Visit Gyeonggi and Learn about the Memorial Day of South Korea

6.6 is Memorial Day to commemorate those who have sacrificed their lives for freedom and peace in Korea. Here are some meaningful place in Gyeonggi-do

Memorial Day in Korea

June 6th is Memorial Day in South Korea. June is the month in which the Korean War began and the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong occurred, and it is also the month of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. To honor these occasions, here is a list of places to visit on Memorial Day in Gyeonggi Province.

Liberty Protection and Peace Museum
ⓒGyeonggi Province

Liberty Protection and Peace Museum

The Liberty Protection and Peace Museum honors the noble spirit of those who sacrificed themselves to protect national freedom and security during the Korean War. It displays relics and other materials relating to the activities of the 21 countries that participated as part of United Nations forces during the war. It is a place where one can learn more not only about the Korean War, but also the patriotic martyrs of the Korean and United Nations forces.

Liberty Protection and Peace Museum
ⓒGyeonggi Province

In addition, the outdoor exhibition hall offers tours on the theme of national security and features various rest areas with large pieces of military equipment, such as airplanes and tanks, that members of the public usually cannot access. Visitors can also see military equipment used during the Korean War. The museum is located on Soyosan Mountain, so visitors can enjoy hiking afterwards.

Imjingak Peace Nuri Park

Paju Imjingak Peace Nuri Park is renowned for its symbolic meaning in terms of peace on the Korean Peninsula. Imjingak, which was once strongly imbued with a character commemorating the history of the Korean War, is said to have changed its landscape with the Imjingak Peace Nuri Park.

Imjingak Peace Nuri Park
ⓒGyeonggi Province

The park is one of the top 100 tourist attractions in Korea. On the grassy hill of Pyeonghwa Nuri, there is a landmark called ‘Singing Unification’ where more than 3,000 pinwheels and other visual works deliver a message of peace.

Imjingak features trains, bridges, and piers bearing bullet marks from the war, and visitors can indirectly sense the shadows of war while viewing weapons and other war materials that were used in actual combat. When visitors go up to the Unification Observatory on Odusan Mountain, Paju, they can see the land of North Korea and the lives of North Koreans. This pathway leads to the Heyri Village, a nearby tourist attraction, making it an ideal destination.

Icheon National Cemetery

Icheon National Cemetery is a place where the remains of those who sacrificed their lives for the country are interred. This cemetery was created for those who served in the Korean War and Vietnam War, as well as for those who serve in the military for more than 10 years, so as to honor them after their death and bolster the spirit of the nation.

The construction completion ceremony of Icheon National Cemetery
ⓒGyeonggi Province

In the cemetery, there are also historical facilities such as Memorial Hall, Memorial Gate, and Memorial Tower. Hogukwon offers education programs to students that include such activities as watching movies, visiting graves, and drawing the Korean flag. This is a place where one can experience patriotism and learn about the spirit of veterans.