Memorial honoring 22 nations in Korean War opens at Gwanghwamun Square

A memorial at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, honoring the 22 countries that sent troops or other forms of support to South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, opened to the public on Tuesday.

An opening ceremony for the Garden of Gratitude unveiled 23 sculptures symbolizing South Korea and the 22 nations that supported the country under the United Nations flag following North Korea's invasion of the South on June 25, 1950.

The stone sculptures, shaped in the form of rifle salutes, stand at 6.25 meters (20.5 feet) tall and beam lights from the top at night.

Arranged from south to north, they represent each of the 22 nations in the order in which they entered the war, with the sculpture symbolizing South Korea at the northern end.

The memorial also features an underground hall with a media exhibition on South Korea's recovery from the war.

“Gwanghwamun Square, where Koreans and foreigners freely meet, is where the Garden of Gratitude can shine most brightly,” Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said at the ceremony.

Before its opening, the memorial drew questions from some civic groups over its location, as Gwanghwamun is home to statues of premodern-era figures, such as King Sejong the Great (1397-1450) of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

Oh, who spearheaded the project, is running for re-election in the June 3 local elections. He is currently suspended from mayoral duties after registering as a preliminary candidate in April.

The 22 countries that supported South Korea during the war are the United States, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and Turkey.

Yonhap