The 30m Memorial Space at the Foot of Apsan: the Story Behind the 1971 Relocation of Daegu Chunghon Tower

Daegu Chunghontap Memorial Tower, Moved from Suseongmot in 1958 to Apsan in 1971

Daegu Chunghontap Memorial Tower is a memorial facility honoring the patriotic spirits of those from Daegu who sacrificed their lives to protect the country during the Korean War. Its first location was near Suseongmot in Dusan-dong, Suseong-gu. After being established in 1958, it was moved to its current location at the foot of Apsan in Daemyung-dong, Nam-gu, in 1971.

The tower currently stands 30m tall, and the Bongandang (Enshrinement Hall) located to the left and right of the tower enshrines 5,321 memorial tablets. Therefore, this site is more suitable for a quiet visit to reflect on the meaning of the tower, the enshrinement hall, and the memorial space rather than as a place for consuming views.

5,321 Enshrined Tablets and Improved Visitation Routes Following the 2017 Renovation

Daegu City renovated the Chunghontap facilities, including the Bongandang, in 2017. Official guidance states that the site is equipped with an office, restrooms, an elevator, a lounge, and a parking lot. Visitors who find it difficult to use stairs may prioritize a route using the elevator located near the parking lot.

This facility is not structured like a 24-hour viewing museum where staff guidance is always available. According to Daegu City guidance, staff are not on duty on closed days and public holidays, so incense burners and incense are not provided. For institutional or group visits, incense and burners can be provided if contacted in advance.

Open Daily with Free Admission; For Incense Inquiries, Contact 053-803-7452 in Advance

Tourism information indicates that Chunghontap is open daily with free admission. No separate tickets or online reservations are required. A realistic timeframe for a short visit to the tower and the enshrinement hall is about 20 to 40 minutes.

However, "open daily" does not mean staff are always present. Inquiries regarding the provision of incense and burners or group visit schedules can be made to the Chunghontap office at 053-803-7452, and administrative inquiries to the Daegu City Welfare Policy Division at 053-803-6341. The official information page is https://www.daegu.go.kr/index.do?menu_id=00936131.

• Opening: Open daily
• Admission: Free
• Holidays/Public Holidays: Staff not on duty, incense and burners not provided
• Institutional/Group Visits: Incense and burners provided upon prior contact

Access via 'Across from Chunghontap' Stop (Bus No. 410) and Hyeonchungno Station Exit 3

By public transportation, you can use the 'Across from Chunghontap' stop on Daegu City Bus No. 410. Bus No. 410 starts from Apsan Park and passes through the 'Across from Chunghontap' stop, the front of Daemyung Middle School, across from Daedeok Cultural Center, Anjirang Junction, and Exit 3 of Hyeonchungno Station on Metro Line 1.

Bus numbers 300, 410, 410-1, 750, Namgu 1, and Namgu 1-1 are also mentioned in transport information for the direction of the Apsan Park entrance. However, as actual routes, dispatch intervals, and stop locations may change, it is safer to check the Daegu City Bus Information just before departure. The address of Chunghontap is 540, Apsansunhwan-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu.

Vehicles Prohibited Inside the Tower Grounds; Walking Required from the Parking Lot

Chunghontap has a parking lot, but official Daegu City guidance states that vehicles are not allowed to enter the inner grounds of the Chunghontap space. Even if arriving by car, you must walk to the tower and the enshrinement hall after parking, so it is recommended to check the location of the elevator first if traveling with someone with mobility issues.

Electric vehicle charging facilities are indicated at the Chunghontap parking lot and are registered for 24-hour use. However, the availability of chargers and parking space may vary depending on the site conditions. Around June 6th (Memorial Day), there is a possibility of memorial events and high visitor traffic, so it is better to adjust general visits to other dates or early hours.

1.2 km from Chunghontap to Anjiranggol, a Standard for Connecting to Apsan Jarak-gil Trail

Chunghontap is also a junction for Apsan Park and the Apsan Jarak-gil Trail. According to Jarak-gil records, the section from Chunghontap to Anjiranggol is approximately 1.2 km and takes about 35 minutes on foot. If you wish to add a walk along flat and gentle forest paths after paying your respects, you can include this section as a separate itinerary.

Conversely, planning a hike to the summit of Apsan in one go involves a different level of difficulty. A hiking record starting from the Chunghontap parking lot and connecting Apsan Observatory, the summit, Mansujeong, Eunjeoksa, and the cable car station took 7.0 km and 3 hours and 16 minutes. It is best to plan a visit to Chunghontap itself and mountain hiking separately based on gear, footwear, and physical strength standards.

Elevators and Accessible Restrooms Available, but Consider the Nature of the Memorial Space

Since the 2017 renovation, elevators and restrooms for the disabled have been provided, reducing the burden of moving via stairs. Wheelchair and stroller users are advised to check the section connecting the parking lot and elevator, as well as vehicle control on event days, by calling the Chunghontap office at 053-803-7452 before departure.

Whether permanent foreign language commentary in English or Chinese is provided is not confirmed in the official guidance. Foreign visitors should understand in advance the nature of the site as a 'Korean War memorial for Daegu-born fallen service members,' and appropriate visitation behavior includes refraining from photography and loud conversations inside the tablet enshrinement hall. Video search results were not obtained due to exceeding the daily search limit of the service provided.