For the first time since he's become prime minister, Stephen Harper will not be in Canada for Remembrance Day. He and other G20 leaders are in Seoul, Korea to talk about the world's economy. But, before the G20 summit begins, (at about 9 am Toronto time) Harper, along with UK PM David Cameron and Australian PM Julia Gillard will participate in a Remembrance Day ceremony at the War Memorial of Korea.
Korea's national war memorial is different than Canada's national war memorial in Ottawa in that it serves as a museum and a memorial and, in that sense, has both a commemorative objective as well as an educational one.
The PMO just provided reporters travelling with Harper (I'm one of them) with some background on the Korean memorial:
The War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, serves as Korea’s war history museum, highlighting 5,000 years of military history and honouring the soldiers who served and sacrificed their lives during various conflicts which occurred in Korea, including the 1950-1953 Korean War.
Composed of both indoor and outdoor exhibition space, the Memorial follows Korea’s war history from prehistoric times to the modern period, and houses a stunning display of sculptures, artifacts and information. Six indoor exhibition rooms display over 9,000 exhibits under the following themes: Memorial Hall, War History, Korean War, Expeditionary Forces Room, Republic of Korea Armed Forces Room, and Large Equipment Room.
The Memorial’s impressive outdoor exhibit displays large military equipment used during the Korean War and monuments which depict the human impact of the most tragic war in South Korea’s history. A memorial pays tribute to fallen soldiers, accompanied by plaques which express gratitude towards the soldiers from participating UN countries, including Canada, who served during the Korean War.
For an interactive experience, the museum includes the Combat Experience Room where visitors can simulate life and death situations in night combat similar to those experienced by soldiers during the Korean War. Realistic effects such as audiovisual effects, lighting, vibration, and gunpowder make for a high-paced, vivid and more comprehensive experience. The War Memorial of Korea has been welcoming local and international visitors since it opened in 1994.