Is admission to the War Memorial of Korea free?

Yes, admission to the War Memorial of Korea is free. However, the Children's Museum requires a separate online reservation in advance.

Where should I park when visiting the War Memorial of Korea?

The memorial has a parking lot, but it can get crowded on weekends. It is recommended to use the 'Samgakji Public Parking Lot' nearby, which is cheaper and closer to restaurants.

What can children see at the War Memorial?

Children can explore the outdoor exhibition featuring tanks and planes, the Chamsuri 357 patrol boat, and the indoor museum with a Turtle Ship model. The Children's Museum offers interactive history lessons.

Is there a place to eat nearby?

Yes, 'Yongnidan-gil' is located right next to the memorial and offers a variety of trendy cafes and restaurants suitable for family dining.

What is the best way to get to the War Memorial of Korea?

It is conveniently located near Samgakji Station (Lines 4 and 6), Exit 12.

War Memorial of Korea: A Meaningful Trip in Seoul with Kids (Peace Education & Tips)

I usually try to avoid exposing my child to sensational news, but one day, my child suddenly asked me a question. "Mom, Ukraine and Russia are at war, right? Who wins if they fight?" I answered, "If a war starts, both sides lose," but my child just tilted their head in confusion.

Seeing that expression, I realized something. Real education isn't about long explanations, but about letting them see and feel it for themselves. To teach my child the weight of war and the preciousness of peace, our family headed straight to the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul.

War Memorial of Korea Outdoor Exhibition

Visitor Information & Parking Tips

Before diving into the tour, let's look at some essential information and parking tips. Checking the parking information is especially recommended if you are visiting on a weekend.

Basic Information

Admission to the War Memorial of Korea is free, making it a burden-free destination. However, the Children's Museum, which kids love, operates on a 100% online advance reservation system, so checking the website before visiting is essential.

Location: 29 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Samgakji Station, Line 4 & 6, Exit 12)
Hours: 09:30 ~ 18:00 (Last admission 17:30)
Closed: Every Monday
Admission: Free
Children's Museum: Free (※ Online reservation required)

War Memorial of Korea Children's Museum

An educational space to learn the value of patriotism through lessons of war, War Memorial of Korea Children's Museum.

warmemo.or.kr

Parking Tip: Use 'Samgakji Temporary Public Parking'

I remember visiting on a weekend before and hovering around because the memorial parking lot was full. So this time, I looked for an alternative from the start.

We used 'Samgakji 1 Public Parking Lot', which is a 10-minute walk away. From experience, there were plenty of spots even on weekends, and the route was convenient as it is right next to 'Yongnidan-gil', where we planned to have dinner. The fee is about 3,000 KRW (approx. $2.15 USD) per hour, which is affordable for downtown Seoul.

Samgakji Temporary Public Parking Lot

[TIP] 50% Parking Fee Discount You can receive a 50% discount on parking fees if you fall under the following categories. Please check before payment.

Seoul Dadung-i Happy Card Holders (For local residents with multiple children)
Light Vehicles (Compact cars)
Low-Emission Vehicles

Outdoor Exhibition Area

Entering the right side of the War Memorial square, giant fighter jets, tanks, and armored vehicles seen only in books or TV overwhelm your view. If your child is young, instead of explaining every exhibit in order, I recommend following their curiosity and talking freely about what catches their eye.

Giant Tanks and Planes: A Playground for Kids

The outdoor exhibition area is like a huge playground for children. It is good to give them a chance to experience it firsthand, such as touching the heavy tanks or looking closely at airplane propellers.

War Memorial Outdoor Exhibition

Traces of Battle: Chamsuri 357 Patrol Boat

Among the many exhibits, I highly recommend seeing the 'Chamsuri 357 Patrol Boat', which fought in the actual 'Second Battle of Yeonpyeong' in 2002. The vivid bullet marks on the hull show the intensity of the situation at that time. Holding your child's hand, you can explain, "These are the traces of soldiers fighting to protect the country," and have a conversation about the meaning of peace.

Chamsuri 357 Patrol Boat

Flags of Participating Nations and Memorial Tablets

On one side of the exhibition hall, there are flags of the nations that helped South Korea during the Korean War (1950-1953) and memorial tablets engraved with the names of the fallen. It serves as a good history lesson to find flags of countries you know with your child or look at the names and say, "Thanks to their sacrifice, we can live in peace now."

Flags of Participating Nations

Indoor Museum

After the outdoor tour, you can continue to the indoor exhibition hall. If your child is young, they might find the museum boring, so rather than trying to see every exhibition room, it is better to let them freely view the rooms they are interested in.

Indoor exhibition hall displaying tanks and airplanes.

Indoor Exhibition Hall Overview

Especially, there is a scaled model of the Turtle Ship (Geobukseon), an ironclad warship from the Joseon Dynasty, in the indoor museum. Kids usually love it, so I recommend checking it out.

Indoor Exhibition Hall

Top 10 Indoor Attractions for Kids in Seoul - GybeLife

Explore Seoul's 10 best indoor attractions for kids. Find all-weather fun at museums and theme parks, perfect for any family outing.

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Amenities & Souvenirs

If you have been watching for a long time, taking a break is essential. The 'Context Cafe' on the 1st floor is a good place for adults to have coffee and kids to have snacks while resting.

Cafe Context

The souvenir shop next to the cafe captures children's eyes. It is a good way to talk with your child about what was most memorable today and gift a small souvenir to cherish the day.

War Memorial Souvenir Shop

Dining at Yongnidan-gil

For dinner after the tour, I recommend 'Yongnidan-gil' right next door. If you used the 'Samgakji 1 Public Parking Lot', the route is very convenient.

In a young and lively atmosphere completely different from the calm atmosphere of the memorial, it is good to have a meal while organizing the stories shared throughout the day. You can complete a perfect day course that captures both education and fun.

Eating Injeolmi rice cake, noodles, eggs, and Galbi at Gobongdang restaurant in Yongnidan-gil.

Yongnidan-gil Gobongdang

Visiting the War Memorial of Korea again as an adult comes with a completely different weight than in school days. A visit that started with a child's small curiosity makes parents think more about 'how to teach the preciousness of peace'. Rather than avoiding war because it is sensational, facing the facts as they are can be excellent education.

If you want to spend a meaningful day with your child in Seoul, I strongly recommend the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan as a place to visit.