
A symbolic space dedicated to honoring veterans and countries that participated in the 1950-53 Korean War will be built in Gwanghwamun Square by December 2025, Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday.
Called the “Garden of Gratitude,” the new project aims to remember the sacrifices of veterans who “laid the foundation for South Korea’s prosperity” and “create a space that conveys gratitude for their contributions,” according to the city government.
The city government's design plan features the sculptural installation “Light of Gratitude 22” -- a series of 22 sculptures dedicated to the 22 countries that supported South Korea during the war.
To build the sculptures, the city government plans to use black granite and engrave the sides with poems, literary works and texts in the participating countries’ languages to honor the sacrifices of the countries’ veterans. The sculptures will also be connected to each other with glass bridges, symbolizing "unity among the allied countries," according to the city government.
The granite will be obtained through donations from embassies of the 22 countries or through purchases made by the capital city.

An underground space will also be built below the sculptures, featuring a media wall that allows visitors to explore what the 22 countries look like through contemporary images and videos. The space will also be connected to Gwanghwamun Station and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts nearby.
“Without the help of our allies during the war, the Republic of Korea’s liberal democracy and prosperity would not have been possible,” Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Monday, referring to South Korea by its official name. “The Garden of Gratitude will be built at Gwanghwamun Square -- a place that has played a role as the heart of our nation for 600 years and embodies the identity of our country and people -- to touch the hearts of those who visit this place from all over.”
Meanwhile, the city government faced backlash in June 2024 for its plan to create a National Monument Space. The project, which initially included erecting a 100-meter-tall flagpole for the South Korean flag, faced opposition from political circles and civil society, who labeled the plan an excessive display of patriotism and nationalism.
The plan was quickly scrapped and the Garden of Gratitude was selected as the final project during an awards ceremony on Monday after the city government launched a design competition to come up with a better commemorative space from August to November last year.