Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

At an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War,
an incense burning ceremony was held to welcome 147 sets of remains of Korean troops;
Orders of Military Merit were awarded to 14 heroes killed in the Battle of Maebong Ridge during the war;
22 heads of the UN member states that took part in the war sent congratulatory messages for the first time
The event was followed by an appreciation party and concert for war veterans

An event to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War was held at Seoul Air Base on the evening of Thursday June 25, in order to make progress in building peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula as well as to remind the people of the sacrifices and devotion of the veterans who took part in the Korean War.

The event was held under the theme ‘To the Heroes’ to pay respects to those who had dedicated themselves to protecting their country during the war.

The event was attended by some 300 people, including government officials, veterans of the Korean War, and bereaved families. All participants paid their respects to patriotic heroes by wearing the ‘122609 Taegukki’ badge, which embodies the nation’s commitment to searching for the 122,609 war dead who have yet to return home.

Presided over by actor Choi Soo-jong and Lieutenant Jeong Dong-mi, members of the Defense Media Agency, the event began with a welcome for the 147 sets of remains of Korean troops who were being returned to the bosom of their country after 70 years. The remains had been flown from Hawaii the day before by the Air Force’s newest tanker plane (KC-330 Cygnus).

Significantly, it was quite moving to see the remains of seven Korean soldiers, identified as sergeant first class Oh Dae-young, private first class Ha Jin-ho, Kim Jeong-yong, Kim Dong-seong, Choi Jae-ik, Park Jin-sil, and Jung Jae-sul, and the remains of six American soldiers that are to be repatriated to the US, entering the ceremony to the song ‘Old Soldier’s Song,’ sung by Singer Yun Do-hyun. After offering flowers and incense to them, government officials awarded a badge for participation in war to each of them, which was followed by the screening of a video that showed interviews with the bereaved families of the identified war dead as well as the journey of repatriation of remains. Having been read out by Actor Yoo Seung-ho, the story of veteran Jang Jin-ho recalled the memories of the day when a fierce battle had taken place.

Marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, the 22 heads of UN member states that took part in the war while maintaining a solid alliance, including US President Donald Trump, sent video messages of friendship and peace for the first time. The messages were screened at the event.

In addition, Orders of Military Merit were awarded to veterans whose achievements were verified after 70 years. At the event on Thursday, Orders of Military Merit Hwarang were awarded to Staff Sergeant Gong Ho-young, who had contributed to taking over the position in the Battle of Maebong Ridge by destroying the enemy’s stronghold; Yoo Jae-seon, wife of the late Sergeant Kim Myung-soon who had actively engaged in the Battle of Yimjin River; and Oh Deok-rok, son of the late Sergeant Oh Bong-taek who had engaged in guerrilla warfare, such as search and vigilance, in the Bogwang-ri area. The government awarded Orders of Military Merit to a total of 14 people (two veterans who survived the war and 12 bereaved family members). Some 84,000 veterans who survived the war were given silver coin medals of appreciation.

Having arranged time to express thanks to UN Korean War veterans, the government awarded the ‘Plaque of Peace’ to the Netherlands Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (ROK), as a representative of the UN member states that took part in the war. The plaques were made of melted parts of military equipment, such as bullet shells and water bottles, which had been handed over by each of the UN Korean War states, and barbed-wire fences that had been found in the Arrowhead Ridge area within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Ending the event, 147 sets of remains of the ROK troops and 6 sets of remains of the US troops were transported to a send-off car amid the strains of songs — tribute military song and ‘Korean War Song’ sung together by representatives of the forces and veterans.

Additional events for war veterans were held the next day. The government reported that it would be holding an ‘appreciation party and concert for war veterans’ at the War Memorial Hall on June 26 to express appreciation to the war veterans. Attended by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, co-chair of the 70th Anniversary of Korea War Commemoration Programs, the event was held under the slogan ‘Memory for Peace, and One Step Forward.’ The participants held an appreciation party after paying respects at the commemorative monument for UN Forces and ROK troop war dead. At the appreciation party, badges and medals were awarded to the war veterans and video messages from UN veterans were screened. The appreciation party was followed by a concert to appreciate the war veterans and remember their sacrifices.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung created a video message for UN Forces veterans, in which he expressed his sorrow at the fact that they could not visit Korea due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). “The ROK will in no way forget the sacrifices and devotion shown 70 years ago by the UN Korean War veterans, which enabled the ROK to achieve economic growth and democratization after coming out of the ruins of war. When the COVID-19 situation stabilizes, I hope to see you in person. I wish you the best of health until then,” Chung said in the video.

By Su-Yeol, Maeng <guns13@dema.mil.kr >
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