UNITED NATIONS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN KOREA
BUSAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea is the only Un-designated cemetery in the world, honouring the UN soldiers who fell fighting in defence of the Republic of Korea. As well as hosting the graves of the fallen from 11 countries, it honours the 40,896 members of the UN forces from 17 countries who fell during the war.
A further five UN countries contributed troops, but suffered no war dead. Although a cemetery of fallen UN troops was established in Korea in 1951, the cemetery in Busan was established in 1955. 11,000 dead were interred originally, but most have been repatriated. The cemetery has 2,314 graves of soldiers from Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Turkey, the UK and the USA, as well as Korean casualties. The site also has several memorials to MIA soldiers.
The site includes a Memorial
Service Hall, Memorabilia Hall, Wall of Remembrance, and the UN Forces Monument. The Memorial Service Hall includes a documentary on the war, and the Memorabilia Halls contain photographs and artefacts, including the original UN flag carried by the troops. The entire cemetery is a sombre reminder of the price UN troops and others were willing to pay.
Open 365 days, Oct-apr 9am-5pm, Maysep 9am-6pm; Admission is free