewed from the third floor. This is the North American F-86 Sabre and Soviet MiG-15. The two adversaries face of each other in the air above the floor of The Exhibition of Large Military Equipments.
While jet fighters were first developed by Germany at the end of World War II, it was during the Korean War that the first large scale jet to jet aerial battles took place. These were between the F-86 and MiG-15.
In action since 1949, the F-86 Saber was the main fighters for the United Nations forces on the Korean peninsula. The MiG-15 was developed in 1947 and was the communists forces main fighter, having been supplied to North Korea’s air force by the Soviet Union.
Open-air Exhibition Area
Outdoors at the side of the war museum building is the Open-air Exhibition Area.
On display include military hardware like tanks and armoured personnel carriers, alongside missile systems and also ships and airplanes, including a Boeing B-52D Stratofortress bomber.
There are also planes like the F4 Phantom on display.
You can even board some of the vehicles.
It is a dreamland for military enthusiasts.
You can also board a replica of PKM-375, the boat that was involved in a sea battle with North Korean forces in 2002 and eventually sunk.
Other Rooms and Galleries at the War Museum
There are also other rooms and galleries at the War Memorial of Korea. These include
- The Memorial Hall
- The Way of Defending the Fatherland
- The Korean War Room III – covers the role of the United Nations forces, including both combat forces and medical aid units, from 22 countries in the Korean War.
- The War History Room
- The Expeditionary Forces Room
- The Exhibition Hall of Donated Relics
- The Roll of Honor – a memorial on the exterior of the building that commemorates the sacrifice of fallen soldiers of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and police officers of the Republic of Korea during the various wars and conflicts, as well as the member of the United Nations Forces who died during the Korean War.
War Memorial of Korea Entrance Fee and Tickets
Admission to the War Memorial of Korea is free. No tickets are required.
War Memorial of Korea Opening Hours
The War Memorial of Korea is open from 9.30 am to 6 pm. The last entry is at 5 pm and the museum starts to close from 5.40 pm.
Take note that the War Memorial of Korea is closed every Monday.
How to Get to the War Memorial of Korea
The address of the War Memorial of Korea is 29, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 04353 (8, Yongsan-dong 1-ga).
It can be reached by either the number 6, number 4 or number 1 subway lines.
For the 6 Line, get off at Samgakji Station and take Exit 12. It is 3 minutes on foot to reach the War Memorial.
For the 4 Line, get off at Samgakji Station and take Exit 1. It is 5 minutes on foot to reach the War Memorial.
For the 1 Line, get off at Samgakji Station and take Exit 1. It is 3 minutes on foot to reach the War Memorial.
Visiting the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul
A visit to the War Memorial of Korea is an informative, intriguing and interesting thing to do in Seoul for anyone who is interested to learn more about the conflict. As many would know, the two Koreas are still technically at war and the threat of war still looms over the Korean peninsula.
After paying the war museum in Seoul a visit, you will come away with a much better understanding of the forces that have shaped the psyche of the South Korean people till today. Even though there are some exhibits in the galleries that are a bit grim and sobering, it is still something worth learning about.
In fact, this is so much so and that is why there is even a children’s museum at the War Memorial of Korea.
The War Memorial of Korea is located at 29, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 04353 (8, Yongsan-dong 1-ga). Admission is free.
Visit the War Memorial of Korea website.
