23 Blue Lights to Shine at Gwanghwamun Square... Seoul to Hold Memorial for UN Korean War Veterans

Interactive Memorial Event for Residents at the Garden of Gratitude
“Memorial Candles” Light Up Gwanghwamun Square at Dusk
“Light of Gratitude 23” to Be Specially Illuminated in UN Blue at 8 p.m.

The “Light of Gratitude 23” installation at the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun will be specially illuminated tonight, November 11. The event commemorates International Memorial Day for UN Korean War Veterans, and a memorial space will be set up at the entrance to Freedom Hall.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it will hold a memorial event this evening at the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun Square to honor the sacrifices and dedication of UN Korean War veterans.

The “Light of Gratitude 23” display at the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun. Seoul Metropolitan Government.

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. Above ground, “Light of Gratitude 23” symbolizes gratitude to the participating countries and veterans. In the underground Freedom Hall, visitors can learn about the history of the Korean War and South Korea’s development through media content.

International Memorial Day for UN Korean War Veterans honors the sacrifices and contributions of those who fought in the Korean War to defend South Korea’s freedom and peace, and provides an occasion to remember them together with the countries that fought alongside the United Nations. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has prepared an interactive memorial program at the Garden of Gratitude so that residents who cannot visit the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan in person can share their remembrance and gratitude in their daily lives.

At the site, visitors can take part in the “Memorial Candle” program. Anyone who visits after sunset can receive a free LED candle and place a small light near “Light of Gratitude 23” to share their gratitude and remembrance.

At 8 p.m., “Light of Gratitude 23” will be specially illuminated in blue, the color symbolizing the United Nations. The 23 lights will turn on one by one in the order in which the countries entered the war, and the sequence will repeat 23 times. At the entrance to Freedom Hall, visitors will be able to write messages of remembrance and gratitude to UN Korean War veterans.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it hopes this memorial event will help keep the memory of UN Korean War veterans’ sacrifices and dedication alive in residents’ daily lives. It also plans to continue operating the Garden of Gratitude as an open space where residents can experience its historical significance and share the values of peace and solidarity with the countries that fought in the war. Kang Seok, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Balanced Development Headquarters, said, “The freedom and peace South Korea enjoys today would not have been possible without the sacrifices and dedication of UN Korean War veterans. I hope this memorial event will remain a cherished memory in residents’ daily lives and give them an opportunity to reflect together on the values of freedom and peace.”

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