The War years are indeed the most devastating period of the human history. Despite how successful the nation of Korea is, it has experienced long war period from the hands of foreign invaders and even with their own brothers. The War Memorial of Korea is intended to honor the sacrifices of the soldiers, peacekeepers, and citizens who died during the war period, to commemorate peace and prevent war, and also to educate the future generation. It is established in the former site of the army headquarters to exhibit and memorialize the military history of Korea; a still place where one can entertain and oneself while looking back to this very important account.
The building is comprised of different halls, with over 13,000 war-related items: the Memorial Hall is dedicated to late patriots involved in the war presented in various ways such as in paintings and sculptures; War History, depicting the history of war from prehistoric era to colonial periods, displaying relics, war documents and other artifacts; Korean War, where visitors can learn about how the Korean war progressed, and the display of ammunition and other war remains; Expeditionary Forces, that depicts everything related to the Vietnam war and other connected events; ROK Armed Forces, narrating the progress of the nation’s defense system from the past until now; Defense Industry, shows replicas of state-of-the-art weapons such as submarines, destroyers, and communication apparatus.
More than 100 large military equipment and weapons are displayed in the outside exhibition area on the lawns around the building, where families can also set picnics while enjoying the warm atmosphere and fresh environment. Some of the most important relics are Replica of the PKM-357 patrol boat sunken during the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong and a North Korean semi-submersible captured near Dadawpo, Busan. A very remarkable sculpture is also established at the center of the plaza, called the Statue of Brothers, which symbolizes the situation of Korea’s divided nation, the elder South Korean soldier and the younger North Korean soldier.
*photo source: https://blog.naver.com/warmuse/220731997107
