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Washington, D.C., District of Columbia / Landmarks

Korean War Veterans Memorial

A poignant national memorial honoring U.S. and South Korean service members who fought against North Korea's 1950 invasion of South Korea, featuring striking stainless steel statues and a detailed mural wall.

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Korean War Veterans Memorial
Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain

What is the Korean War Veterans Memorial known for?

The memorial is known for its 19 stainless steel statues of service members and a 164-foot long mural wall containing approximately 2,400 images of service members and equipment.

What are the hours for the Korean War Veterans Memorial?

The memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Is it free to visit?

Yes, admission to the memorial is free.

Where is the memorial located?

It is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., just southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and south of the Reflecting Pool.

What is the Wall of Remembrance?

Completed in 2022, the Wall of Remembrance is a 100-panel wall that includes the names of 36,574 American service members and over 7,100 KATUSA members who died defending South Korea.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Korean War Veterans Memorial is a national landmark in Washington, D.C., dedicated to honoring the U.S. armed forces who served during the Korean War. Authorized by Congress on October 28, 1986, the site was officially dedicated on July 27, 1995, by President Bill Clinton and South Korean President Kim Young Sam. It serves as a living center to educate visitors about the sacrifices made in defending South Korea. The memorial's architecture is defined by its striking visual elements. The most iconic feature is the set of 19 stainless steel statues representing service members in a field. The site also features a mural wall that is 164 feet long and eight inches thick, which forms an isosceles triangle in plan view. This wall contains approximately 2,400 images of service members and equipment from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. In 2022, the Wall of Remembrance was completed and opened to the public on July 27. This new addition consists of 100 panels and lists the names of 36,574 American service members and more than 7,200 members of the Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army (KATUSA) who gave their lives. A kiosk containing the Korean War Honor Roll stands at the west entrance, providing visitors with information about those who served. Located on the National Mall, the memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Park rangers are available daily, except on December 25, to provide talks and answer questions for visitors.

Visitor tips

  • Admission is free, making it a budget-friendly stop on your tour.
  • Visit during the morning or evening to avoid the largest crowds on the National Mall.
  • Look for the park rangers available from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily to get more detailed historical context.
  • Use the kiosk at the west entrance to search for specific service members in the Korean War Honor Roll.

Nearby context

The memorial is located on the National Mall, situated southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and directly across the reflecting pool from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Sources

Evidence and links