There are 8 main exhibits at the War Memorial: the Hogukchumo Exhibit, War History Exhibit, June 25th War Exhibit, Overseas Dispatched Troops Exhibits, Military Development Exhibit, Large Equipment Exhibit, and the Outdoor Exhibit. The Hogukchumo Exhibit honors the spirit of those who perished fighting on the battlefield. Visitors can learn all about Korea’s war history by visiting the War History Exhibit, June 25 War Exhibit, Overseas Dispatched Troops Exhibits, and the Military Development Exhibit, as well as witness how the Korean military developed over the years. Different kinds of weapons and military equipment are exhibited as well, inside and outside the building.
The grounds of the War Memorial of Korea were once the headquarters of the Korean Infantry. Many experts from different fields were consulted numerous times and exhaustive research was done in order to complete the exhibits. This memorial is the largest of its kind in the world.
The T-37 'Tweet' is the U.S. twin-engine jet trainer which flew for over 52 years as a primary trainer of USAF since its first flight in 1954. The A-37 'Dragonfly', which is the attack version of the T-37, served in a light attack role during the Vietnam War and continues to serve in the air forces of some South American countries. The T-37 was introduced to the ROKAF in 1973 as a primary trainer and was also used by the flight demonstration team 'Black Eagles' from 1997 to 2007. After training more than 4000 student pilots for over 30 years, the T-37 was retired from ROKAF service in 2004 and the KT-1 became the new primary trainer.
The T-28 'Trojan' is the U.S. piston-engine military trainer aircraft used by the USAF and U.S. Navy from the 1950s. The T-28 was basically used as a trainer, but was successfully employed as a counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft in support of ground operations, primarily during the Vietnam War. T-28 was introduced to ROKAF in 1960 as a replacement for the old fleet of T-6 trainers. After serving as the primary trainers for the ROKAF, T-28s were withdrawn from service in 1989 and replaced by KT-1 trainers.
The O-1 'Bird Dog' is a U.S. single-engine tandem-seat liaison and observation aircraft which entered U.S. service since 1950. The O-1 was used in various utility roles such as artillery spotting and adjustment, front-line communications, MEDEVAC and training during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The O-1 Bird Dog was transferred from U.S. Forces in Korea to ROK Army, Air Force and Marines. ROKAF already operated O-1s from the Korean War era. The last of the O-1s were retired from service in 1991.
The F-86D 'Sabre Dog' is the United States transonic jet all-weather interceptor based on the F-86 Sabre Day fighter, but with a larger fuselage, larger afterburning engine and a distinctive nose Radome. The F-86D was not used in the Korean War, but was deployed to the USAF in Korea a few years after the War. ROKAF introduced the F-86D in 1960 in response to the deployment of the IL-28 all-weather bomber in North Korea. The F-86D was the supreme interceptor at the time and was replaced by the F-4D fighter in 1971.
The T-33 'Shooting Star' is a U.S. jet trainer aircraft developed from the Lockheed P-80 / F-80 jet fighter. The T-33A was used for training USAF pilots who already qualified to fly propeller-driven aircraft, while the AT-33A, which retained to machine guns for gunnery training, was also used as a combat aircraft. ROKAF introduced the T-33A in 1955 for the training of F-86 Sabre pilots and used the AT-33A for CION operations against North Korean infiltration. Replaced the T-59 Hawks, the T-33A was retired from ROKAF service in 1990.
The 'Buwhal-ho' was a Korean observation and liaison aircraft and was the first domestically manufactured aircraft. The Buwhal-ho was designed and manufactured by the instructors and technicians of the ROKAF Technical School in October 1953. Honoring the roll-out, then President Rhee Syngman named the aircraft “Buwhal-ho” which means “Resurrection Plane.” The Buwhal-ho had not been seen for almost 50 years, but in 2004, the airframe was found in a high school in the southern city of Daegu. Acknowledging its historical value, ROKAF restored the aircraft on October 1, 2004 and it is now registered as National Cultural Asset #411.
The KT-1 'Woongbi' is a Korean single-engine turboprop, basic training aircraft, jointly developed by KAI and the Agency for Defence Development (ADD.) Entered into the ROKAF service in 2000, the KT-1 was the first completely indigenous Korean aircraft ever developed. 85 KT-1s were delivered to ROKAF up to 2007 and Indonesian, Turkish and Peruvian air forces purchased KT-1s. The KA-1, a forward air control version, was introduced to ROKAF in 2005, replacing the O-2 'Skymaster.'
The K-1 Tank was developed in the 1980s by domestic Korean technology. This tank offers greater protection by adopting the Special Armor Plate. It permits observation and firing in all weather conditions and its laser range finder guarantees the highest level of accuracy.
The KM00 'Light Armored Vehicle' is a Korean 4x4 wheeled armored personnel carrier and the license produced version of the CM6614 which was developed as a joint venture of Fiat and Oto Melara of Italy. Originally intended for military and para-military operations, the KM900 can travel up to 100 km/h with a full-time all-wheel drive and is fully amphibious. ROK armed forces introduced the KM900 in the mid-1970s to defend metropolitan areas from the threat of North Korean Special Forces. ROK Army and Air Force both currently operate the KM900 and its variants, but they are being phased out of service.
