Just an hour north of Seoul, nestled inside the former U.S. Army base of Camp Greaves, lies one of Korea’s most quietly powerful cultural spaces — Gallery Greaves. Once a bowling alley where American soldiers passed the time, this repurposed venue now tells a very different story: one of war, memory, youth, and peace.
The existing Greaves Gallery, was remodeled to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of active hostilities in the Korean War. It showcases the signing of the armistice and the stories of Korean student soldiers.
Getting There: Start at Paju’s Imjingak Park
Your journey begins at Imjingak Park in Paju, a deeply symbolic location near the DMZ that’s accessible by car or public transit from Seoul. Once there, look for the Imjingak Peace Gondola — a scenic ride that takes you across the Imjin River and straight toward Camp Greaves, where Gallery Greaves is located.
Buy your ticket at the Gondola Station inside the park. You’ll see signs in English and Korean, and staff can assist you. The gondola ride is short but breathtaking, offering a peaceful aerial view over what was once a tense military zone.
You can reserve tickets for the gondola ride and special exhibition in advance through www.yanolja.com. On-site ticket purchases are also available right after you step off the gondola. Entry is offered five times daily — at 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, 15:00, and 16:00 — with each session lasting around 80 minutes. Admission costs 3,000 KRW, and please note that the program is closed on Mondays.
A Gallery Inside a Military Base
The figures to show the original bowling alley.
The moment you walk in, you’re struck by the contrast. The worn bricks of Camp Greaves carry the texture of history — but inside Gallery Greaves, it’s the soft light and moving displays that capture your attention.
You’re not just visiting a gallery — you’re stepping into a living timeline. And it begins with the youth who never grew old.
Portrait of Youth: The Student Soldiers
One of the most heart-wrenching exhibitions is titled "Portrait of the Days of Youth." It’s dedicated to the student soldiers — teenage boys who left classrooms behind and took up rifles during the Korean War.
You’ll learn about the Jangsari Landing Operation, the lesser-known yet pivotal battle that helped make the Incheon Landing possible. And the Battle of Pohang Girls’ Middle School, immortalized in the film Into the Fire, where under-equipped student volunteers stood their ground.
This room doesn’t glorify war. It gently reminds you that freedom often has a youthful face — brave, uncertain, and unforgettable.
Three Lines: The Ceasefire That Drew Borders
Another exhibit, "Three Lines," visualizes what happened on July 27, 1953, when the guns finally fell silent. You’ll see a large map displaying the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), the Southern Limit Line, and the Northern Limit Line — the invisible seams that still define Korea’s landscape.
There’s also a copy of the Armistice Agreement, on loan thanks to a 2023 agreement with the Swiss delegation of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. It’s a reminder that peace, even in pause, is political, precarious, and painstaking.
Marguerite Higgins
Marguerite Higgins was a trailblazing American war correspondent who made history during the Korean War as one of the first female journalists to cover the conflict from the front lines. Working for the New York Herald Tribune, she reported directly from the battlefield, bringing vivid, human-centered stories of soldiers and civilians alike to the global stage.
Her fearless reporting earned her the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 1951, making her the first woman to receive the honor. Beyond breaking gender barriers in journalism, Higgins played a vital role in shaping international understanding of the Korean War, highlighting both its brutal realities and the resilience of the Korean people.
Soldier Uniforms
From Base to Peace Venue: A Timeline of Transformation
The very site of Gallery Greaves has its own story. Here's how this military post became a peace landmark:
What was once a buffer now breathes with meaning — a living symbol of remembrance and regeneration.
Gallery Greaves Through out the Years
In 2020, Gallery Greaves underwent a major redesign, transforming the former military facility into a more immersive, accessible, and storytelling-focused space. The renovation introduced updated exhibition halls, multimedia installations, and curated displays that highlight personal narratives from the Korean War — particularly those of student soldiers. This redesign marked a shift from static displays to a more emotionally engaging experience, reinforcing the gallery’s mission to educate, remember, and inspire through the lens of peace and history.
Before
After
Gallery Greaves is not just about looking back — it’s about understanding how we carry history forward. Through student stories, ceasefire documents, and creative reuse of military space, it asks visitors to reflect: What do we do with places that once knew war? We fill them with memory, meaning, and peace.
If you're curious about the Korean War, the DMZ, or simply want to experience a place where art meets activism, Gallery Greaves is worth the trip.
Can’t Visit in Person? Take the Virtual Tour
If you’re not in Korea — or just want a preview before you go — you can visit Gallery Greaves from anywhere in the world through their official virtual tour.
👉 Start your virtual visit here
Whether you're planning your itinerary or diving into Korea's history from home, the Gallery Greaves virtual tour is a meaningful, immersive window into the stories that shaped the Korean Peninsula.
Final Thoughts
Gallery Greaves is not just about looking back — it’s about understanding how we carry history forward. Through student stories, ceasefire documents, and creative reuse of military space, it asks visitors to reflect: What do we do with places that once knew war? We fill them with memory, meaning, and peace.
Over 490,000 individuals visited the gallery via the Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola in 2023.
Cho Chang-bum, head of the Peace and Cooperation Bureau of Gyeonggi, said they are “repairing decrepit facilities and developing programs to shed more light on Camp Greaves,” which he called a “special area” that the provincial government hopes will help visitors “remember the past and understand the present.”
If you're curious about the Korean War, the DMZ, or simply want to experience a place where art meets activism, Gallery Greaves is worth the trip.
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