From a 1951 War Cemetery to the World’s Only UN Cemetery: UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea, Busan
The UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea is the world’s only UN cemetery, established in 1951 for UN forces who died during the Korean War. Along the cemetery grounds, the Wall of Remembrance, and the Path of the Unknown Soldier, visitors can quietly reflect on the memory of international solidarity preserved by Busan.
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Why a United Nations military cemetery was established in Daeyeon-dong, Busan, on January 18, 1951
The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea was established by the United Nations Command on January 18, 1951, to bury United Nations forces killed during the Korean War. In the process of consolidating temporary cemeteries from the front lines in one location, Daeyeon-dong in Nam-gu, Busan, became the cemetery grounds. Today, it remains the world's only United Nations memorial cemetery.
In November 1955, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea proposed that the United Nations be allowed to use the site permanently, and the UN General Assembly accepted the proposal through Resolution 977(X) on December 15 of the same year. On November 6, 1959, the Republic of Korea and the United Nations signed an agreement on its establishment and maintenance. Since 1974, it has been managed by the International Committee of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea, which consists of 11 member countries.
Two routes for reading the names of 2,300 fallen soldiers from 11 countries and 40,896 people
The cemetery currently contains the remains of 2,300 fallen soldiers from 11 countries, including South Korea, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. First-time visitors can begin at the main gate and the Symbolic Area, then proceed to the Main Cemetery, the UN Forces Memorial Tower, the Memorial Service Monument, and the Path of the Unknown Soldiers in that order to better understand the character of each site.
The Memorial Service Monument bears the names of 40,896 United Nations personnel who died in the Korean War. The Path of the Unknown Soldiers was created as an 11-tiered waterway honoring fallen soldiers whose identities are unknown. Its distinctive feature is the separation of time spent reading individual gravestones from a space for remembering collective sacrifice.
The architectural language left by Kim Jung-up's 1964 Memorial Hall and 1966 main gate
The Memorial Hall and main gate in the park were designed by Kim Jung-up, a modern Korean architect. The Memorial Hall was built in 1964, and visitors can watch a video about the Korean War and the cemetery that runs for approximately 12 minutes inside. Rather than rushing through only the cemetery grounds, it is best to plan an itinerary that includes time to watch the video.
The main gate was completed in 1966 with donations from Busan citizens. Official records explain that the interior design of the Memorial Hall reflects the significance of the 16 countries that participated in the war, while its exterior was designed with various nations and religions in mind. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea was registered as National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 359 on October 24, 2007.
Visiting hours: 09:00–17:00 from October to April and 09:00–18:00 from May to September
Opening hours are 09:00–17:00 from October to April and 09:00–18:00 from May to September, and the cemetery is open year-round. Admission is free, and the main telephone number is 051-625-0625. The official website is https://unmck.or.kr, and it is advisable to check the memorial event schedule and on-site information before setting out.
As this is a war cemetery rather than an ordinary park, visitors are expected to dress modestly. Entry may be restricted for excessively casual or revealing clothing, and bringing or consuming food inside the cemetery is not permitted. Photography for personal records is allowed, but commercial photography is prohibited.
15 minutes from Daeyeon Station Exit 3 on Line 2, and Bus 134 from Busan Station
The street address is 93 UN Pyeonghwa-ro, Nam-gu, Busan Metropolitan City, and the postal code is 48529. By subway, it takes approximately 15 minutes on foot from Exit 3 of Daeyeon Station on Busan Metro Line 2. From Seomyeon, the official information recommends taking Bus 68 and getting off at the UN Memorial Cemetery bus stop.
From Busan Station, take Bus 134 and get off at the UN Memorial Cemetery bus stop. From Gimhae International Airport, take the Busan–Gimhae Light Rail Transit, transfer to Busan Metro Line 2 at Sasang Station, and continue to Daeyeon Station. From the Nopo-dong Busan Central Bus Terminal, the recommended route is to take Bus 51 and get off at the UN Intersection (Samsung Church) bus stop.
