Exploring Battle Sites and Veterans/Security Facilities Bearing the Scars of Division

Hantongyeohyeop, 80 Participants of Various Age Groups Share Importance of Unification Security
Expectations to Promote Unification Security, Veterans Awareness, and Spread Unification Consensus

The Korea National Unification Women’s Association (President An Junhee), recognized as one of the leading women’s unification organizations in Korea, conducted a “Field Trip and Special Lecture on Historic Sites and Veterans/Security Facilities to Promote Unification Security Awareness” on the 15th and 16th.

This field trip was part of the “Peaceful Unification Security Colloquium with Citizens,” a Seoul city public project, designed to foster a correct understanding of the Korean War and veterans’ history, and to realize the precious value of freedom. It aimed to promote unification security awareness and expand the consensus on unification. The trip took place at historic and veterans memorial facilities and security sites in Gyeongsangbuk-do and the Busan area, where scars and relics of division remain. A total of 83 citizens from various age groups (under 10 to 80s) participated.

On the first day, the group departed from Yangjae-dong, Seoul at 8 a.m. and traveled to Chilgok, Gyeongbuk, visiting the Dabudong Battle Site Memorial Hall, where the fiercest battles of the Korean War took place. They watched a promotional video and toured the memorial facilities. They also offered incense and paid respects at the National Patriots’ Memorial Monument, followed by visits to the National Defense Peace Memorial Hall and Waegwan Railroad Bridge (Bridge of National Defense). Through explanations by local expert guides and records preserved in the memorial hall about the resistance and war, participants understood the causes of the Korean War, the brutal conflict, and the process leading to the armistice, strengthening their resolve to seek roles and take action for unification security.

On the second day, the group moved to Busan and visited the Naval Operations Command, a security site. They boarded the Dokdo ship and watched a promotional video about the key roles of the Naval Operations Command and the Dokdo ship. After touring the interior and exterior facilities of the Dokdo ship, they gathered on the deck holding the Taegeukgi (Korean national flag) and paper placards, shouting slogans such as “From Independence Movement to Unification!”, “Strong National Security, Love the Nation, Love the Navy!”, and “Let’s Protect the Free Republic of Korea,” performing a ceremony wishing for “Freedom, Peace, Unification, and Security.”

Additionally, at the Busan Indian Cultural Center seminar room, Dr. Kim Changwoo (Professor at Gangneung-Wonju National University) was invited to give a special lecture titled “Veterans History for the Protection of the Free Republic of Korea,” reflecting on the significance of veterans’ history. The group then visited the Busan United Nations Memorial Cemetery, where UN soldiers who sacrificed their lives for world peace and freedom rest. They laid flowers and paid respects at the memorial tower, toured the burial sites by participating countries with a guide, commemorated the noble sacrifices of the UN forces, and pledged to work together to protect the Free Republic of Korea.

The field trip concluded with a visit to the Temporary Capital Memorial Hall, which preserves painful memories of the Korean War, including the residence used by President Syngman Rhee (Historic Site No. 546), the memorial hall, and the outdoor exhibition area. On the chartered bus returning from Busan to Seoul, participants also had the opportunity to present evaluations and reflections on the field trip and special lecture, making it a very meaningful and beneficial time.

President An Junhee said, “This time, not only did participants range in age from 9 to 82, but families including parents with two children, father and daughter, mother and son, and mother and daughter participated together, making it even more meaningful. I hope this will be an opportunity to empathize with the importance of unification security and to find and practice roles for national security and unification.” She added, “I am grateful for the active cooperation of the institutions visited such as the Dabudong Battle Site Memorial Hall, National Defense Peace Memorial Hall, Naval Operations Command, and Temporary Capital Memorial Hall, as well as the efforts of the staff who prepared and conducted this field trip and ensured the safety and beneficial schedule for participants.”

Participant Choi Younghee (Vice President of the Korea Veterans Association) said, “Visiting the historic sites deeply made me feel the pain of division and reminded me of the importance of national security. I will do my best to contribute even a small part toward unification in the future.” Hong Euiyeol, head of the Cheorwon County branch of the Korea National Unification Women’s Association, said, “It was a precious and meaningful schedule that will remain in memory for a long time with my daughter. I will share what I saw, felt, and learned with members and participate more actively in our association’s activities going forward.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.