Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Dutch documentary brings Korean War veterans' stories to Seoul
Three Dutch soldiers pose in a photograph taken during their time fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War in a scene from the documentary "Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War: Documenting the Living History." Courtesy of Project Soldier and Embassy of the Netherlands
By Anna J. Park
8 Dutch soldiers share memories of combat, lives after
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Seoul held a special documentary screening on June 23 to honor Dutch veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War and mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hoengseong — one of the fiercest engagements of the conflict, fought in February 1951 — highlighting their sacrifices and the enduring friendship between the two countries.
The event at Seoul Art Cinema featured a documentary produced in collaboration with the nonprofit initiative Project Soldier, which has spent years documenting the memories and legacies of Korean War veterans around the world.
Titled “Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War: Documenting the Living History,” the film sheds light on the contributions of Dutch veterans to the defense of freedom and peace on the Korean Peninsula. As part of the project, the Project Soldier team visited eight Dutch Korean War veterans at their homes across the Netherlands, collecting their personal stories.
The one-hour documentary follows the team's journey and captures intimate encounters with the veterans, offering a rare glimpse into their lives, memories and enduring connection to Korea. Filming took place in late 2025, but one of the eight veterans featured in the documentary passed away earlier this year before the film could be screened.
Onny Jalink, left, deputy head of mission at the Dutch Embassy in Seoul, delivers opening remarks ahead of a screening of the documentary “Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War: Documenting the Living History” at Seoul Art Cinema, June 23. Courtesy of Embassy of the Netherlands
Opening the event, Onny Jalink, deputy head of mission at the Dutch Embassy in Seoul, noted that the Korean War occupies a very different place in Dutch public memory than it does in Korea.
“Living in Korea, it may be hard to imagine but in the Netherlands, the Korean War is often referred to as 'The Forgotten War.' Seventy-six years ago, Dutch soldiers traveled far from home to serve under the United Nations Command in Korea. They answered the call to defend the values that continue to unite us today: freedom, peace and international solidarity. In total, 5,322 Dutch troops served in Korea, 120 paid the ultimate price and five are still MIA,” Jalink said.
“This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hoengseong, where the Van Heutsz regiment bravely held the line, allowing Korean and allied forces to regroup. As we gather today, we honor the Dutch veterans who served during the Korean War and remember their sacrifice, courage and dedication in the defense of freedom and peace.”
Herman van der Leelie, a veteran of the Royal Netherlands Army who served during the 1950-53 Korean War, speaks in a scene from the documentary "Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War: Documenting the Living History." Courtesy of Project Soldier and Embassy of the Netherlands
The Netherlands was the fourth country to decide to dispatch troops following the outbreak of the Korean War. Despite that contribution, the stories of Dutch veterans have remained relatively little known to the broader public. The embassy expressed hope that the documentary would preserve the veterans’ stories and ensure they are passed on to future generations.
Rather than focusing solely on wartime experiences, the documentary explores the veterans’ lives after the conflict, their families, their memories of Korea and the lasting impact the war had on them. It also follows the photographers and researchers who visited the veterans’ homes, creating an intimate portrait of individuals whose stories extend far beyond the battlefield.
“History is more than dates and battles; it is shaped by people — their experiences, memories and stories,” Jalink said. “Through personal interviews and photographs, we aim to preserve these stories for future generations and ensure that the Korean War is the forgotten war no more.”
She emphasized that the documentary is a tribute to the lives the veterans built after the war, the memories they continue to carry and “the enduring bond between the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea.”
A photo exhibition titled “Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War — Stories from the Frontline” is held at The Hague City Hall in the Netherlands from April 7 to May 4. Courtesy of Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Korea
The screening forms part of a broader commemorative effort. Earlier this year, a photo exhibition titled “Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War — Stories from the Frontline” ran at The Hague City Hall from April 7 to May 4, jointly organized by the Korean Embassy in the Netherlands and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The exhibition featured portraits of the same eight veterans alongside QR code-linked video interviews, helping visitors gain a deeper understanding of the Netherlands’ role in the Korean War and the personal stories behind that shared history.