War Memorial Painting the Picture of Peace

There are a total of about 9,500 pieces on display at the War Memorial, and it is the most famous memorial hall possessing and exhibiting the most artifacts related to the Korean War. The indoor and outdoor exhibit spaces spanning an area of approximately 678,100 square feet (63,000 sq m) are composed of seven exhibition rooms such as the Memorial Hall, War History Room Ⅰ and Ⅱ, Korean War Room Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ, Exhibition Hall for Donated Relics, Expeditionary Forces Room, ROK Armed Forces Room, and the Large Industries Equipment Room, as well an outdoor exhibition area with various large-sized weapons and structures.

The Korean War Combatant Nation Monuments are displayed in Peace Plaza and were installed to express the appreciation of the people of the Republic of Korea for countries that participated in the Korean War in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the UN back in 2015. There are 21 monuments to represent the combat units from 16 countries and medical support units from 5 countries under the flag of the UN. The country name, period of participation, scope of participation, total number of participants, number of wounded, number of killed, and tributes to the veterans are written in the respective languages on each of the monuments.

The Korean War Monument made up of two massive streamlined columns facing each other and springing up into the sky is an embodiment of the Korean bronze dagger called the Sehyung Bronze Dagger, and it expresses the two images of a bronze dagger and the tree of life. The bronze dagger represents the long history and martialism of the Korean people and the tree of life expresses the strength of the Korean people that continues to thrive even through hardships.

To the left and right of the War Memorial is the Monument of KIA (Killed in Action) in an open-square shape. On this monument, about 170,000 soldiers and police names of those who were killed since the establishment of the army are engraved, along with the 40,000 UN Forces that were killed during the Korean War for a total of 210,000 people killed in action.

The War Memorial of Korea is also additionally engraved with the names of those found to have been killed in action later or who were killed recently, six soldiers from the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong in 2002, and a monument of 46 Navy seamen on the Cheonanham of 2010 were added.

The semi-spherical dome under the brothers was built by piling up granite collected from around the nation to represent a tomb, and it symbolizes the sacrifices of countless patriotic martyrs.Maps of 16 countries that fought in the Korean War are engraved on the floor of the dome and the multiple steel chains tied up on the ceiling represent the unity of the Korean people that never want Korea to be divided again. The southern part of the mosaic murals filling the gaps express the national spirit, and the northern mural represents that the national disaster of the Korean War was overcome thanks to the devotion of the whole nation.

Memorial Hall is a space for remembering the sacrifices of the countless patriotic martyrs who protected our country in times of war. This exhibition room displays the trials and victories of the Korean people, unification and prosperity, and the perpetuity of Koreans through works such as Footmarks of Patriotism, Creation and Spirit of the Nation.

Korean War Rooms Ⅰ and Ⅱ exhibit the entire history including the background for North Korea's invasion of South Korea, the progress of the war, and the signing of the armistice, as well as the reality of war such as how people lived during the war. Visitors can experience realistic situations of the war through 4D videos of the 'Incheon Landing Operation' that turned the tides of the war and Another War that deals with the Battles of Chosin Reservoir.

The Exhibition Hall for Donated Relics introduces the stories behind donated relics and it is a place to express appreciation to those who practiced the beauty of donating. At the Donor Hall of Fame at the entrance of the hall, nameplates with the name of the donor who donated artifacts and the date of donation are on display to express gratitude to the donors. This exhibition hall includes exhibition spaces such as Patriotic Loyalty of Ancestors, Oh, Korean War, Vietnam War and PKO Activities, etc. In particular, visitors can see 102 relics from General Yang Heon-soo who warded off the French military during the French Campaign against Korea.