The rear area of Seoul National Cemetery is surrounded on three sides by the foothills of Gwanaksan Mountain around Dongjakbong Peak. Towards the front, the cemetery overlooks the meandering Hangang River.

Seoul National Cemetery is situated on a plot of land measuring approximately 1,430,000 ㎡. Entombed here are the remains of 165,000 martyrs and soldiers, police officers, and reserve forces who sacrificed themselves for their country. Enshrined within the Memorial Tower are memorial tablets of approximately 104,000 soldiers who died during the Korean War, but whose bodies were never found along with the remains of approximately 7,000 unknown soldiers whose bodies were found. The remains of more than 54,000 martyred patriots have been buried in the Burial Plots, which are divided into various sections: graves of soldiers, police officers, meritorious citizens, and key figures of the provisional government. Every year on June 6th (Memorial Day), memorial services and events are held at the Seoul National Cemetery to honor the brave patriots who fought for the country.

Facilities consist of the Memorial Gate, Memorial Tower, Chungseong Fountain Tower, Holy Ground, Photographic Exhibition House, Educational Movie Theater, and Relics Exhibition House. In 1955, the cemetery was established as the National Military Cemetery and then was elevated to the status of National Cemetery ten years later in 1965. In 1996, the managing institution also underwent a name change from "National Cemetery Management Office" to "National Memorial Board."