Along the Nakdong River: Korean War Memorials in Chilgok-Gun County

Loyalty Tower, Waegwan, Chilgok

Korean War Memorials in Chilgok-Gun: Sites of History and Honor

Approximately 135 miles Southeast of Seoul, sits a small county with a big history. Chilgok-Gun County, located in North Gyeongsang Province, played a key role in the success of South Korean and United Nations Forces against the North Korean Army during the Korean War. Running through Chilgok-gun is the Nakdong River. This river is 316 miles long, making it the longest river in Korea. Countless lives were lost during the many battles that took place  along the Nakdong River in defense of the Pusan Perimeter. Chilgok-gun is home not only to Camp Carroll, but to many Korean War Memorials that remind us of the many sacrifices that were made in the name of freedom. The Chilgok Peace and Patriot Memorial Museum is the most well known museum in this area for good reason. However, there are a few less known places that are worth a visit.

Chilgok-Gun’s Role in the Defense of the Pusan Perimeter

On June 25, 1950, the North Korean Army had crossed  the 38th Parallel, and by June 28th, they had captured Seoul. The South Korean Government then relocated their headquarters to Daegu, and the enemy forces were advancing south. General Walton H. Walker was the commander of the U.S. and R.O.K. units in Korea during the Korean War. This is where the name Camp Walker is derived from. It was his mission to protect the southeast corner of Korea, most importantly the port city of Busan. In order to do this, he stabilized the front lines and built what would be known as the Pusan Perimeter.  The Nakdong River created a natural obstacle and the Allied Forces were able to use this to their advantage. The Battle of the Nakdong River was a devastating and bloody fight, however, it was because of this battle that the South Korean and UN forces were able to defend the Pusan Perimeter and stop the North Korean Army from occupying the entire peninsula.

Nakdong River Battles: A Turning Point in the Korean War

The significance of this battle is literally etched in stone in the many memorial parks in towns around Chilgok-gun County. Waegwan is one of these towns, and as you exit the Waegwan IC, you will be welcomed by, what my family respectively and affectionately call, the “Peace Llama. Due to its llama-like shape that stands above the trees, this name was invented by us long before we actually learned what this tower represents.

Inside the Chilgok Peace and Patriot Memorial Museum

The real name of this meaningful tower is the 충혼탑 칠곡군 which is pronounced ChonghonTap Chilgok and, the literal translation is “Loyalty Tower Chilgok”. This memorial was erected in 1973 and looks towards the Nakdong River. It sits to remind us of the sacrifices of the 540 soldiers and police officers from Chilgok-Gun who were lost during the Korean War. 

Loyalty Tower in Waegwan: A Tribute to Fallen Chilgok Soldiers

Hill 303 Memorial in Waegwan Chilgok-Gun County, outside of Camp Carroll.

If you have ever lived at or visited Camp Carroll, then you have most likely heard of “Hill 303”. To most, this is just a popular hiking spot. But the history behind this hill is so much more.

Remembering the Hill 303 Massacre Near Camp Carroll

It was atop this hill on August 15, 1950, that a small U.S. Army platoon, who was waiting for reinforcement from South Korean troops, fell prisoner to the North Korean forces after mistaking them for allies. The North Korean soldiers assured the U.S. soldiers that they would be sent to the prisoner camp in Seoul. However,  that turned out not to be true at all. At the bottom of Hill 303 is a memorial that lists the 41 American heroes who were lost during this unfortunate event as well as the five soldiers who miraculously survived. At the top of Hill 303 sits the Chilgok Peace Observatory which illuminates at sundown in the shape of a flame so that people, even from miles away, will always be reminded of  the sacrifices made during the Korean War.

Dabu-Dong Memorial. This statue was built to in 1951 to honor General Paik Sun-yup, who was the Commanding General of the 1st Division during the Korean War.

Dabu-dong Memorial Park: Honoring Police and Allied Forces

Dabu-dong is another small town that sits near the Nakdong River, about ten miles north of Waegwan. This location also played a crucial role in the protection of the Pusan Perimeter. The most notable difference at the Dabu-Dong Memorial is the monument built to remember the over 200 police officers who were killed while defending Dabu-dong along with R.O.K. and U.N. soldiers, and ultimately saved South Korea from a full North Korean occupation.

Dabu-Dong Memorial was built to remember the heroes that fought during the Battle of the Nakdong River.

Why Korean Memorial Day Matters: Remembering the Sacrifice

In honor of Korean Memorial Day on June 6, please take a moment to remember those who fought with full devotion and selflessness. Remember those who were lost to ensure that freedom in South Korea would prevail. 

Sources 

Appleman, R. E. (1961). South to the Nakdong North to the Yalu. Center of Military History, United States Army; First Edition. 

Chilgok Patriots & Peace Memorial, (2024, April), Battles for 55 Days, https://www.chilgok.go.kr/chppmeng/contents.do?mId=0402000000

Chong-dae, Choe, 2020, Honoring unsung heroes of Korean War, https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2024/05/137_357926.html

Halberstam, D. (2007). The Coldest Winter. Hyperion.

Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, (2024, April), (Daegu) Introduction to memorial facilities - Chunghontap (Chilgok), https://www.mpva.go.kr/mpva/selectBbsNttView.do?key=1188&bbsNo=224&nttNo=68693

United States Army, (2024, April), The Korean War - Phase 1 27 June-15 September 1950, https://history.army.mil/reference/korea/KW-P1.pdf