UN Memorial Cemetery

North Korea suffered the most military casualties in the Korean War, with estimates indicating hundreds of thousands of military losses. This was due to heavy fighting during the conflict that lasted from 1950 to 1953.

Since its announcement last year, however, the memorial has faced mounting criticism from civic groups, opposition politicians and some residents who argue that the militaristic installation clashes with the symbolic and democratic identity of Gwanghwamun Square.

The War Memorial of Korea was one of the most impressive museums I visited in Seoul. The building itself looks grand and peaceful, surrounded by fountains, gardens, and military displays outside.

The United Nations Command established its central cemetery in Busan, Korea (formerly Pusan) in mid-January 1951. It is the only UN memorial cemetery. The cemetery contains 2,300 graves of service members from 11 countries; 36 are from the United States.