Gwanghwamun's 'Garden of Gratitude' Attracts 500,000 Visitors... Sweden Also Donates Stone

500,000 Visitors in 160 Days Since Opening
Swedish Syenite Donated
"Global Culture Day - Sweden" to Be Held

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 21st that cumulative visits to Gwanghwamun's Garden of Gratitude had surpassed 500,000. The Garden of Gratitude was created to express gratitude to the countries that fought in the Korean War and their veterans, and to reflect on the values of freedom and peace.

The visitor count for the Garden of Gratitude includes visitors to the underground indoor space, "Freedom Hall," as well as the above-ground sculpture, "Light of Gratitude 23." The cumulative total of 500,000 visitors was reached 160 days after the site opened.

A view of “Light of Gratitude 23” above ground at Gwanghwamun’s Garden of Gratitude. Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Above ground, "Light of Gratitude 23" symbolically expresses gratitude to the countries that fought in the Korean War and their veterans. In the underground "Freedom Hall," visitors can learn about the history of the Korean War and the story of how the Republic of Korea grew from a country that received aid into one that provides aid, through media content.

In August, the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul donated Swedish syenite, adding a symbol of friendship between the two countries to "Light of Gratitude 23" at the Garden of Gratitude. This was the first time since the Garden of Gratitude was completed that a country that fought in the Korean War donated and installed stone there. Sweden provided medical assistance during the Korean War by sending a field hospital. The donated syenite was quarried in Ekerod, Sweden. Its deep black base has a greenish hue, and fine silver, purple, and gold crystals combine to give it a lustrous appearance.

To mark the stone donation and give citizens an opportunity to experience Swedish history and culture while reflecting on the ties between the two countries forged during the Korean War, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold "Global Culture Day - Sweden." The two-day event, scheduled for October 24 and 25, will be held in conjunction with the 2026 Gwanghwamun Bitmorak Festival and is expected to feature a range of programs, including lectures, performances, film screenings, and interactive booths.

A space where visitors can experience Swedish culture firsthand will also be set up behind the statue of King Sejong. At a children's lounge prepared with IKEA, children can enjoy Swedish children's literature, including "Pippi Longstocking," through a read-aloud program featuring Swedish storybooks.

Kang Seok, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Balanced Development Headquarters, said, "The steps taken by 500,000 visitors show that people from around the world are remembering the sacrifices of the countries that fought in the Korean War and sharing the value of peace." He added, "We will continue to expand exchanges with the countries that fought in the war and make the Garden of Gratitude a place where people around the world can come together across generations and borders."

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