On November 11th at 11 am every year, an alarm sounds for a minute in Busan. This is because the “Turn Toward Busan International Memorial Ceremony” is held when we remember the sacrifice and dedication of the UN warriors in the Korean War.

UN Memorial Cemetery

When the Korean War happened on June 25, 1950, the International Society decided to send the United Nations Command to save Korea in crisis. A total of 1.95 million soldiers from 22 countries include United States, United Kingdom, and Turkey have supported the war, and has causes 40,896 of them were killed. Currently, it is said that 2,300 UN soldiers from 11 countries who gave their noble lives are sleeping in the UN Memorial Park in Busan. In the representative area, the flags of 22 countries involved in the Korean War and the flag of the United Nations are lifted for 365 days.

At the memorial hall built to commemorate the spirit of the UN forces soldiers, take a moment to reflect on the sacred meaning of life and death at the Dount Aqueduct named after the youngest soldier JP Daunt. Why don’t you take a moment to reflect on what makes life and death so precious? You can also read through the names engraved on the monument to appreciate all the 40,869 UN soldiers who were killed during the Korean War. It is also recommended that you plan your day to pay your tribute to those who were slept anonymously along the Unknown Soldiers’ Pathway with 11 stairs covered with water.

Pay a Silent Tribute toward Busan for a Minute on November 11th at 11:00

“I have been thinking about Korea every day for over 60 years. What to remember war is always a big pain for me. But it is better than being forgotten as it is.”
It is a quote from an interview with Vincent R. Courtenay, a Canadian Korean War veteran. He proposed a one-minute silent tribute to the U.N. Memorial Park in Busan at 11 p.m. on November 11 in Korean time, to appreciate those who sacrificed their lives in a strange land for the sake of the world’s peace and freedom. One minute of silence at 11:00 on November 11 has the number one in common, which signifies people around the world becoming one beyond the national boundaries by having the same goal.

『Moment to Be One, Turn Toward Busan』
With the slogan of Turn Toward Busan's International Memorial Ceremony in mind, I will forever remember the sacrifice and devotion of the UN delegations who fought for world peace and freedom.