The War Memorial of Korea

Opened in 1994 on part of the old Yongsan military grounds, the War Memorial of Korea is a free museum about the wars fought on the peninsula, with the Korean War at its center. Its scale is the first surprise: a huge plaza leads to the main hall, and the side colonnades carry the engraved names of more than 200,000 Korean and UN soldiers who died in the Korean War, which makes for a quiet, sobering walk. Indoors, the history galleries move from ancient battles through 1950–53 to Korea's role in later UN missions, with dioramas, uniforms and personal objects, and a hall of Korean-made defense equipment shows tanks and armored vehicles in model and full size. Outside, a large yard lines up real tanks, artillery and aircraft that visitors can walk among. The pond beside the stone walls, with the building and flags reflected in it, is the most photographed corner. Regular guided talks start at the gallery entrances without booking. Allow two hours, and note that it is closed on Mondays.