The Seoul National Cemetery is the nation's sanctuary where the martyred patriots who sacrificed themselves for the defence and development of their country are resting in peace. It is also full of the spirit of the whole nation and patriotism which saved the nation in the great crisis. This national sanctuary is located on a plot of land measuring approximately 1,430,000㎡(343 acres); and, as though shield by a huge folding screen, the area towards the rear is surrounded by the spiritual Dong Jak bridge-lines, connecting to Mt. Gong Jak, forming the foothills of Mt. Gwan Ak.Towards the front, the cemetery overlooks the silently meandering the Han River. Enshrined here are the remains of approximately 165,000 patriot martyrs and war dead, patriots who fought for the liberation of the country; men of merit who sacrificed their lives for the development of the country and the wellbeing of the people; soldiers, policemen, and reserved army who died glorious deaths to defend their country in times of emergency, including the righteous army who fought against Japan during the Daehanjeguk Period (1897~1910 in Korea).
UN Memorial Cemetery in KOREA
Here at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea, the only one of its kind in the world, rest heroic braves from a number of UN nations, who sacrificed their lives for world peace and freedom.
Parliament of Korea, in order to honor the services and sacrifices made by the UN forces during the Korean War, volunteered this land for permanent use by UN as a cemetery in August 1955, and the General Assembly accepted the proposal, the UN Resolution #977(X) to establish a United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea in December 1955.
The UNMCK had been managed by UNCURK until UNCURK was dissolved in 1974. Since then, the Commission for The UNMCK consisting of 11 member nations has been managing the UNMCK.
The Cemetery contains the bodies of 2,300 men from Australia (281), Canada (378), France (44), the Netherlands (117), New Zealand (34), Norway (1), South Korea (36), South Africa (11), Turkey (462), the United Kingdom (885), and the United States of America (36), as well as unknown allied soldiers (4) and non-belligerents (11).During 1951 to 1954, remains of about 11,000 men of the UN Forces were gathered here, and remains of soldiers from Belgium, Colombia, Ethiopia, Greece, India, the Philippines, and Thailand (as well as the majority of those from the U.S.A., France, and Norway) were repatriated to their home countries. Plaques bearing particulars of the deceased covers each grave.
The War Memorial of Korea The grounds of the War Memorial of Korea were once the headquarters of the Korean Infantry. Many experts from different fields were consulted numerous times and exhaustive research was done in order to complete the exhibits. This memorial is the largest of its kind in the world. There are 8 main exhibits at the War Memorial: the Hogukchumo Exhibit, War History Exhibit, June 25th War Exhibit, Overseas Dispatched Troops Exhibits, Military Development Exhibit, Large Equipment Exhibit, and the Outdoor Exhibit. The Hogukchumo Exhibit honors the spirit of those who perished fighting on the battlefield. Visitors can learn all about Korea’s war history by visiting the War History Exhibit, June 25 War Exhibit, Overseas Dispatched Troops Exhibits, and the Military Development Exhibit, as well as witness how the Korean military developed over the years. Different kinds of weapons and military equipment are exhibited as well, inside and outside the building. Exhibits inside the building display equipment used during the Korean War in such a way as to invite comparison between the items. Large weaponry and equipment used by different countries during World War II and the Vietnam War are also on display. In the Large Equipment Exhibit on the second floor, many kinds of defense industry equipment and both real and model weapons are displayed. In the Bangsan Equipment Exhibit, you can look at weapons and war equipment produced in Korea. In the War Memorial’s Storage Room, 17,800 files and artifacts of war are preserved. Modern damage control and prevention devices have been installed to keep these materials safe from harm. Besides these, you can also visit the Miniature Exhibit or the Peace Hall. There is a lecture hall at the memorial, and many presentations are held here. If you want to learn more about any specific aspect of war, you can head over to the bookstore to pick up a book or a pamphlet. The shop also sells a variety of military souvenirs that will not only help you remember your time at the memorial but will also remind you of the significant role war has played in world history. The memorial also has a fast food restaurant and stores located outside the building.
