United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea

  • Address: 779 Daeyou 4-doug, Nam-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
  • Established Date: Cemetery January 18, 1951, Wall of Remembrance October 24, 2006
  • Established by: United Nations Command
  • Managed by: Commission for the UNMCK(CUNMCK)
  • Facility Type: cemetery, memorial hall, monument, statue
  • Site Size: 144,181.8m2
  • Monument Size: 2,300 of tombs, UN Forces Monument H. 9.5m, Commonwealth Memorial H. 2.9m
  • Home Page: www.unmck.or.kr

The cemetery is a sacred site where rest the souls of those heroes who sacrificed their lives for peace and freedom on the Korean Peninsula. It was established to honor the service and sacrifices of UN soldiers who died during the Korean War, based on the Agreement between the Republic of Korea and the United Nations for the Establishment and Maintenance of a United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea. The Korean government volunteered the land for permanent use by UN as a cemetery, and declared the grounds of the cemetery as inviolable. The sanctuary occupies a grassy area of 144,182m2. About 11,000 fallen UN solders were originally interred here, but some countries repatriated their war dead. Currently 2,300 graves remain, including those for 281 Australians, 378 Canadians, 44 Frenchmen, 117 Dutchmen, 34 New Zealanders, 1 Norwegian, 36 Koreans, 11 South Africans, 642 Turks, 885 Britons, 36 Americans, 4 unknown persons, and 11 non-combatants. In 1978, the Korean government constructed the 12 meter-high UN forces Monument. Detailed in Korean and English on the copper plates on the walls are the combat equipment and personnel support provided by the UN nations, and rolls of honor containing all the names of the fallen. The Wall of Remembrance for fallen United Nations personnel in the Korean War was built in 2006. The name of every UN soldier killed or missing in action is carved on black marble. Meanwhile visitors may offer online flowers to the war dead at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea and can conduct a search for the location of their graves and memorial stones.

The ‘Unknown Soldiers’ Pathway’ consisting of a walkway flanked on each side by a set fountains that cascades down a set of an eleven tiered waterfalls representing the eleven nations that represented in the UN Memorial Cemetery.
The UN Forces Monument (1978) is located in the center of the UN Memorial Cemetery and consists of a plaque with the combat operations of each nation participating in the Korean War. The inside of monument serves as a memorial hall for those whom now rest in peace.
The ‘Unknown Soldiers’ Pathway’ located in front of the ‘UN Forces Monument’ with the main burial area of the cemetery area behind the ‘UN Forces Monument’.

The Türkiyish Memorial (1962) was built by the Türkiyish government for the fallen.
The Türkiyish Memorial (1960).
The Canadian Memorial Statue (2001) was erected by Canadian Veterans of the Korean War. The memorial statue consists of two children being carried by a soldier; each child is holding 21 hibiscus and maple leaves represent the 21 Canadian MIAs in the war. The name of the each fallen Canadian soldier is placed at the base of the memorial along with epitaph “We will never forget you brave sons of Canada”.
The Lion Statue erected in the UK Veterans Cemetery Area.
The French Memorial (2007) erected by the French government.
The Thai Memorial (2008) erected by the Thai government.
The Thai Memorial (2008) erected to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Korea-Thailand establishment of diplomatic ties.
The Commonwealth Memorial (1965) was built to commemorate the 386 MIAs of the Commonwealth nations; UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. The names, ranks, and units are engraved in order of nations.
The Philippine Memorial (2009).
The Greek Memorial (1961) was built by the Greek government for the fallen.

 

The Wall of Remembrance (2006) is constructed of black granite with the names of 40,895 fallen soldiers (including MIAs) engraved in alphabetical order on the monuments around the reflecting pool.

Epitaph: We engrave your names in our hearts with love. We inscribe your names in our land with appreciation. -in Eternal Remembrance of the Fallen of UN Forces in Korean War.

Members of the French Navy are participating in a commemorating ceremony.

The grave markers for servicemen buried at UN Memorial Cemetery.