5 days in Seoul, Korea-5/17-5/22/2023

Day 5: War Museum in Seoul-5/21/23

Indoors, the memorial focuses on the Korean War and Vietnam War.  The main building of the War Memorial of Korea has multiple rooms and galleries: the Memorial Hall, The War History Room, The Korean War Room, The Expeditionary Forces Room, The ROK Armed Forces Room, The Exhibition Hall for Donated Artifacts, and The Exhibition of Large Military Equipment.

On the wall the following words are inscribes: Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.

On the first floor is the Exhibition of Large Military Equipment.  This exhibition room show large equipment, such as major combat weapons and aircraft of South and North Koreas in 1950.

On June 25, 1950 North Korea supplied and advised by the Soviet Union invaded of the South by surprise.  The United Nations and with the United States as the principal participant, joined the war on the side of the South Koreans, and the People’s Republic of China came to North Korea’s aid. After more than a million combat casualties had been suffered on both sides, the fighting ended in July 1953 with Korea still divided into two hostile states.  

U.S. Air force (USAF) F-16 "Sabre"

The F-16 "Sabre" was the latest jet fighter at the time.  Deployed by the US Airfoce in December 1950 in response to the Soviet mad MiG15 that threatened the airspace over the Korean peninsula.

F-51D "Mustang"  In July 1950, shortly after outbreak of the Korean War, the Korean Air Force took over the 1st F-51D "Mustang".

The Mustang, and American masterpiece developed during WWII was the primary aircraft of the Korean Air Force during the entire period of the Korean war and carried out over 8,000 missions.

T-34-85 Medium Tank. Since its first introduction in 1940, T-34 was the mainstay of the Soviet forces throughout WWII.  During the war, the Soviet produced over 48,950 tanks.  During the early stages of the Korean War in 1950, the North Korean army, equipped with 243 T-34 tanks, quickly drove the ROK forces and captured Seoul virtually unopposed.  Since Incheon Landing Operation in September, most of the North Korean's T-34 tanks were destroyed within less than one month.

LVT-3C Landing Vehicle is an amphibious landing craft used by the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.  It was developed as carriers for ship to shore operation and it could carry 30 fully armed soldiers or a vehicle as heavy as 9,000 lbs.  This is a modified version of the LVT-3 in which an armored roof was fitted and the bow extended to improve buoyancy.  During the Korean War, they were used for the Incheon Landing Operation an subsequent Han River crossing to the liberation of Seoul.

Story of the presidential Vehicle used by Syngman Rhee, the 1st president of South Korea.

Presidential Vehicle used by President Syngman Rhee.

In 1956, the United States President Eisenhower presented a sedan to Syngman Rhee, the first President of South Korea as a gift.  It was the first bullet proof vehicle introduced in Korea.  Changdeokgung Palace office and the Cultural Heritage administration transferred the car to the War Museum of Korea in April 2009.  The sedan was restored to roadworthy condition.

North Korean First President, Kim II Sung's limousine captured by Rok Army during the Korean War.

The Soviet presented a limousine to Kim II Sung as a gift before the Korean War.  The limousine was captured near the ChongChong River in PYongyang on 10/22/1950 and President Rhee, Syngman presented it to the widow of EUSA Commanding General Walton Walker who died in an accident during the war.  The limousine was broken when Ms. Walker drove on her way home to Georgia, then she had to barter it for an American car.  After 14 years of searching since 1969 the UN Korean war Allies Association (UNKWAA) found that a car collector in New Jersey was in possession of the limousine.  It was returned to Korean 31 years later on &/12/2013. UNKWAA donated the car to the War Museum of Korea in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.

Entering the Memorial hall.

The Memorial hall is a place to honor and commemorate the outstanding achievements of those who devoted themselves to the country.

Written on the wall: They are the true heroes of the republic of Korea who gave their lives for the peace of the homeland.

Hokuk Memorial Room is a place to honor and commemorate the feat of Ho Guk Seon-yeol, who dedicated himself serving the country in wars and battles from the 3 kingdoms period to the present. It is the central hall on the second floor that depicts the soul of the Unknown soldier.

Hokuk Memorial is a water filled marble bowl in the center of the room and sunlight is refracted and filtered down onto the surface of the water. It’s a truly spectacular piece.

The War Memorial of Korea has multiple rooms and galleries and this one if full of paintings.

The Korean Empire's Royal Guard in training

The battle of Gapgotjin during the French Campaign against Korea

General Gwak Jaeu winning the Battle of Jeongamjn

Kapkot-jin Battle against France Army on 16 October 1866

Military outfits during the Joseon dynasty.

The National defense was equipped with modern weapons around 1871.

The Expeditionary Forces Exhibit

South Korea dispatched its forces to Vietnam in order to contribute to world peace and requite aids from the allies during the Korean war.

The terrain and climate in Vietnam was one of the most significant elements in determining the aspects of the war.  The sweltering heat with high humidly and tropical jungles per se were the obstacles to the U.S> and ally troops.  The troops sustained severe damage by Vietnamese booby traps (2nd picture), guerilla tactics and underground caves.

Underground caves were dug below.

A camp during the war in Vietnam.

On the left is an underground tunnel that is so narrow and small.

On the right is the Korean troop aid to civil authorities.

Allies of South Vietnam and their military support.  The U.S. gave the most support from 1962 to 1973.

The collapse of South Vietnam and Exchange between Korea and Vietnam.

  As the result of the Paris Accords in January 1973. the U.S. forces withdraw from Vietnam, and the ROK forces concluded the deployment of its forces..  Afterwards, the domestic conflict continued until the victory of North Vietnam in April 1975.  Since the end of the war, the international exchange between Korea and Vietnam have been dramatically increased in governmental and civilian dimensions, and two nations maintain the strategic partnerships for the mutual prosperity in the 21st century.

ROK armed forces weapons in the present.

KT-! (prototype No. 2).  It is a basic trainer developed purely with domestic technology and the first aircraft mass produced and exported.  It is two seaters basic trainer equipped with a turbo prop engine and a head up display.  The Korean Air Force introduced in in 2000 and has been using it for flight training for pilots.  Its excellence has been recognized and exported to many countries around the world.

Weapons of the armed Forces.

K1 Submachine Gun was undependably developed in Korea.  It applied the length adjustable butt end and reduce the weight to increase portability.  It is broadly used as a personal weapon for the combatants of Special forces and combat vehicle crews.

NEXT...Day 5: Lotus Lantern festival & Lunch