Unification Park
By Jung Sung-ki, Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporters
Located near a scenic beach on the country’s East Coast in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Unification Park offers a glimpse into the tragic history of the Korean War (1950-53) that left a divided Korean Peninsula.
The 138,800 square meter park, which opened in September 2001, is composed of the Unification and Security Exhibition Hall and the Warship Exhibition Hall.
The security hall is a ship-shaped pavilion where information facilities related to the history of the Korean War are displayed. The firearms and military gear used by North Korean guerillas who unsuccessfully infiltrated into Gangneung in a submarine in 1996 are also on display in the pavilion.
In September 1996, a North Korean submarine ran aground on some underwater rocks forcing the crew to get out and try to return to North Korea. This prompted a deadly manhunt that lasted over a month. Twentyfive of 26 crew members were shot dead, while the South Korean casualties, civil and military, tallied 17.
A decommissioned 4,000-ton warship, along with the North Korean submarine, in the outside warship pavilion is a big attraction for visitors. Built in 1945, the Jeonbuk was donated by the Americans in 1972 and gradually turned into an exhibition after the Gulf War. The vessel was moved to the site in October 1999 and turned into an on-board exhibition area for people to get a naval and maritime experience.
The admission is 2,000 won for adults, 1,500 won for students and 1,000 won for children. A parking fee is 1,000 won.