The War Memorial of Korea (Korean: 전쟁기념관) is a museum located in Yongsan-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It opened in 1994 on the former site of the army headquarters to exhibit and memorialize the military history of Korea. It was built for the purpose of preventing war through lessons from the Korean War and for the hoped for peaceful reunification of North and South Korea. The memorial building has six indoor exhibition rooms and an outdoor exhibition centre displaying war memorabilia and military equipment from China, South Korea and the United States.[2]
The construction of the War Memorial of Korea was completed in December 1993. The project was carried out in consultation with military experts while collecting a wide range of exhibition items from at home and abroad. Upon the completion of the interior, the memorial opened officially on June 10, 1994, and became the largest landmark of its kind in the world.[citation needed]
Located on the old site of Army Headquarters, the War Memorial of Korea has three above-ground floors of exhibits.[3] It also has two underground floors in the main building, which stands on an area of about 20,000 m2 (220,000 sq ft).
In cloistered left and right galleries, flanking the facade of the main building, are rows of black marble monuments inscribed with the names of those who died during the Korean War, Vietnam War, clashes with North Korea since the Korean War and of policemen who died on duty. The plaza in the museum compound has an artificial waterfall, and around it are widespread rest areas so that visitors can picnic while enjoying the pleasant landscape. In the center of the plaza stands the Statue of Brothers, the elder a South Korean soldier and the younger a North Korean soldier, which symbolizes the situation of Korea's division.
6,300 items are displayed in seven halls and an outdoor exhibition area. There is a Memorial Hall, War History Room, Korean War Room, Expeditionary Forces Room, ROK Armed Forces Room, Exhibition Hall for Donated Artifacts, and Exhibition of Large Military Equipments.[3]
The exhibitions show weapons and equipment from prehistoric times to the modern period,[4] as well as depictions of notable military and militant figures. About 100 large weapons are displayed in the outside exhibition area on the lawns around the building.
Upon entering the memorial halls, this English text is inscribed:
Inscribed on this memorial are the names of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces Soldiers and Policemen killed in the Armed Forces Activation, Korean War, Vietnam War and Counter Infiltration Operation and the United Nations Forces Soldiers killed in the Korean War.
de Havilland Canada U-6A Beaver 51–16837 (manufacturer number 386 and 1190). This aircraft was delivered to the U.S. Army as an L-20A on October 24, 1952. In 1962, this type of aircraft was re-designated the U-6A Beaver. Under the Military Assistance Program, it was transferred to the Republic of Korea Air Force.[5]
Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando 44–78541. This aircraft was built in 1944. This aircraft served with the 45th Troop Carrier Troop Squadron in the Pacific Theater during WWII. It was eventually operated as a TC-46D Commando training aircraft by the 2578th Reserve Flying Training Center at Ellington AFB, Texas until being mothballed in April 1956. It returned to service with the 1st Air Commando WingatEglin AFB, Florida, in 1963. It was finally transferred to the ROKAF as part of the Cold War-era Military Assistance Program on September 25, 1968.[6]
Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar marked as 53–3199. Formerly a C-119F, it was converted into a C-119G between 1955 and 1957 before being transferred to the Republic of China Air Force in 1970. It was later donated to the War Memorial of Korea and repainted with USAF markings.
Boeing B-52D Stratofortress 55–0105. This aircraft is one of only three B-52s displayed outside the US. Served with the 4258th Strategic Wing at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand during the Vietnam War and the 96th Bombardment WingatDyess AFB, Texas. It is currently on a long-term loan to the War Memorial of Korea.
Grumman S-2A Tracker 13–6707. This aircraft served with the US Navy's Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 28 (VS-28) (initially nicknamed the "Hukkers" and later, the "Gamblers") aboard USS Wasp (CVS-18) beginning in 1962. Eventually, it was retired and transferred to ROKAF in 1972. During a reorganization of the Korean armed forces, it was later reassigned to the ROK Navy.[8]
North American F-51D-25-NA Mustang 44–73494. This aircraft was built at North American Aviation's Inglewood, California plant in 1944. It eventually served with the 109th Fighter Squadron of the Minnesota ANG, where it was stationed until 1952. In July of that year, it was transferred to the ROKAF as aircraft to serve in the Korean War, marked as aircraft "K-205".[9]
Northrop F-5A-40-NO Freedom Fighter 68–9046 (construction number 6412). This aircraft was one of the 190 F-5A airframes made for the ROKAF. It has a long serving career, flying with the ROKAF as late as 2000.[12] It is currently painted with the twin tiger head insignia applied to all ROKAF F-5s.[13]
McDonnell Douglas F-4C-23-MC Phantom II 64–0766. This aircraft served with the USAF's 12th Tactical Fighter Wing in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1970. It was transferred to the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB, South Korea. It was later used to train USAF air crews and went on to fly with the Illinois ANG's 170th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the Oregon ANG's 123rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron. After its flying career ended, it was transferred to Suwon AB, South Korea in August 1986 to be used as damage-control trainer before being put on display at the War Memorial of Korea.[14]
Shenyang J-6. This aircraft is a Chinese-made copy of the Soviet MiG-19 "Farmer". This particular aircraft was flown by KPAF defector Captain Lee Ung-Pyeong to South Korea 25 February 1983.
Cessna T-41B Mescalero 67–15054. This aircraft flew with U.S. Army until it was sent to the ROKAF in 1971 as part of the Military Assistance Program to be used as a trainer. It is now marked "T-045."
North American T-28A Trojan 51–7830. This aircraft was flown by the USAF as a trainer before being sent to the ROKAF in February 1961. This aircraft still wears its USAF "TA-830" buzz number.
Cessna T-37C Tweet 72–1366. This aircraft was sold to the Republic of Korea Air Force and marked as "21366.".[15] This aircraft type served with the ROKAF as a trainer, FAC, and light attack aircraft.
Sikorsky H-5H Dragonfly 49–2007. This helicopter was built 1949 under a USAF contract. For November 1960 to May 1960, it served with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as N6591D before being donated to the USAF Museum and eventually loaned to the War Memorial of Korea.[18]
Sikorsky HH-19B Chickasaw 53–4425. This helicopter was delivered to the USAF as a H-19B on September 2, 1954. It served in the USAF as a troop carrier and was eventually modified for air-sea rescue work and re-designated as an SH-19B (in 1962, all SH-19Bs were re-designated as HH-19Bs). It was eventually sent to the ROKAF in 1964.[19]
Aerospatiale SA319B Alouette III 770301. This helicopter formerly served with the ROK Navy. This aircraft sank a DPRK infiltration craft disguised as a fishing vessel with AS.11 missiles on 13 August 1983, killing 5 North Korean servicemen. This helicopter is painted with a kill marking commemorating the event.
Samgakji Station exit 12
Samgakji Station exit 12
