“Yongsan War Memorial, a place I visited after a long time, is a place where you can easily explore the achievements of our national heroes who sacrificed themselves for the country and the history of South Korea at a glance.
Especially for families with children, it’s an educational place with a wealth of visual materials, various models, and actual artifacts on display.
At the entrance to the Yongsan War Memorial, there is no separate entrance fee.
It takes approximately half a day to explore everything, and if you want to delve into the details, plan for about 4 hours. For a general visit, you should allocate at least 2 hours.
Parking is available if you come by car.
Parking fees for ordinary cars:
- Basic 2 hours: 4,000 KRW
- Additional 30 minutes: 1,500 KRW
- Daily maximum: 30,000 KRW (60,000 KRW for large vehicles)
It’s about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot to the entrance.
If you’re visiting by public transportation, it’s a 7-10 minute walk from Samgakji Station on lines 4 and 6. Taking exit 12 at Samgakji Station is convenient.
Yongsan War Memorial admission is free for all citizens (a benefit for everyone).
Address: 29 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Operating hours:
- 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (Last admission at 5:00 PM)
- Please note that it takes a minimum of 2 hours to explore everything.
Closed on Mondays.
The Yongsan War Memorial was built with the purpose of collecting and preserving national records, commemorating the patriotism of our ancestors, and learning the lessons of war in Korean history. Construction began in 1990, was completed in 1993, and opened to the public in 1994.
Important information about holiday closures: If a holiday includes a Monday, the memorial will be closed on the day after the holiday. It is also closed on Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and Seollal (Lunar New Year) holidays.
The memorial features a list of foreign casualties, including those from South Korea, carved on a monument located at the entrance near the parking lot.
Upon entering the first floor, you’ll immediately notice aircraft and tanks used during the 625 War.
As you proceed into the war history room, you’ll encounter vivid depictions of historical periods, battles, and the appearance of warriors through murals displayed on screens.
The exhibition allows you to see the flow of history from the beginning of humanity through the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age.
Various historical artifacts, such as stone axes, hoes, daggers, and swords, are neatly displayed, reminiscent of what you may have learned in school.
I was glad to revisit this place, which I had first visited during my school days.
Banhwagul, located in Ulsan, is a rock carving, but it’s now submerged, so you can’t view it up close. However, you can observe it through binoculars across the river. Be aware that during the rainy season or heavy rainfall, it may not be visible.
The walls feature sculptures and records of various creatures, including leopards, wolves, raccoons, whales, turtles, tigers, deer, fish, and mountain hares.
You can see a reconstruction of a prehistoric village during the tribal state period, where external walls not only defended against enemy invasions but also protected against wild animals.
Moving into the Three Kingdoms period, you can explore detailed information about hunting, armor, spears, weapons, and more.
A model of a siege ladder attached to a cart used for scouting and attacking enemy fortress walls. This model demonstrates a technique used from the Three Kingdoms period.
A familiar sight – a golden waistband – along with photos of stone pagodas from Danang Fortress. These are relics and records from the Three Kingdoms period of Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo.
The Palman Daejanggyeong (an important Buddhist scripture) is depicted as a carved stone tablet, symbolizing the power of Buddhism to overcome the country’s crisis and wars.
Suwon Hwaseong (Hwaseong Fortress) is recreated to some extent, allowing you to experience its actual appearance. Suwon is famous for its fortress and palace, which served as a local royal palace where the king stayed or took refuge when leaving Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.
The exhibition is organized chronologically, allowing you to explore historical events and situations. Miniature models, scaled-down buildings, and videos are integrated to provide a visually engaging and educational experience.
An early bomber model is on display. Upon closer inspection, you can see that bombs were manually dropped from a co-pilot’s seat rather than released automatically from the aircraft. It’s an interesting model that reflects the technological limitations of that era.
Throughout the exhibition, meticulous displays of historical information provide insights and enrich your experience. Yongsan War Memorial is indeed a place worth visiting, and the free admission, parking, and educational value make it even more valuable.
Setting of the Han River Battle during the 625 War: We must never forget the painful past of those who bravely sacrificed themselves for our country during the Korean War.
You can take photos with the national flag at the flag ceremony area, capturing the solemnity of the moment and the joy of Seoul’s liberation.
I would like to express my gratitude to the national heroes who sacrificed themselves for our country once again in this place.
A moment of silence…”
Please note that this is a lengthy text, and translation may vary slightly depending on context and style preferences.
“✔️ Yongsan War Memorial also offers a place to have a simple meal, along with a cafe. (Located on the right side after entering the building).
✔️ The parking fee at the War Memorial is 4,000 KRW for the first 2 hours (for regular cars). After that, it’s an additional 1,500 KRW for every 30 minutes. It’s worth noting that there is no admission fee.
✔️ Reservations are not specifically required. The operating hours are from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (with last admission at 5:00 PM). Keep in mind that the memorial is closed every Monday.”