By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak will send a letter of appreciation to 100,000 foreign Korea War veterans next year on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the fratricidal war.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Monday that the letter would also be sent to 240,000 veterans here.

The plan is part of events to commemorate the war and give thanks to those who participated and sacrificed during the conflict, the ministry said in its 2010 policy report to President Lee Myung-bak.

Lee's letter will be sent to Korean War veterans' associations of the 21 participating nations, the report said.

In addition, a "Thank You" poster will be drawn up and used in publicizing South Korea's appreciation of war veterans overseas, it said.

"Peace, prosperity and liberties that we cherish today are built on your selfless sacrifices and contributions," a draft poster for overseas promotion says. "Korea is forever indebted and we will continue to build the trust and friendship between our nations."

Earlier this year, the ministry outlined a host of events and ceremonies to mark next year's war anniversary.

Key programs include the invitation of 2,400 Korean War veterans and their families.

The government will also invite 300 descendents of war veterans and hold a "peace camp" for them. The camp will help the participants establish "cooperative networks," according to the ministry.

The government is also preparing to hold war anniversary events in 20 nations.

To give a helping hand to participating nations, the government will expand its volunteer medical service, scholarships and construction programs in those nations in need, such as the Philippines and India.

To help young Koreans better understand the war, the government plans to provide educational materials to schools and hold Korean War seminars in which scholars and opinion leaders from the 21 participating nations will attend.

The Korean War, which ended in a truce, is one of only two wars in which the United Nations has ever decided to participate. Twenty-one countries under the U.N. flag dispatched troops to help South Korea fight communist North Korea backed by China. The foreign nations also provided aid for postwar reconstruction.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr