I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Irish embassy unveils Korean War panel
By Kang Hyun-kyung
The Irish Embassy unveiled an Information Panel commemorating the Battle of Happy Valley during the Korean War at a ceremony in Yangju, Geyonggi Province, June 26.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funded the Information Panel project. The Irish Embassy hosted the erecting ceremony in collaboration with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Yangju City Council, the Irish Association of Korea and the British Embassy.
Col. W R H Charley, a war veteran of the Royal Ulster Rifles Regiment, attended the ceremony at the site of the battle where he fought in 1951. The regiment was a British unit but many Irish men, including Col. Charley, were part of it.
During his trip to Korea, he also visited the War Memorial in Seoul and laid a wreath at a memorial to the fallen Irish soldiers.
The Happy Valley Battle took place on the night of Jan. 3 and 4 during a withdrawal of civilians which helped many people flee Seoul before the Chinese and North Korean troops arrived in the city.
When the Korean War broke out in 1950, Ireland was not a member of the United Nations but many Irish volunteers fought under the flags of the U.N. forces.
“Happy Valley is the Korean War battlefield most emblematic of the sacrifices of those of Irish birth and heritage in the cause of South Korea’s freedom,” the Irish Embassy said in a press release.
“Previously there was a Memorial Pillar in Happy Valley which was carved by a Korean mason and erected on July 3, 1961 overlooking the battlefield. This memorial was moved in 1962 to Northern Ireland and now stands in the grounds of the City Hall in Belfast.”
The unveiling ceremony came as June 25 marked the 65th anniversary of the outbreak of the war. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs invites veterans to Korea every year for organized trips to the areas where they fought.