Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

International students in Korea from overseas combatant nations in the Korean War visited the site where soldiers laid down their lives for our freedom.

On October 13, the Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification held a experience event for International students in Korea from combatant and support nations in the Korean War at the Domachi hill in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. The ceremony was joined by about 30 foreign students attending the Korean War Veterans and Supporting Countries, and 14 supporters of the second-term university students who were in the Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification. They visited the Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification and listened to the exploration of the remains of the Korean War warriors, after which there was a field trip to Gwangju Domachi hill excavation site where the Han River defense delay operation took place in the early period of the Korean war and where the battle was fierce during Operation Thunderbolt, a turning point in which the UN forces struck back after the retreat of 1951. At that time, the 6th Division of the Korean Armed Forces in the region launched a delayed operation against the 2nd Division of the North Korean Army.

Since 2010, the Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification has been promoting the remains excavation site experience in order to cultivate a consciousness of patriotism and defense for the country among domestic and North Korean refugee university students. Since April of this year, more than 400 students from seven universities including Sookmyung Women's University and the Korean Traditional Culture University have visited the site of the remains.

By Seok-Jong, Lee < seokjong@dema.mil.kr >

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