South Korea Seoul Trip Part 5: War Memorial of Korea & Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art

[Introduction]

I traveled to Seoul, South Korea, in early September. Although I was not blessed with weather at all, I enjoyed the trip as the food was delicious and people were kind. In this article, I will write about War Memorial of Korea as part of Day 2. Exhibits, in particular about the Korean War, were impressive, and thought-provoking.

[Visit Places (series of articles)]
* Day 1: Fly to Gimpo International Airport
* Day 1: Myeong-dong
* Day 1: Myeong-dong (Light-up)
* Day 2: National Museum of Korea
* Day 2: War Memorial of Korea [This Article]
* Day 2: Dongdaemun
* Day 2: Dongdaemun (Light-up)
* Day 3: Gyeongbokgung Palace
* Day 3: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art etc.
* Day 3: Seoul Station
* Day 3: Seoul Station (Light-up)
* Day 4: Coex Aquarium and Starfield Library
* Day 4: Lotte World
* Day 4: Lotte World (Light-up)
* Day 5: Paradise City
* Day 5: Return Home from Incheon Airport & Stay Overnight at Narita Airport

[Travel Date]
2018.09.05-09

[Main Part]

Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art

Following the previous post, I will continue to go around museums in Seoul. I moved from “National Museum of Korea” to “Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art”.

“Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art” is a museum operated by Samsung group, one of the representative companies in Korea. It was opened in 2004 and has about 15,000 art works.

The museum is divided into three areas, “MUSEUM 1”, “MUSEUM 2” and “Education & Culture Center”, and each area was designed by globally famous architects. Unfortunately, taking photos were not allowed except for the lobby, so I just took photos around the lobby.

Unique spiral line.

Cafe.

Around “Education & Culture Center”.

Just as an extra, a snap shot on the way to the museum.

War Memorial of Korea

I left “Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art” and came to “War Memorial of Korea”.

“War Memorial of Korea” is a military museum opened in 1994. It exhibits and memorializes the military history of Korea, especially the Korean War.

First, I will go through the outdoor exhibition area. This is famous “Statue of Brothers”.

The statue depicts the elder a South Korean soldier and the younger a North Korean soldier met again, which symbolizes the situation of Korea’s division.

Here are other outdoor exhibits.

Ship.

Aircraft.

Then, I will move to the memorial hall.

I just happed to see a military parade in front of the building.

Drum performance.

Traditional sword dance.

Military band performance.

They showed “Fancy drill”.

After the parade, I will go into the hall to watch indoor displays.

As I mentioned, “War Memorial of Korea” exhibits and memorializes the military history of Korea, especially the Korean War.

Armored car.

Soldiers.

Rifles.

Airplane.

Jeep.

After many twists and turns in the course of the Korean War, South Korea recaptured Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

It’s something like a movie booklet, isn’t it?

Many countries were involved in the Korean War, as it had an aspect of a proxy war between the US and the former USSR.

I saw more foreign visitors, especially from non-Asian counties, there.

Apart from exhibits related to the Korean War, here is a turtle ship that was believed to exist in the Joseon Dynasty.

Then, I left “War Memorial of Korea” for the next destination.

[Closing]

That’s it for the article about War Memorial of Korea as part of Day 2.

As “War Memorial of Korea” is a museum that features wars, it is not so featured in guidebooks etc. However, exhibits, in particular about the Korean War, were impressive, and I visited the museum while thinking “Why did they have to fight each other, although they were the same race?” The admission is for free, so if you are interested in the museum, why don’t you visit?

In the next article, I will write about Dongdaemun as part of Day 2.

[Map]

1. Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
2. War Memorial of Korea

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