The Korean War, An Unforgettable Scar

After enduring Japanese occupation, the people of Korea had to face another tragic event called the Korean War before they could even fully enjoy their hard-won independence. While it occurred 70 years ago, to those who experienced the dawn of June 25, 1950, it is a vivid page in the annals of history that continues have a lasting impact.
The Korean War began with a surprise attack on South Korea by North Korea. Our army, UN Forces, and young student soldiers had to march to battlegrounds with guns on their back. Within three days of the outbreak of war, Seoul was captured and the North Korean army marched south, occupying all of the land up to the Nakdonggang River. Thanks to the success of the Incheon Landing Operation, we took back Seoul and marched as far north as the Amnokgang (Yalu) River. Due to the intervention of the Chinese Army, however, called the January–Fourth Retreat, the South Korean Army and UN Forces had to step back to the south of the 38th Parallel.
During the three years of the Korean War, Busan became the temporary capital of South Korea with endless lines of incoming refugees. Busan is a city that contains the memories of the refugees who lived scattered about without knowing the whereabouts of their families.

Refugee Capital “Busan”

The Provisional Capital Memorial Hall is a building that represents Busan as a refugee capital. Used as the official residence of the president, the two-story red brick building built in western style architecture faithfully reenacts the interior of the guest room and office space. The president and his staff took care of domestic and overseas work here and tried to gain peace of mind in a chaotic time. The exhibition hall displays many materials that reveal the politics, economy, and life of the people of Busan when it was the temporary capital of the country for those 1,023 days. The living room, a space where the employees for the official residence gathered, exhibits the lives of the refugees who lived a hard life at the refugee capital of Busan. It must have been war itself to live in the shanty town and do whatever had to be done to make a living.

Provisional Capital Memorial Hall

Tel. +82-51-244-6345
Address: 45, Imsisudoginyeom-ro, Seo-gu, Busan
Hours: 09:00–18:00
Closed on: January 1 and Every Monday

Choryang Ibagu-gil and 168 Stairs

Refugees poured into Busan by the thousands and the city was saturated with people. The population, which was 280,000 before the Korean War, increased to 1 million. No wonder there was not enough land for people to live on. Numerous cardboard houses lined up along the slope to the hillside of the city. The Choryang Ibagu-gil was one of the locations with the largest number of people. Check out the 168 stairs, it will make you dizzy. To find work, the refugees had to ascend and descend these stairs many times a day. After a long day’s work, on their way home, a cup of makgeolli (rice wine) must have been of great comfort to the refugees. Currently, a red monorail is in operation. You won’t have to ascend the 168 stairs but how nice it is to find a makgeolli store at the end of the stairs.

Walker House/UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea

Walker House is the building that was used as the temporary headquarters by General Walker, the Commander of the Eighth US Army, as he led the Allied Forces operations. Nothing was more important than protecting the Nakdonggang River defense line to the South Korean Army and the Allied Forces who had been pushed down south to the Nakdonggang River by the fierce attacks of the North Korean Army. The Incheon Landing Operation succeeded because the General secured the Nakdonggang River front. Find out more about the life and spirit of General Walker, a relatively unknown hero of the Korean War, at Walker House inside Pukyong National University.
Visiting the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea where the souls of veterans from all over the world rest in peace may be a worthy thing to do to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War. The UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea is located within 15 minutes walking distance from the Walker House, allowing easy access. There are seven cemeteries including the cemetery of the Korean Army Veterans, Canadian soldiers, and US soldiers as well as the memorial tower, memorial monument, and memorial hall. Let’s express our gratitude by honoring the souls of war veterans who sacrificed their precious lives to protect South Korea.

Walker House in Pukyong National University

45, Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan

UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea

UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea

The Korean War left the Korean Peninsula a mess and scarred South and North Korea in unforgettable ways over three years. Our army fought valiantly under the firm resolution to protect the homeland, and the UN Forces bravely fought to protect the people of a country that was, to them, unknown, mysterious, and far away. We thank them for their sacrifice and dedication.
We will “remember” their noble spirit and protect the “peace” that we enjoy “together.”