Keep in mind the 90-minute free parking period for cars and the bus parking fee standards
Passenger cars and SUVs can use the parking lot next to the main gate free of charge for 90 minutes when visiting the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea. However, parking fees apply to large and medium-sized buses, as well as vehicles visiting other locations in addition to the cemetery. For passenger cars, the basic fee is 500 won for the first 30 minutes, followed by 200 won for every additional 10 minutes.
For large 45-seat buses, the basic fee is 1,500 won for 30 minutes, followed by 600 won per additional 10 minutes. For medium-sized 25-seat buses, the basic fee is 1,000 won for 30 minutes, followed by 400 won per additional 10 minutes. Considering the 12-minute Memorial Hall video and visits to the cemetery grounds and Memorial Service Monument, 60–90 minutes is recommended. To complete the visit within the free parking period, it is better to decide on your route first rather than spending too long at the entrance.
How not to confuse UN Peace Park with UN Sculpture Park
Unlike UN Sculpture Park and Peace Park, which are managed by Nam-gu District Office, the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea is a war cemetery operated by an international management organization. Because the three sites are close together, they may appear to form one continuous park-like area, but visitors should maintain a quiet and respectful attitude appropriate to the cemetery's character inside the memorial cemetery.
Official facility information identifies monuments to Türkiye, Greece, New Zealand, Norway, Thailand, the Philippines, and Colombia; Commonwealth, Australian, Canadian, French, British, and American monuments; veterans' graves; two ponds; and the Thailand–Korea Friendship Bridge. If you have a short itinerary, prioritize the Main Cemetery and Memorial Service Monument, then compare the national monuments if time remains.
Things to know when using flower offerings, grave searches, and foreign-language information
Those wishing to place flowers at a specific grave must first contact the management office, although visitors may bring and leave flowers themselves. The official website provides functions for searching the names and grave locations of those buried there, finding the names of fallen soldiers on the Memorial Service Monument, and making online flower offerings and memorial messages.
Whether guided tours or foreign-language assistance are regularly available may vary by schedule, so it is safest to confirm by telephone before visiting. No separate official information regarding wheelchair or stroller access was found under the current guidelines. Visitors who require assistance with slopes or mobility should therefore contact 051-625-0625 in advance.
Before You Go
- Address
- 93 UN Pyeonghwa-ro, Nam-gu, Busan Metropolitan City
- Hours
- 09:00–17:00 from October to April / 09:00–18:00 from May to September
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- 051-625-0625
- Official site
- https://unmck.or.kr
- Transport
- Approximately 15 minutes on foot from Exit 3 of Daeyeon Station on Busan Metro Line 2. From Seomyeon, take Bus 68 and get off at the UN Memorial Cemetery stop. From Busan Station, take Bus 134 and get off at the UN Memorial Cemetery stop.
- Parking
- Parking lot next to the main gate. Passenger cars and SUVs receive 90 minutes free when visiting the cemetery. Thereafter, passenger cars are charged 500 won for the first 30 minutes and 200 won per additional 10 minutes.
- Time needed
- 60–90 minutes
- Accessibility
- The official website is available in English, French, and Turkish. Advance telephone inquiries are recommended regarding wheelchair and stroller accessibility.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Please check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 4
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Busan Cultural CenterEnjoy performances and cultural events, and explore the cultural spaces. -
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National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese OccupationExplore the history and related materials of forced mobilization during the Japanese colonial period. -
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UN Memorial Hall in KoreaView exhibitions on the UN’s participation in the war and the history of the war.
Food & Dining 4
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Ssangdungi Dwaeji Gukbap Main BranchA Busan-style gukbap restaurant where you can enjoy pork gukbap and suyuk baekban. (https://info.koreacharts.com/tour/2759609/contents.html?utm_source=openai) -
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Chowon Bokguk Daeyeon Main BranchSpecializes in pufferfish soup and other pufferfish dishes.
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