The AH-1J 'Cobra' is a U.S. tandem two-seat, twin-engine attack helicopter based on the U.S. Army’s AH-1G Cobra, which was the world’s first dedicated attack helicopter. The AH-1G was developed from the UH-1 'Huey', hence shared the proven transmission, rotor system and the T53 engine of the UH-1. The AH-1G provided fire support for ground forces, escorted transport helicopters and played other roles in the Vietnam War. The ROK Army introduced eight AH-1Js in 1976 in response to increasing tank forces in North Korea and has added over 70 AH-1s since 1988.
The MIM-14 ‘Nike-Hercules’ was the U.S. solid fuel propelled two-stage surface-to-air missile developed in the 1950s to intercept Soviet bombers and ballistic missile in high and medium altitudes. The Nike-Hercules could carry either a nuclear warhead or a conventional high-explosive warhead and could be operated as a surface-to-air missile. ROK armed forces introduced the Nike-Hercules in 1965 and indigenously modified some of the inventory to NHK-1 surface-to-air missiles. With the introduction of the Patriot missile, the Nike-Hercules has been withdrawn from service.
Scud is a series of tactical ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Entered into service in 1964, Scud-B was the most prolific of the series, with a production run estimated at 7000. North Korea obtained its first Scud-Bs from Egypt in 1979 or 1980. These missiles were reversed engineered and produced using North Korean infrastructure. The first prototypes were completed in 1984 and designated ‘Hwasong-5.’ The production model even incorporated several minor improvements over the original Soviet design. It is believed that Iran acquired about 100 Hwasong-5 missiles from North Korea in 1985 and a production line was established in Iran where it was produced as the Shabab-1.
Note that these were fired at us during Desert Storm. Interestingly, the name was given to the missile by Western intelligence agencies and likely refers to the verbal usage:
(intransitive) To race along swiftly (especially used of clouds) or (transitive, intransitive, nautical) To run, or be driven, before a high wind with no sails set.
However, I'd like to think that the better option is the Scottish slang: Naked.
The MIM-23 'Hawk' was the U.S. medium range surface-to-air missile entered into service in 1960 to intercept the enemy aircraft at low and medium altitudes. U.S. forces made extensive upgrades to the Hawk missile and later adapted them to destroy other missiles in flight. The MIM-23 was superseded by the MIM-104 'Patriot' in 1994 and was finally phased out of U.S. service in 2002. Hawk was introduced to ROK forces in 1964 and will be retired with the introduction of the new surface-to-air missile 'Cheongung.'
The Mk4 40mm quad gun was a U.S. anti-aircraft auto cannon designed by the Swedish defense company Bofors Defence. The U.S. Navy quickly chose this gun as the standard anti-aircraft weapon and a license contract with Bofors followed in June 1941. Mostly three types of 40mm were used: the Mk1 single gun, the Mk2 twin gun and the Mk4 quad gun. The Mk4 was basically a doubled-up Mk2 and like the Mk2 it was highly successful and was immediately placed into production. The guns were installed in great quantities as World War II progressed; on Iowa Class battleship in 1945 had twenty Mk4 quad mounts. The ROKN introduced the Mk4 with the acquisition of U.S. surplus ships such as Gearing Class destroyers.
(Left) The T-34 was a Soviet medium tank first produced in 1940. It was a major factor in repelling the German invasion of the USSR in 1943 and was the most-produced tank of World War II. In early 1944, the improved T-34-85 was introduced, with a more powerful D-5 85mm gun and three-man turret design. Provided by the Soviet Union, 242 T-34-85s were the main invasion force of North Korea when the Korean War began on June 25, 1950. Without even one tank, the ROK armed forces had no means to destroy the T-34-85s. Only after the introduction of M46 tanks did the T34s no longer pose a threat.
(Right) The LVTP-7 ‘Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Personnel-7’ was a U.S. tracked, amphibious landing vehicle introduced to the USMC in 1972. Unlike the previous amphibious vehicles, the LVTP-7 is propelled in the water by two waterjets making the vehicles speed faster than its predecessors. The ROKMC introduced the LVTP-7 in 1974. With the introduction of the more advanced LVTP-7A1 in 1985, the LVTP-7 was withdrawn from service.
And why WOULDN'T you collocate a children's playground AND a wedding chapel (see below) right next to the 50 years of war memorabilia?
"Defending the Fatherland"
(At the base) Monument in Remembrance of the Korean War
The tragedy of the Korean War which began early in the morning of June 25, 1950 with North Korea’s illegal invasion of the South, resulted in over 4 million casualties, 10 million dispersed family members, and US $23 Billion in property damage across the nation.
The Republic of Korea, along with the UN forces from 21 different nations fought at the risk of their lives in order to protect democracy and national peace. The war lasted 3 years, 1 month and 2 days and the Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953.
In the half of century since the agreement, there has been great change on this land. Guns have turned into ploughs, cannon smoke into factory smoke, and gunfire into sounds of love and harmony, establishing the base for well being and national peace.
In this spirit as we commemorate the tragedy of the war, we erect this war monument in order to pay tribute to those sacrificed their lives and to leave the eternal peace to our sons and daughters with the hope and promise of the unification of the nation.
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
자유 자유롭지 않다
Tower of Korean War symbolizing an image of a bronze sword and a tree of life. The tree of life symbolizes the prosperity and peace of the Korean people.
