Lee Jin-man captures the enduring physical and emotional scars of the Korean War through a series of commemorative photos.
The Korean War remains a defining historical event for the peninsula, characterized by a lasting state of technical warfare due to the 1953 armistice rather than a formal peace treaty. Lee Jin-man documented these enduring marks through a series of photographs taken in early July 2026. The images highlight heavily armed borders, war memorials, and damaged artifacts like a steam train and a bridge destroyed during the conflict. Beyond the physical fortifications, the gallery captures the human element of the war's legacy. It features veterans, such as 95-year-old Ethiopian veteran Tesfaye Asmamaw, and survivors who continue to carry memories of loss. The photos also show visitors and students, such as Min Woo-jin, observing monuments and placing flowers at memorials. These visual records serve as a reminder of the history passed down to the generations that follow, ensuring the conflict's impact remains visible in the lives of families and the landscape of South Korea.