The War Memorial of Korea was opened on the former site of the Army headquarters to exhibit and memorialize the military history of Korea. Featuring various monuments and landmarks that recognize the impact of the Korean War on the past and in the present, it highlights a real connection to the goal of a peaceful reunification of North and South Korea in a way that resonates across eras.
The Protection of the Nation
Established in 1994 by the War Memorial Service Korea Society to commemorate the noble sacrifice of patriotic martyrs, the museum houses approximately 33,000 artifacts with about 10,000 on display at indoor aside exhibitions. However, the monuments and memorials on the grounds of the museums highlight connections with the history and culture of the conflict and the entire region in an especially powerful manner.
The Korea War Memorial was constructed to commentate the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and is intended to establish a foundation of peaceful reconsecration in the future. It features a Korean War Tower, Statues of Patriots and a Stone Bowl. The detailed sculptures represent the conflict that occurred between members of the north and south of the country that defined the conflict.
Nearby is the Statue of Brothers which has become a symbol of the conflicts implicit in the Korean War. The lower tomb-shaped dome was built with pieces of granite collected from nationwide locations, with info and objects inside the dome including a mosaic wall painting that expresses the spirit of the Korean people to overcome the national tragedy associated with the war. It symbolizes the Korean people’s wishes for national peace and reunification.
The Clock Tower of Peace, Roll of Honor and The Gwanggaeto Stele are just a few of the other notable landmarks on the site, all of which have enabled different levels of engagement with residents and visitors. These connections highlight what it can mean to see landmarks and attractions enable a whole new level of connection with the past and future.
Engagement Across the Eras
The War Memorial of Korea is a landmark in and of itself, but the multiple monuments and memorials that define the entire attraction highlight what it can mean to create additional engagement. In doing so, these monuments and memorials showcase how sites of all types can enable a different level of connection with history and culture that is as distinct as it is powerful to audiences of all types.
