UN Memorial Cemetery, Busan

Wow. Just loved this visit. Very well manicured cemetery and green space, with just the right amount of context and history to make for a very meaningful visit. We were very “weepy” during this one…very touched by the somberness of the memorials and the inspiring sacrifice of so many from so many countries by a then fledgling United Nations for South Korea. MUST see when 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 worth the visit.