Demilitarized zone (DMZ)
DMZ is a buffer zone to prevent an armed conflict after the armistice agreement. There is some restrictions on troops staying, weapon disposition, and military installation in DMZ. Once DMZ has been established, what it has already had should be removed. DMZ of Korea is established on 27 July, 1953 in accordance with ‘The Armistice Agreement about military truce of Korea’. It is 248km long and 2km width on each side, south and north. From the law point of view, DMZ is essentially under the control of an international law. Therefore, it is supervised by the organization that is founded by the international law.DMZ, a neutral zone, is composed of 4 elements regardless of its name as follows: demilitarization, certain buffer zone, isolation of military power (troop disposition), and a supervisory organization
Where DMZ exists is described clearly in the first article, the Military Demarcation Line and DMZ of the Armistice Agreement. The first signboard of the Military Demarcation Line, 0001, was established along Imjin River and the last one, 1292 was set up at Dongho-ri of the east coast. It reaches 248km(155mile) on the ground and 200km on the west coast.
Seoul Digital Media City Digital Pavilion (상암 DMC)
Changdeokgung
Gwanghwamun(광화문)
Namsan Tower
Hangang Park
Hangang Park is a representative people’s park located by Hangang River . It was created through the “Hangang River Comprehensive Development Project” in the 1980s, covering a huge area that is dedicated to the citizens, providing areas for sports and relaxation. You can see many people strolling or jogging along the trail paths, in-line skaters, bicyclers, and soccer fields or basketball courts. The Citizen’s Park is composed of Gwangnaru, Jamsil, Ttukseom, Jamwon, Banpo, Ichon, Yeouido, Yanghwa, Mangwon, Seonyudo, Nanji, and Gangseojigu – a total of 12 districts. Each park has its unique characteristics that fit the district, and especially Yeouido, Jamsil, and Ttukseom districts are very popular because of the ferry cruise services on Hangang River. The most popular are the ones in Yeouido and Ttukseom. Because the Yeouido area is where all the major TV Studios are located, countless dramas use this park for their shoots. Here you can also observe the birds of Bam Isle, a designated ecological preservation area. On the other hand, Ttukseom district is called the windsurfing and water-skiing mecca, and you can experience all sorts of leisure sports here. It is a sports heaven. Hangang Park is beautiful in the evenings as well, filled with the lights from Hangang River, the surrounding city buildings, streets, and the traffic. The sound of the river waves blends well with the city’s night-scape. It is especially good to use the ferry cruise in the evening as well, viewing the river area and scenery in the pleasant river breeze.
Youngpoong Bookstore
Youngpoong Bookstore has six branches as well as an on-line bookstore. Of those, the most famous branches are the Jongno and the Gangnam stores. Since both places are connected to the subway station, the location is very convenient. The Youngpoong Bookstores are not ordinary bookstores. They are exclusive cultural centers that carry all kinds of cultural products.
The Jongno branch, located in the Youngpoong Building is spread out over two floors. There are roughly one million books to choose from here. Various kinds of stationary are also available and you can also enjoy fast food at several adjoining restaurants. At the record shop you can listen to the latest Korean hit songs. Since you can reserve tickets there for events and performances, if you see something on the posters that interest you, you can purchase them on the spot. At the large bookstore you will find quite a number of people reading books. Facilities for visitors such as photocopy machines, a gift-wrap center and photography studios are on hand. Outside the bookstore, the streets are directly connected to the areas of Jongno and Euljiro. As one of the most intricate places in Seoul, Jongno offers many places to eat and enjoy oneself. Euljiro has so many buildings that it actually seems like a forest of buildings. If you follow these buildings you will soon find yourself in the area of Myeongdong, another Mecca for shoppers.
Cheong-gye-cheon Stream
