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The War Memorial of Korea
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The War Memorial of Korea

See all things to do
See all things to do
The War Memorial of Korea
4.5
4,292 reviews
#4 of 1,028 things to do in Seoul
Military Museums
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9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
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About
Poignant exhibits, war memorabilia, art works, and military equipment make this a perfect place to learn about Korea’s history of war, most notably with North Korea. Kids will enjoy the display of actual tanks and airplanes.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Namyeong-dong
How to get there
  • Samgakji • 4 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
4,292 reviews
Excellent
2,901
Very good
1,105
Average
246
Poor
29
Terrible
11
Karina K
Belfast, UK125 contributions
A must see
Mar 2023 • Couples
Unreal. Make sure to have at least half a day to complete this wonderful museum, the outside exhibition alone took us an hour!
The entry is free and there are audio guides available (we didn't bother so not sure re price). Three jam packed floors, the museum has a wonderful mix of reading and engaging material. Highly recommend.
Written 15 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
logan b
Australia103 contributions
Spectacular Museum
Apr 2022
One floor was about Korean military history up to the Korean War and another floor was focussed on the Korean War. The displays and commentary were perfect - they gave enough detail without overloading you with information. I
The War Memorial of Korea as expected for the history of this country, is no disappointment. It opened in 1994 on the former site of the army headquarters to exhibit and memorialize the military history of Korea and it holds an exquisite collection and memorabilia of several past wars ranging from prehistoric times with very rudimentary weapons; passing with extreme detail throughout the Korean War and the ROK Armed Forces until more modern conflicts and the presence of South Korea as an allied in the United Nations.
Leave yourself a whole day to do this place justice. Good cafe but even better Bagel place to the left side if the main entrance behind the statue with the clock.
Written 9 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peter M
Melbourne, Australia1,079 contributions
War Memorial of Seoul
Oct 2022
The War Memorial of Korea is a massive military museum which is in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea. In 1994, the former army headquarters site became a museum to display and honor the military war saga of Korea from 1950 to 1953.It is hoped that lessons can be learnt from the Korean War and North and South Korea reconcile. There are huge monuments from each country that served in the war that says about their endeavors. There is also displays of planes and a children's museum. It is free to visit and well worthwhile 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.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alex H
Port St. Mary, UK1,063 contributions
Worthwhile doing, great history lesson
Jan 2023 • Couples
This memorial doesn’t just cover the recent history with the Joseon Dynasty, Japanese invasions and the split with North Korea, it goes back even further. We actually came here after doing the DMZ tour, so a lot of the modern history information we had already been informed about recently. Nevertheless, the memorial offers real planes, tanks and vehicles used in the war, and it was interesting reading about these. Inside there are three floors full of information, a lot in English, which was valuable. Worth visiting here if in Seoul.
Written 9 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Micha Caerts
Antwerp, Belgium89 contributions
Very nice memorial
Dec 2022 • Solo
I especially liked the outdoor exhibit of planes and tanks. But also the (indoor) archive of the Korean war is very impressive. A respectful exhibit of a sad period in history.
Written 29 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China12,264 contributions
Korea's most important museum
Nov 2022
Korean War is a defining moment in East Asia and directly led to the formation of South Korea. This huge museum serves as an elaborative story of the conflict. While the narrative is pro-South (much anticipated, right), the illustration is in great details and chronicles each battle and civilian actions during the gruesome stalemate. Even for non-interested visitors, the sizable display of weaponry and planes is still eye-catching. Interesting this place right next to the Defense Department as well as US military base.
Written 13 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina64,756 contributions
Exceeded my expectations. Excellent displays. Very informative.
Sep 2022
Excellent museum of Korean wars. Primarily, Koreans were defending themselves from invaders and fighting for freedom. I especially liked the portions dealing with ancient Korean history. I was very intrigued by the Joseon Dynasty’s Korean turtle warship, which was used during the 15th to 19th century period. No entry fee.
Written 9 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AnLil
895 contributions
War Room I before DMZ
Sep 2022 • Family
I am not a military “type,” but this War museum is free and far beyond imperial or historical war museums that I’ve seen in Israel, England and Canada. It is a “must-see” if planning to visit the DeMilitarized Zone, since the DMZ tour guides are not hired for their knowledge of historical context but rather of English. It’s fine to drop in over days—very helpful to watch the videos in War Rooms I-II. Also, the basement level below ends with important Japanese colonial context for the compromised position of Korea, as the Cold War site of a proxy war for global superpowers or Asian invasion as a vendetta against the historical aggressor, U.S.’s ally Japan. Qingshanli battle documentation and An Jung-geun provide precursors to the so-called Korean War between ROK (105,752 soldiers with only 22 planes and 71 ships) and North Korea / China (with 198,380 fighters and 242 tanks, 226 planes and 110 ships). Korea’s War Memorial is beside 216 Hangang-daero by Samgakji subway station, past a wedding hall parking area. The Children’s Museum has a change station and washrooms past the Korean War Monument near the main gate. Look for the wooded stairs or ramp at the driveway loop for the hidden hall or outdoor Roll of Honor. The war took the lives of 1/10 of the Korean civilian population. It also cost U.N. forces’ American soldiers (36,574), Britons’ (1,108), 892 Turks, 516 Canadians (of 26,791 serving /1,212 wounded from 1 infantry brigade, 8 ships, 1 transport squadron at Kapyong, ‘Hill 355’ and the ‘Hook’); besides that, 340 Aussies, 269 French and 213 Colombians and 187 Greeks and 136 Thai died in action—alongside Dutch, Ethiopian, Filipino, Belgian and NZ, S African, Indian, Norwegian and Lux’ soldiers. Qingshanli battle documentation and An Junggun are precursors to the War between ROK (105,752 with 22 planes and 71 ships) and China (198,380 with 242 tanks and 226 planes and 110 ships). Check out the outdoor exhibit, which has a dozen tanks and more than that number of fighter airplanes such as B52 bombers on view for free even after 6 pm closing, beside the flags and giant green-yellow memorial in the shape of a bullet. Las Bagel on site serves hot lunch 11-2:00 on the second floor at the bus parking below the hall. It serves cream cheese bagels all day and smoothies or hot/bubble tea, overlooking the lily pond. Mothers bring their children here when they are not in school. Lockers big & small in the main doors are available for 100 won in change. Rental bicycles at Itaewon and a closer subway station offer a downhill 1.5-3 km ride on the bike path to the War Memorial as well.
Written 2 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Voodoo Traveller
3 contributions
Brilliant and Humbling Exhibition
Jul 2022
Brilliant and humbling exhibition and memorial hall. It provides an exceptional tribute to the sacrifices of the U.N. mission and Korean people. You will leave with a deep appreciation for the struggles of the Korean people over their long history. Artifacts on display encompass all of recorded Korean history and end with recent and moving rotating exhibits. This is a must visit for the history minded.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Learntorock
21 contributions
Poignant and Informative.
Jul 2022
Definitely a place worth visiting. The outside area alone is worth a walk around with its poignant statues; the military vehicles diplay and the war memorials.
Written 14 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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The War Memorial of Korea, Seoul

Frequently Asked Questions about The War Memorial of Korea
The War Memorial of Korea is open:
  • Tue - Sun 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Tue - Tue 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
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