By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Alfonso Delgado from the Philippines
Photos = Korea.net DB

On June 6 on the occasion of Memorial Day, sirens all over Korea at 10 a.m. will wail to remind everyone to pause for a minute and remember those who died for their country. And at Seoul National Cemetery in the capital’s Dongjak-gu District, the nation’s fallen eternally rest on the plain and hills surrounded by a forest as if to guard them as they rest in eternal slumber.

Over the years, I have walked around the cemetery because of its serenity and beauty. In spring, it hosts lanes filled with cherry blossoms that rival those in Seoul’s district of Yeouido and Namsan Mountain. And in autumn, the fall colors of the trees and foliage are as charming and sentimental as those in other hills and mountains in Seoul.

This place is quiet, especially on ordinary days when only a few people are seen strolling around to visit the graves of family members who died during the Korean War or simply walk around and absorb its tranquility.

Rows and rows of headstones marking each grave line up in perfect geometry here, looking like battalions of soldiers ready to go to war. Sadly, they all fought their last battles and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

On Memorial Day, the cemetery will be visited by thousands of people paying their respects and honoring the memories and lives of the soldiers, police officers, martyrs and other unnamed heroes here who will be forever remembered and honored.

And as I roamed the cemetery for the first time on a cool autumn day last year, I paid my respects not only to heroes whose remains were identified but also for those who remain unknown.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the remains of an estimated 165,000 soldiers, police officers, martyrs, reserve officers and citizens of merit are entombed here. At Memorial Tower, memorial tablets honor 104,000 soldiers whose bodies were never found and about 7,000 others whose remains were never identified. Though their remains are missing or unidentified, they still receive the honor and respect of a fallen hero.

Memorial services at the cemetery will be held for these heroes, and those who wish to join and pay their respects can drive there or get off Dongjak Station (Line 4 or 9) on the Seoul subway. No picnics are allowed here as the cemetery is considered sacred ground.



wisdom117@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.