"Symbol of Freedom and Peace"... Garden of Gratitude Completed, 'Beams of Solidarity' Illuminate the Night Sky

Installed at Gwanghwamun Square, a Gathering Place for Citizens and Tourists
Stones from the Berlin Wall Used... Donated by Participating Countries
Open for Self-Guided Tours at All Times... Guided Programs Also Available

Twenty-three beams of light symbolizing the solidarity between South Korea and the 22 countries that participated in the Korean War will illuminate the night sky above Gwanghwamun in Seoul. A media experience space, where visitors from around the world can reflect on the values of freedom and peace in multiple languages, also opens its doors.

On the morning of May 12, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held a completion ceremony for the 'Garden of Gratitude' at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, as a tribute to Korean War veterans. The event was attended by ambassadors to Korea from the 22 participating countries and Korean War veterans.

On May 12th, a citizen is looking at a stone sculpture in the 'Garden of Gratitude' located at Gwanghwamun Square, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The Garden of Gratitude is a space created to honor the countries that participated in the Korean War, consisting of 23 stone sculptures representing 22 countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, as well as an underground media exhibition space. 2026.5.12 Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang

The attendees toured both the above-ground and underground areas of the Garden of Gratitude, including symbolic sculptures, taking time to understand the purpose and meaning behind the space. Kim Changgyu, Director-General of Balanced Development at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "Gwanghwamun Square is a symbolic space layered with history and the daily lives of citizens," and introduced, "It is meaningful that the Garden of Gratitude, a place where we can encounter and feel the values of freedom and peace, has been created here."

The Garden of Gratitude, which began construction in November 2025 and was completed in just six months, consists of the above-ground symbolic sculpture 'Light of Gratitude 23' and the underground media experience space 'Freedom Hall.'

'Light of Gratitude 23' is made of dark gray granite stone. The 23 sculptures, each 6.25 meters tall, are arranged in a row in the order the countries participated in the war, starting with the United States, then the United Kingdom, Australia, and finally South Korea. Some of the stones were donated by participating countries, embodying the spirit of international solidarity and cooperation.

Currently, stones donated free of charge by seven countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway, have been used; when visitors scan a QR code with their smartphones, they can access detailed explanations. For Germany, stones from the Berlin Wall—a symbol of division—were used. Kim explained, "Additionally, stones from three more countries are being shipped by sea, and we are in discussions with two other countries."

Every night from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. (from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. during winter), a nighttime light show illuminates the Gwanghwamun sky, with beams projected upward from the 23 sculptures. The light show runs for 10 minutes every 30 minutes, six times a day.

As visitors descend the stairs from the sculptures toward Freedom Hall, they find the phrase "From a country that received help to a country that gives help" written on the left wall, and "Freedom is not free" on the right wall. The first media installation that greets visitors in a solemn atmosphere is the 'Memorial Wall.' Twenty-three triangular LEDs display vibrant content inspired by the national flowers of each participating country and a waterfall video expressing gratitude for the sacrifices of the veterans. The names of the veterans are engraved at both ends of the LED wall, while statues of the veterans appear between waterfalls in the center, creating a magnificent scene.

On the 11th, the aboveground sculpture of the 'Garden of Gratitude' installed at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is being tested for lighting operation. Photo by Yonhap News

Through a large spherical LED sphere called the "Window of Connection," visitors can view live scenes from Times Square in New York, USA, and experience vivid videos reconstructed with artificial intelligence (AI) from photos taken during the Korean War. In the archiving area, visitors can ask questions and listen to answers from veterans of each country in interview sessions. For example, Charles Ross, a U.S. soldier sent to Korea (born in 1928), shared vivid stories of how he advanced as far as North Korea.

Starting on May 13, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will offer guided exhibition programs for domestic and international visitors to the Garden of Gratitude. Self-guided tours without the program are always available. The guided exhibition program will be held 12 times a day, from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays), between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., with a maximum of 20 participants per session. Reservations can be made through the Seoul Metropolitan Government's public service reservation system, and English-language tours are also available for foreign visitors.

Kim Seongbo, Acting Mayor of Seoul, stated, "The Garden of Gratitude, completed together with the 22 participating countries including South Korea, will become more than just a landmark of Seoul; it will be a place of memory and connection that unites the world and generations. As a member of the international community, we will continue to uphold the values of freedom and peace and strive to fulfill our responsibilities in building a better world."

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