The War Memorial of Korea, Seoul
The War Memorial of Korea
The War Memorial of Korea
4.5
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
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
Neighbourhood: Namyeong-dong
How to get there
- Samgakji • 4 min walk
Best nearby
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Popular mentions
4.5
4,275 reviews
Excellent
2,888
Very good
1,103
Average
244
Poor
29
Terrible
11
Wilson P
Los Angeles, CA155 contributions
Dec. 2021
This is a superb reminder of why freedom wins! All kinds of airplanes, watercraft, guns, bombs, remeberances, photos, etc., in many, many large rooms, plus an outdoor exhibition that is second to none.
This is at least a "4 hour tour" that could easily turn into "all day" if done properly.
This is at least a "4 hour tour" that could easily turn into "all day" if done properly.
Written 8 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
db7477
Carlsbad, CA2,368 contributions
Oct. 2021 • Business
Our visit to the museum was too brief and I look forward to returning on my next visit to Seoul. The exhibits cover thousands of years of Korean history and is a fitting tribute to their ancestors, heritage and those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure their freedom.
Written 30 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
H2712K50
Israel2,078 contributions
Jun. 2021
A museum worth visiting, tells of the suffering of the Korean people in the years of various wars, a wide variety of exhibits.
Written 25 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dennis J
Hamilton, New Zealand608 contributions
Jun. 2021 • Friends
I was mainly interested in the Korean War and it is easy to spend 2 hours doing this part and the collection pf weapons and planes outside. This collection is the most extensive I have seen anywhere and even includes a B52.
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MNataro
Pyeongtaek, South Korea395 contributions
Apr. 2021
Museum curation in Korea is first-rate. This museum, like so many others, is truly magnificent. Gives a fantastic intro to Korean military history with three giant exhibits on the Korean war, truly a national tragedy. I didn't see it all and want to go again soon.
Written 24 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tricky
Stockholm, Sweden245 contributions
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.
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 31 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thomas M
Des Moines, IA223 contributions
Dec. 2019
This museum really captured the sights and shifting moods of war, down to General MacArthur's comb-over in one of the dioramas. Interactive and comprehensive! Plan more than the 1-2 hours that TripAdvisor recommends.
Written 6 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Catherine Q
Nonthaburi, Thailand46 contributions
Apr. 2019 • Solo
Nice place for tourist, some tourist also wear there hanbok while visiting here. Also perfect for photo.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lawriem1
Melbourne, Australia745 contributions
Oct. 2019 • Friends
A good visit, the exhibits were well put together and easy to understand. Lots to see, lovely entrance and well kept grounds. We spent a couple hours here as part of a day trip. There is a small gift shop and cafeteria.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KarenAaran
Milton Keynes, UK269 contributions
Feb. 2020 • Couples
Spent a couple of hours here. Interesting. Worth a visit, we visited it within a tour that we had booked.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
readingtutr
Needham112 contributions
Hi Mary, from your review, I assume we do not need to have a paid guide to go here, because the museum offers free tours?
Do you know if tours were scheduled for certain times?
(Haven't gone on website yet)
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Best,
Rdngtutr
Kathy W
York Haven, PA267 contributions
We could have spent a full day here. The place is huge with indoor and outdoor artifacts. Beautiful displays. We had a guide for our group. He provided wonderful explanations and knew a lot of history.Wonderful place.
Peter_lyh123
1 contribution
Are there those translation device that provide chinese commentary?
Guide Mi
Bangkok, Thailand90 contributions
Yes there's a translation audio services you can rent at the information counter~
sharonchongmeili
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia71 contributions
What time are the English guided tours ? is there a need to book in advance & how ?
Junsu L
Karen, Kenya16 contributions
No need to back..besides some of the employeees tjere speak little English.so u cant be disappointed
could I deposit my luggage somewhere?
Of course! There are coin lockers in the lobby.
Rachel L
2 contributions
Hi may I know if the exhibits are displayed in English too?
Chano-Tiano
Luzon, Philippines147 contributions
Yes they are. Even the videos have multiple options for language.
Is it open on Memorial Day although it is a Monday?
Kenhamner1
Orlando, FL170 contributions
Sorry I missed your question in time to answer it. I hope it was open and you were able to enjoy visiting.
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
- We recommend booking The War Memorial of Korea tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 12 The War Memorial of Korea tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near The War Memorial of Korea:
- (0.30 km) Dragon Hill Lodge
- (0.23 km) YaKorea Hostel Itaewon
- (0.28 km) Hause
- (1.29 km) Grand Mercure Ambassador Hotel and Residences Seoul Yongsan
- (1.59 km) Mondrian Seoul Itaewon
- Restaurants near The War Memorial of Korea:
- (0.22 km) Bongsanjip
- (0.22 km) Tama Tama
- (0.26 km) Samgakji Won Daegutang
- (0.27 km) Won Spicy Cod Soup
- (0.29 km) Gravity Terminal
- Attractions near The War Memorial of Korea:
- (0.80 km) Traesco
- (0.53 km) Koridoor Tours
- (2.41 km) Seoul Metro
- (1.29 km) Seoul Pub Crawl
- (1.30 km) National Museum of Korea