Special Exhibition Opens at War Memorial to Honor 'Heroes of the Hill Battles'

A special exhibition dedicated to commemorating the fierce history of hill battles and honoring the valor of national heroes who fought in the Korean War opened on June 27 at a designated space on the second floor of the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Organized by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the exhibit will run for a month, concluding on July 27.

The opening ceremony welcomed a distinguished roster of attendees, including Minister Kang Jeong-ae of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Baek Seung-joo, President of the War Memorial Project Association, Lee Min-soo, Director of the Army Museum, Son Hee-won, Chairman of the Korean War Veterans Association, and Park Myung-ho, President of the Baekma Hill Battle Veterans’ Association.

Family members of decorated war heroes such as General Kim Woong-soo, renowned for his role in the Arrowhead Ridge battle, and Sergeant Choi Jae-hyo, recognized for his actions at Hill 281, were also present. The ceremony included the national anthem, commemorative speeches, congratulatory addresses, greetings from the families of war heroes, a ribbon-cutting, and a guided tour of the exhibit.

The exhibition places a spotlight on the heroism and sacrifices shown during the crucial hill battles. The first section presents the context and significance of these battles through video content. In the second section, stories of heroes who took part in the hill offensives are introduced alongside key documents and artifacts from major engagements. Notably, personal belongings of General Kim Woong-soo, preserved by his family, are also on special display.

In the third section, posters of the Korean War’s 'Hero of the Month' and corresponding hero sculptures are set up, with a photo zone where visitors are invited to reflect on the names and devotion of these individuals. The final section provides space for guests to leave messages of gratitude and remembrance to the war heroes.

On July 5, in conjunction with the exhibition, renowned historian Choi Tae-sung will give a lecture at the War Memorial’s Lee Byeong-hyeong Hall titled “The Hidden Heroes and Vivid Stories of the Korean War Hill Battles.”

Minister Kang Jeong-ae expressed hope that “the legacy of the Korean War and the noble dedication of its heroes will remain in all our hearts,” and affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to “continuing to express gratitude for the service of national merit recipients through diverse initiatives.”

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Korea Policy Briefing