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The War Memorial of Korea
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The War Memorial of Korea

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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
Neighborhood: Namyeong-dong
How to get there
  • Samgakji • 4 min walk
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Restaurants
3,312 within 3 miles
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583 within 6 miles
Seoul Metro
12,740
1.5 miPublic Transportation Systems
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2,378
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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
3musketeersfrommla
Manila, Philippines38 contributions
Educational and informative - Must include in your itinerary in Seoul
Jun 2022
This is a must visit! Make sure to check the video presentations on the upper floors (we noticed some people missed this as these were in booths at the side) - you will see and hear there of the experiences of some of the veterans - very touching and there are learnings on the personal level. Also very informative to learn of how the other countries helped in the Korean War. Having my own country represented there, I felt what the museum management did was so respectful - they had the other countries' flags and contributions exhibited at the front of the memorial and throughout the museum.

Check the opening days and hours before going. I believe this is closed on Mondays. We were among the many disappointed visitors who braved the rains and long walk only to find out it was closed on Monday. It's free of charge with free lockers at the entrance.
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Abovetheclouds
1,725 contributions
I did and didn't like this. A lot of information but for me it was not structured very well.
Jun 2022 • Solo
I did and didn't enjoy this. The museum is big and if you want to see everything, you should allow a few hours. Free to enter. Given all the information and history, I am quite surprised they don't charge. I just found information was not that easy to understand or well laid out. I got more confused, although at the sane time I did learn a lot of things. I just think it could be laid out better. Some parts were in Korean only. I went as soon as it opened. There were already quite a few school children but as the museum was so big and spacious, it was still peaceful to browse. Clean. What was nice to watch was just outside the main entrance, young army recruits were practising and performing. This was interesting to see. I would say if your very into history and learning, then come. I normally am but for some reason struggled to grasp much here. I spent just over an hour and a half there for a basic overview.
Written June 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China12,241 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 November 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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 March 15, 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 February 9, 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 January 13, 2023
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 July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gombung
Seoul, South Korea19 contributions
Much more than expected!
Jun 2022 • Solo
It was a huge museum.
I thought it only focused on Korean wor in 1950 but it actually shows all kinds of war records throught korean history.
Huge aircrafts and tanks are exhibited oitside the museum.
If you are a military geek, you would love it.
And there was a special exhibition.
you can see Eva Armisen's art in the museum, too.
It was a very impressive and heart warming experience.
Written June 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tricky
Stockholm, Sweden246 contributions
Almost exactly like the war museum in North Korea
Aug 2019
I've had the good fortune of being able to visit the war museums in both North Korea and South Korea. What is most striking is how similar the museums in Pyongyang and Seoul are.

In front of both are aggressive statues of military men. Both have an outdoor exhibit of military machinery, like vehicles and airplanes. But whereas the museum in Pyongyang proudly displays the USS Pueblo, the museum in Seoul displays happy children's mascots (in uniform, of course) and a playground, which is weird to say the least in a war museum. Both museums love a good panorama exhibit.

And finally, both rely very heavily on propaganda. For example, the two different sides are called "Attackers at dawn" and "Defenders of freedom". And while the museum happily described the atrocities carried out by the North, it does not mention with a single peep the atrocities carried out by the South. The exact opposite can be said about the museum in Pyongyang, of course.

If you are looking for any kind of truth about the war, you would have to look elsewhere. But if you're interested in how a country wants to present their image about a war, both museums are very interesting indeed.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jake Aller
Alexandria, VA31 contributions
Easy to find at the samgaki line on the blue or orange lines. five minute walk.
Dec 2019 • Couples
one of the must see museums in my opinion. they did a great job presenting the Korean war and its immediate aftermath. the museum used to be a bit too much propaganda but they have make it more objective = gone are the famous pictures of the happy children of South Korea and the starving children of North Korea. that was a bit too much in my opinion. the museum is close to the national museum (see my review) and the Samsun ilan museum in near by Itaewon. Itaewon is still a good bet for lunch or dinner after musuem hopping.
Written January 27, 2020
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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