Designation of cultural heritage

National registered cultural heritage (Designation date: October 24, 2007)

The United Nations Memorial Cemetery is the only cemetery in the world dedicated to those killed in action fighting under the flag of the United Nations. The cemetery was constructed on public land in 1951 to accommodate the bodies of U.N forces that had been temporarily interred at multiple sites across the country. Approximately 11,000 members of the U.N. forces were buried here from 1951 through 1954. Among those participating in the Korean War through military or medical support, seven countries (Belgium, Colombia, Ethiopia, Greece, Luxemburg, the Philippines, and Thailand) have repatriated the remains of all of their nationals. Other countries have transferred the remains of part of their casualties. Currently, remains of approximately 2,300 people from 11 countries, including 37 Koreans, are resting in peace at this cemetery. This site maintains its original function today with additional burials taking place whenever the remains of U.N. soldiers are discovered. A global campaign known as Turn Toward Busan is underway that invites people to pay a one-minute silent tribute to those sacrificed for the cause of peace every November 11 while facing in the direction of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery. The main ceremony for this campaign is held at the site.