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Tony Giny

Seoul National Cemetery

Updated: Sep 2, 2022

★★★ Korea Allimi Special Article - 대한민국 알리미 특별 조항★★★

 

Dongjak-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea is the location of the Seoul National Cemetery, or 국립서울현충원. Veterans from Korea, including those who lost their lives in the Korean independence movement, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, are buried there. The cemetery contains the graves of four South Korean presidents.



The cemetery was founded by Syngman Rhee's presidential proclamation in 1955 as the National Military Cemetery, and ten years later, in 1965, it was given the title of National Cemetery. The controlling organization changed its name from "National Cemetery Management Office" to "National Memorial Board" in 1996.


Daejeon National Cemetery was created in 1976 and the cemetery's capacity was reached in the early 1970s. Prior to 2006, when the Ministry of Patriots' and Veterans' Affairs took over management of the Daejeon National Cemetery, both cemeteries were once under the Ministry of Defence's control (South Korea).


The peaks of Gwanaksan Mountain near Dongjakbong Peak circle the back portion of Seoul National Cemetery on three sides and has a view of the Hangang River towards the front.



The Seoul National Cemetery is located in an area that is roughly 1,430,000 m2. The graves of 165,000 martyrs, including soldiers, police officers, and reserve forces members who gave their lives in defense of their nation, are honored here. Both the remnants of about 7,000 unidentified soldiers whose bodies were discovered and memorial tablets for roughly 104,000 troops who died during the Korean War are housed inside the Memorial Tower. The Burial Plots, which are separated into numerous sections, contain the graves of more than 54,000 martyred patriots. These include graves of troops, police officers, deserving civilians, and important members of the provisional government. 


Memorial ceremonies and other activities are held at the Seoul National Cemetery each Memorial Day to pay tribute to the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation. One of the most iconic days is the 6th of June.


The Memorial Tower, Holy Ground, Chungseong Fountain Tower, Memorial Gate, Photographic Exhibition House, Educational Movie Theater, and Relics Exhibition House are among the facilities.



Details:

Operating Hours :

[Cemetery (open all year round)] Front gate, east gate, main gate (5 locations) 06:00-18:00

[Facilities] 09:00-18:00

All facilities are closed on November holidays / December - February Saturdays and holidays.

Admission: Free entry

Address: 210, Hyeonchung-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul / 서울특별시 동작구 현충로 210


Transportation:

Directions: Subway Line 4 & 9, Dongjak Station, Exits 2 & 4 for the East Gate (5 mins on foot) and Exit 8 for the main gate


This was one of the most amazing places I have ever been to. I think it gave me a state of peace and I was also humbled by so many memories, and people who gave their lives for this country. Even though visiting a cemetery may sound strange, this is like a national park where people even come and make picnics and remember those who died. It must be so hard to see the graves if your dear ones are there, but at the same time, you can be proud that their names are honored.


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