UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea — Attraction in Busan

I give this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

You have to read up a little on the history of the Korean War to fully appreciate this cemetery, otherwise it just becomes another tourist stop, and it deserves more than that.

There's lots of walking, so if you have difficulty walking on your own, this one might be challenging even in a wheelchair as the roads are steep with narrow pathways in some areas.

As you walk in the main gate, there's a Memorial Service Hall to the right. I recommend starting there and watching the 12-minute video about the war, the cemetery, and who's buried there. It is played in Hangul and English at alternating times.

The City of Busan also provides free tour guides, so you can inquire when you arrive to see if one is available. Mr. Choi KuSik was my guide, and told me many stories about the cemetery and the soldiers buried there that you probably wouldn't have found online. And the good thing for me - he spoke my language! Thank you again Mr. Choi.

As you walk vast area, you see several signs reminding you that it is a place of respect. That's overshadowed by the city skyline of skyscrapers and a golf driving range in the near distance. I guess you can't hold back progress when you share the city area.

As you walk through, you see some pretty impressive monuments such as New Zealand, Columbia, Philippines, and more. But the one that I thought was so subdued was South Korea. There were close to 20 KATUSA (to include unknown soldiers) that are buried in the top left corner of the cemetery, but their area is not as ornate as the other countries'. I'm not sure if that was intentional, but make sure you make that stop in that part of the cemetery.

Besides teaching me about the KATUSA, Mr. Choi also told me that South Korea has had a special relationship with Turkiye since the war because they were so supportive in their combat aid, and consider them a brother country. That's also why South Korea provided aid to Turkiye after the recent devastating earthquakes here in Feb 2023.

Memorabilia Hall I and II, Daunt Waterway, Wall of Remembrance, UN Forces Monument, Unknown Soldiers' Pathway - lots to see and...

I'm usually down on cemeteries and this is a pretty good one to visit. Lot's of memorials to the fallen soldiers of the various countries the sent troops here during the Korean War. Kind of glad to see there wasn't a big focus on the Americans. I guess I am American although I don't want to and don't want you to think I am for reasons you don't know even if you do know me. A lot of the prominent memorials here are from other countries, a few somewhat strikingly from Türkiye (I think they're insecure about being called Turkey). I don't know what I'm talking about. I don't even know if Türkiye's monuments are any more prominent than any other particular country either. I will say I don't think there are any Korean soldiers buried here. Why wouldn't they include their own in a cemetery? Who built and runs this cemetery anyway: the UN, Korea? My kind of focus was on Australia and South Africa. I wanted to take pictures of whatever is related to those countries because I wanted to send them to my friends Jonty (South Africa) and John (Australia). I don't know how much they're really friends of mine - well maybe John is. OK, I know I'm incoherent. Come here to enjoy the beautiful nature, somber vibe, and pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. Please check out adjacent Peace Park with it's eclectic, colorless...

The UN cemetery is located almost in downtown, very easy to reach by public transport. The idea of establishing the cemetery was born even during the Korean war. Being one of the bloodiest conflicts with so many casualties, there were many cemeteries all over Korea, so UN proposed forming the central memorial cemetery. Have in mind this is the only UN cemetery in world. Busan was chosen as it hasn't ever been occupied, even during the strong invasion of joint North/Chinese/Russian forces, when they conquered almost the entire peninsula and the city served even as a capital for a short period. The cemetery strongly reminds on such in US. Personally, having in mind the number of casualties I expected to be bigger, but you can cover it in 30-45 min. As you enter the main gate to the right is a Memorial Hall where you can watch a short movie about the war. After that you enter the Symbolic area where are 22 parts of land with flags of countries who supported SK and UN. The central UN flag rises at 10 AM and lowers at 4 PM. Below is the main grave area with fallen soldiers. Further down is the Wall of Remembrance with engraved names of fallen soldiers and eternal flame, and at the end...