War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan: Free Museum Guide for First-Timers
The War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan is a large museum about Korea's wars, especially the Korean War (1950–1953), and its main permanent exhibition is free. Take Subway Line 4 or Line 6 to Samgakji Station and follow the War Memorial signs. The walk from the exits is short. Give yourself 2–3 hours, plan around Monday closures, and save time for the outdoor display of tanks and aircraft, which many visitors enjoy most. Special exhibitions may charge a fee, and hours can change, so check the official website before you go.
What the War Memorial of Korea is
The museum opened in 1994 on the site of a former army headquarters in Yongsan, in central Seoul. It is part war museum and part national memorial. The museum traces conflicts on the Korean Peninsula from ancient times to the present, but most visitors come for the Korean War galleries. These cover how the war started in 1950, the front lines that moved back and forth, the role of UN forces from many countries, and the armistice that still divides the peninsula.
The museum is also a place of remembrance. Long corridors around the building carry the names of Korean soldiers and police who died in the war, and of UN service members, many from the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Canada, Australia and other countries. Many foreign visitors come specifically to find a relative's name.
How to get there
Take Line 4 (light blue) or Line 6 (brown) to Samgakji Station. Signs in the station point to the War Memorial, and the walk takes only a few minutes from the nearest exits. Namyeong Station on Line 1 is also walkable, but it is farther. Many city buses stop on the main road in front of the museum. To get your route, search "War Memorial of Korea" or "전쟁기념관" in Naver Map or Kakao Map.
Tickets, hours and closing days
- Admission: the permanent exhibitions and outdoor area are free. Special or temporary exhibitions and some children's programs may charge or need a reservation.
- Hours: the museum usually opens in the morning (around 9:30) and closes around 6 pm. Last admission is earlier, and some months have extended evening hours.
- Closed: usually Mondays (when a Monday is a public holiday, the closure often moves to the next day).
Times and late-opening days are listed differently across sources, so confirm on the official War Memorial of Korea website before you go.
What to see: a route for first-timers
1. The outdoor exhibition
Around the main building you will find dozens of tanks, artillery pieces, armored vehicles, helicopters and aircraft from the Korean War era and later, including some very large planes. Most are open to look at up close, and some can be climbed into. It is a favorite with kids. On a nice day you can easily spend 30–45 minutes outside, and you get a good view of Namsan Tower in the background.
2. The Statue of Brothers
Near the plaza stands the Statue of Brothers. It shows two brothers, one a South Korean officer and the other a North Korean soldier, embracing after meeting on the battlefield. The statue is one of the clearest symbols of how the war divided families.
3. The Korean War galleries
Inside, start with the Korean War rooms. Maps, uniforms, weapons, letters and film footage explain the war in chronological order, and the English labels are clear. If you are short on time, these galleries are the priority.
4. The UN and expeditionary forces rooms
Other galleries cover the UN countries that sent troops or medical help, and later overseas missions by Korean forces. Visitors from those countries often find displays about their own nation's role.
5. The memorial corridors
Take a few minutes to walk the corridors with the names of the fallen. The space is quiet and moving, even if you are not looking for anyone in particular.
Visiting with kids
The War Memorial is one of Seoul's most family-friendly free attractions. Children can run around the outdoor aircraft and vehicles, and the museum has a children's museum section with hands-on displays. That section usually works with timed entry or advance reservation, so check the official site first. Some galleries include war footage, so parents of young children may want to move through those quickly.
Hope, a singer from POPORO CITY, gave this tip: "Do the outside part first while you still have energy. Then go inside when your feet need a break and you're ready to read."
Combining it with nearby spots
The museum is in Yongsan, so it is easy to combine with Yongsan Family Park and the electronics market for a half day. The National Museum of Korea is also nearby, a short subway or taxi ride away. For a deeper look at the war's legacy, the next step for many visitors is a DMZ tour from Seoul. The War Memorial makes good background reading before you go. Itaewon and Samgakji have plenty of cafés and restaurants for lunch.
Quick tips
- Take Line 4 or 6 to Samgakji Station and follow the signs.
- Permanent exhibitions are free. Special exhibitions may charge.
- Don't go on a Monday, and check last-entry times.
- Do the outdoor exhibition early on hot summer days, or at midday in winter.
- Plan 2–3 hours for the main highlights.
- Visit before a DMZ tour for useful background.
FAQ
Is the War Memorial of Korea really free?
Yes. The permanent exhibitions and the outdoor area are free. You may need to pay for special exhibitions or certain programs.
How long should I spend there?
Two to three hours covers the outdoor display, the Korean War galleries and the memorial corridors. Military history fans could spend a full day.
Can I find the name of a relative who served in the Korean War?
The memorial corridors list fallen soldiers by country, and staff at the information desk can usually help you find the right section. Not every veteran is listed. The corridors honor those who died.
Is it suitable for children?
Mostly, yes. Kids love the outdoor vehicles and the children's museum. A few indoor sections show war footage that may be intense for younger children.
Which subway station is closest?
Samgakji Station on Lines 4 and 6 is closest. Namyeong Station on Line 1 is a longer walk.