The Korean War Memorial

Last week I worked shift (which was really tough) but as a reward, I got Monday off:) After spending 4 hours on skype with my family, first watching them enjoy a steak dinner then doing some long overdue catching up, we still had time for some sightseeing. We were going to go to Namsan Tower but the visibility was low due to light rain so we opted to see the nearby Korean War Memorial instead. I can't speak for Amber and the kids but to me it was fascinating.
The main building was closed because everything is closed on Mondays, but the grounds surrounding the museum are filled with weapons, planes, tanks, and even a submarine. Not to mention the beautiful monument.
Addy and Logan had a blast running up and down the cargo holds of the bombers, most of the planes had stairs leading up to open doors so you could go inside and see.
This plane dropped crates full of tank fuel.
Logan had a fun time looking at all of the sights.
Our little roaring tigers.
I don't know if you can tell in this picture but there is some pretty heavy bondo work on the turret of this tank, It was cool to think that many of these weapons of war, especially the North Korean ones, had seen action.
here is comrade Addy Jong-il giving on the spot guidance to an anti-aircraft battalion...
Logan is serious about aiming his turret...
I would hate to be at the other end of these babies...
A view to a kill...
The statues on the main monument were huge, the kids were hardly the size of the soldier's boot.
These days Logan is rarely seen without his scooter... sure beats walking.
We have now seen the monument to the Korean war in D.C. as well as the one in Seoul, there were only two similarities between the two (as far as I could tell) Both had the inscription reminding us that "Freedom is not Free" and both featured statues with very dramatic faces. The one in D.C. shows U.S. soldiers walking through a mine field which makes sense since from the perspective of a U.S. soldier, that is what the conflict may have meant. Fear of death and an unsure cause that was pulling them across a snowy field laden with deadly mines. Their faces were detailed in a way that really projected that fear and uncertainty. The faces on the various people depicted on the statues in Seoul also exuded emotion, but not of fear. There was anger, sadness, resolve and purpose that seemed to outweigh any fear.
The statues are made up of two groups of people pressing forward in a circular pattern. The description of the monument did not specify who was being represented, after making up my own mind on the matter it struck me as strange that the truth was not disclosed in the description. It felt kind of like looking at the graves of confederate soldiers laid to rest and honored at the national cemetery in Virginia. When facing the building, the group to the left was obviously made up of South Korean Solders and civilians, leading the pack was this strong figure grasping the edge of the Korean flag. He is flanked by another fierce character stretching forth his had as if to warn anybody who would dare get in the way of their advance. Following the leaders are various military folk, one of whom is holding an orphaned girl. He was followed by an older man with his traditional backpack full of his earthly belongings symbolizing the exodus of many to the South throughout the conflict. Next came the woman prostrate on the ground crying and reaching out as if she is begging her son or husband not to go. Lastly were a group of children with fists clenched and raised as if they are meeting someone at the flagpole to fight. I am not sure if this was to show that even the children were engrossed in the battle or if it was to portray the powers at war as children picking a fight.
On the right side the group of statues is fast on the trail of the boys at the end of the left group, (who seem unaware of the stone faced men coming their way). The description did not say so but it was clear to me that these were the brothers from the North. They have no banner to give them away but the emotionless face of the lead soldier betrays the intent of the sculptor. A man on a mission as if he is brainwashed into finishing a task given by a mystical general. Though he follows the South in the never ending circle, he is the aggressor, nothing in his face to denote a moral battle being fought between families, neighbors, fathers and sons or even a resolve to defend his home. He is a powerful puppet brought to life by an untouchable master. Behind him are fearless troops including a woman soldier, another clue pointing to the true identities of the ambiguous throng. Next came the one common player on both sides, the innocent who had now power but to run and attempt to dodge the pieces of their collapsing world. Last of all is a grown man who appears shirtless and in a martial arts stance seemingly anticipating the charge coming from the South. The War, as all wars, has over the years been politicized and those hoping to gain a foothold in the political arena have done their best to foresee hindsight so that they can invest themselves entirely in whichever viewpoint is popular and is seen as "right". One author likened the Korean war to a family feud, stating that only brothers who had loved each other so much could fight so brutally. Where are these brothers now?
It won't be long now and those who remember the war will all be gone.
The other main monument is called a tree of life as well as the Sword of Korea, depending on how you look at it, either way, the tree or the sword are both split and thus incomplete and useless in their function without the other half.
Who knows what the future holds but mark me down as one who would love to be around for unification. Part of me just wants to see those two old men go home together.


This is the North Korean Mig fighter used by a defector to fly to the South, it was cool to see the actual jet.