War Memorial of Korea

The War Memorial of Korea is located within walking distance from one of the exits of USAG Yongsan in Seoul.  Bill and I walked through one day with the intention of locating the story of my mother's brother-in-law, Richard Smock, who was killed in the Korean War.

This is the junior General MacArthur tree.  It is a white pine tree grown from a seed of the official MacArthur tree that the US designated as a memorial to the man for his service.

This monument is outside the museum.  It depicts a Korean soldier in the south reuniting with his brother in the north, their embrace bringing the halved nation together.  This is an overriding theme here.  As much as South Koreans want to be one Korea, most think winning a war is the only way that can happen, and no one wants war.

Inside this monument are statistics on the Korean war and a mural honoring all the countries who sent men, women, and resources to aid the battle against the spread of communism.

Also outside the museum were planes, ships, tanks, all of which could have been used in the 1950s.

 The building behind these missiles is the museum itself.  Inside, there was history of ALL the wars this country has seen over hundreds of years.

A drum that was in the front lobby.

Below is a saddle and stirrups.  I would not want to ride in that saddle.  And my feet wouldn't fit in those stirrups.

Saddle and bits

a painting of one of the many battles  Korea has seen

Battle flags

There was so much to see here.  Much of it was the history of Korea as an ancient nation with different Korean factions fighting one another for power.  A united Korea eventually saw occupation by China and Japan, with the Japanese occupation of nearly 40 years still fresh in some minds here.  The Japanese occupation was brutal to the Korean people, and they continue to ask for acknowledgement and apology from the current Japanese government (as does China for Japan's occupation of much of its country).  Korea existed as a united, independent (?) country immediately after World War II for only a few years when the 'Red Menace' decided to answer the Allied control of Japan and much of Asia with their own solution.  A divided Korea was the best solution the world could come up with, no solution to the Korean people who share a language, culture and history too strong to be separated.

We visited back in February of 2015 and did not find my uncle's name on the wall of US soldiers lost in Korea.  We were looking under the wrong state, not realizing he was not born in South Dakota.  I came home and Googled him, finding he died in Korea doing his best to help a poorly equipped South Korean force.  Hopefully I will get back to the War Memorial of Korea to find his name, perhaps this Veterans' Day.

Hwaseong Fortress 2015

The major I work with wanted to see Hwaseong Fortress, so she and I headed out one day to look around  It is about 45 minutes from Pyeongtaek, a fairly easy drive for us.  Bill and I had visited once before, but we only had about an hour and a half to look around, and you really need more time than that.  Below is the entrance to the main palace grounds.

This fortress was built from 1794 to 1796 by King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty to house and honor the remains of his father Prince Sado, who had been murdered by being locked alive inside a rice chest by his own father King Yeongjo after failing to obey the command to commit suicide. 

 The front walkway was adorned with many of the metal figures and painted tiles.  The photos do not do the painted tiles justice.

As we approached the main entrance of the fortress, we saw a large gold Buddha statue off to the l left.  We knew we would check it out after the palace grounds.

The walkway is divided into three sections: the larger center section is for royalty, and the smaller outer sections are for less important people.

 A room for resting...

This is a mock up of what it may have looked like to have a guest presenting gifts to the king and queen.

This little house was on our way up the hill to the Buddhist temple.  The gate was beautiful tile.

Trump l'oeil painting on a building

Entrance to the shrine

The Buddha.  Below is a room where you can enter to light an offering.

 The temple bell is here in this small tower.  The stairs were closed off.

 This is the city of Suwon as viewed from the top of the fortress wall.  It was a decent climb.

The hole in the wall is slanted down so boiling water/oil or arrows can be aimed down to the attackers below.

This bell was along the fortress wall.  For a fee of 1000 won, you could ring it 3 times.

The bell made a really gentle sound when you applied the wooden ringer.  It had a very Asian, Buddhist sound.

Beautiful, right?  Korea continues to amaze me with its beauty and history.

King Jeongjo

The fortress wall still weaves through much of the city.

Above is one of the four main gates and is in the middle of a very busy intersection!  The Major and I had a great day walking and climbing and walking.