The 4.19 Cemetery

Memorial cemetery for the 1960 April Revolution martyrs

Address 17 4.19-ro 8-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul

A national cemetery at the foot of Bukhansan mountain, dedicated to those who died during the April 19 Revolution of 1960. The site holds the graves of 289 people killed during the pro-democracy uprising that toppled the Syngman Rhee government. A memorial tower, a museum documenting the revolution, and a sculpture garden sit within the grounds.

The cemetery is quieter than most Seoul attractions and worth the trip for anyone interested in Korea's modern history. The museum includes photographs, personal belongings, and newspaper clippings from the period. The hilltop setting offers views over the northern part of the city.

Take metro line 4 to Suyu station and walk about 10 minutes uphill. Free admission.

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A story
On April 19, 1960, thousands of students marched against the autocratic regime of President Syngman Rhee, protesting a blatantly rigged election. Police opened fire, killing over 180 people, many of them students. The uprising succeeded — Rhee resigned within a week — and became a defining moment in South Korea's long struggle toward democracy.

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