 
The Cemetery covers over 35 acres and was established by the United Nations Command on January 18, 1951,
when interments were begun. Remains were transferred from six other cemeteries located at Gaeseong, Incheon,
Daejeon, Daegu, Miryang, and Masan. The dedication ceremony was held on April 5, 1951. The Korean government
granted the land to the United Nations without charge, in perpetuity, as a permanent tribute to all those
who gave up their lives in resisting aggression in Korea and in upholding the cause of peace and freedom
from 1950-53.
The Cemetery contains the bodies of 2,300 men from Australia (281), Canada (378), France (44),
the Netherlands (117), New Zealand (34), Norway (1), South Korea (36), South Africa (11), Turkey (462),
the United Kingdom (885), and the United States of America (36), as well as unknown allied soldiers (4)
and non-belligerents (11). During 1951 to 1954, remains of about 11,000 men of the UN Forces were gathered
here, and remains of soldiers from Belgium, Colombia, Ethiopia, Greece, India, the Philippines, and
Thailand (as well as the majority of those from the U.S.A., France, and Norway) were repatriated to their
home countries. Plaques bearing particulars of the deceased covers each grave.
Governments, organizations, and private individuals have donated many of the trees and shrubs on the
Cemetery grounds. Since 1974 it has been administered by the Commission for the UN Memorial Cemetery in
Korea, made up of representatives of the eleven countries whose fallen remain here. It is the only
local cemetery under the auspices of the United Nations, which also built the Memorial
Service Hall (1964) and Exhibition Hall (1968).
Main Gate
The Main Gate, designed by Kim Chungup, was dedicated on November 30, 1966, to honor the fallen UN Forces
in the Korean War by the citizens of Busan. While the stable roof line symbolizes Heaven, the support columns
in the shape of trees signify the life of earth growing towards Heaven. The sunlight shining through the
ceiling down on the columns brilliantly animates the trees and brings them to life. It is famed for its
unique and abstract design. The roof, columns, and attached guard-house never quite seem to meet.
Memorial Service Hall
The Memorial Service Hall was built as a tribute to the sacrifices rendered by the UN Forces in Korea
and was inaugurated on August 21, 1964. Modern in its design, the Memorial Service Hall incorporates a
novel feature of six hinged reinforced concrete beams that appear to be clamping the building to its
foundation. The triangular outline represents eternity in the abstract and symbolically conveys various
religious faiths represented within the Cemetery.
Monument of Dongnae South Gate
This stone stele (also known as Dongnae Patriots Monument) was built in 1670, during the reign of King
Hyeonjong of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Designated Busan Monument #21, it serves as a memorial to
those who died in the battle of Dongnae during the Japanese invasions of 1592. Though the inscription on
the stele is almost illegible, its contents are known as it was recorded in the Chronicles of Dongnae.
It contains a detailed description of the Japanese invasion on April 13, 1592. It also describes the
ensuing battles, the soldiers and townspeople of Dongnae who defended their country, the glorious death
of Cheong Pal (the commander of Busanjin who was killed in action), and the cowardly flight of a soldier
named Yi Kak.
It also details the deaths of other important people, including Dongnae Magistrate Song Sang-hyeon and
several of his men, Yangsan Magistrate Jo Yeonggyu, and several local Confucian scholars. It also includes
information about the construction of the monument. The worlds were written by Song Siyeol in 1668 and the
calligraphy was done by Song Chungil. Originally located on the old Nongju-san battle ground outside the
south gate of Dongnae fortress, it was moved to the garden of the community shrine in 1709. It was later
moved inside the fortress near the south gate in 1736 when the shrine was demolished, and finally moved
here in 1976 because of the expansion of a nearby road.
Near the cemetery are the Busan Cultural Hall, Busan
Municipal Museum, Tongmyeong Pulwon (a Buddhist monastery),
Gwangalli Beach, and the Karam Culture & Art Center.
Information: (051) 625-1608
Hours: 9:00 - 18:00
Admission: Free
Directions: Busan subway line2, Daeyeon Station, towards Gwangalli, 15 minutes walking
For information, please see Life in Korea's Cultural Spotlight on the
Korean War.
See related tour(s). |
