Exploring the National Memorial in Goesan
159 Hoguk-ro, Mungwang-myeon, Goesan-gun
국립괴산호국원
[ Goesan Travel ]
Places to Visit in Goesan County
National Goesan Hoegukwon(국립괴산호국원)
Located in Mungwang-myeon, Goesan-gun, the National Goesan Hoegukwon is a memorial space established to honor the sacrifices and contributions of national heroes who dedicated their lives for the country. It is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, allowing anyone to visit and pay their respects with a solemn heart.
Upon entering the National Goesan Hoegukwon, the first building you encounter is the Memorial Hall. This hall serves as a space for remembrance and education, offering deeper insights into the lives and sacrifices of those who dedicated themselves to the nation. In the calm and restrained atmosphere, visitors naturally slow their pace.
Inside the Memorial Hall, you can find the exhibition titled 'Flowers of Memory Bloomed with Hanji.' This exhibition utilizes traditional Hanji paper, a national intangible heritage of Goesan, and showcases works created by local artisans to express their heartfelt tribute to the fallen heroes. To honor the 170 unmarked national heroes interred at the National Goesan Hoegukwon, 170 paper flowers and poems were created to convey the meaning of remembrance and gratitude.
Additionally, letters of appreciation written by students are displayed in the exhibition space. The heartfelt messages from the younger generation deepen the meaning of remembrance. The National Goesan Hoegukwon also offers an online space to write 'Sky Letters,' allowing those who cannot visit to express their sentiments.
Inside the Memorial Hall, there is also an exhibition related to 'Heroes in Uniform.' This campaign began in 2021 when sixth-grade students from Busan Dongshin Elementary School expressed their desire to gift uniforms to veterans through handwritten letters. With public support, this campaign became a major policy of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs in 2023 and 2024, resulting in the actual delivery of uniforms to veterans. The displayed uniforms symbolically represent their significance and value.
The second floor of the Memorial Hall houses a ritual room, which is restricted to the general public. This space is reserved for solemn ceremonies, with exhibitions primarily taking place on the first floor.
The Memorial Hall is connected to a dining area for visitor convenience. The first floor features a restaurant serving Korean dishes such as galbitang and yukgaejang, while the second floor offers a cafe and convenience store for light refreshments. Visitors can also purchase chrysanthemums needed for their tributes here.
Nearby, there is a separate building dedicated solely to rituals. This space is designed to accommodate the high number of visitors during significant times like the Lunar New Year, Chuseok, and Memorial Day, ensuring smooth tributes.
Exiting the building, you will see the Memorial Tower. This tower symbolizes the spirits of those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and peace, with the central Taegeuk pattern embodying the spirit of the unnamed heroes. The structure of the tower symbolically represents their souls ascending to the heavens.
Behind the Memorial Tower lies a vast cemetery. Here, various national heroes, including fallen soldiers and veterans, are interred, with over 20,000 graves established. Search devices are also installed to help visitors locate specific graves.
The cemetery is arranged in tiers along a long staircase, consisting of six levels known as the 'Stairs of Remembrance.' This space is designed to honor the dedication of national heroes and reflect on the significance of major veterans' commemorative days.
As visitors ascend and descend the stairs, they encounter inscriptions and illustrations on each level, prompting reflections on sacrifice and dedication with each step.
Next to the stairs is a meticulously maintained cemetery, where visitors can take a moment for quiet reflection and remembrance in a solemn yet peaceful atmosphere.
The National Goesan Hoegukwon harmonizes with the surrounding natural environment, making the visit a time for quiet contemplation. Walking through this space allows for reflection on modern Korean history and the meaning of national defense, providing a meaningful opportunity to express gratitude.
[Directions]
National Goesan Hoegukwon: 159 Hoguk-ro, Mungwang-myeon, Goesan-gun
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