Gov't to mark UN Forces Participation Day
Foreign veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War participate in a ceremony marking the U.N. Forces Participation Day held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, July 27, 2019. Courtesy of the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee
By Jung Da-min
Korea will honor the heroic efforts of the United Nations forces during the 1950-53 Korean War on July 27, according to the government. The occasion marks the U.N. Forces Participation Day and also the 67th anniversary of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement that ended the war.
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Wednesday that it is planning to hold various events to mark the day in cooperation with the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee under the Prime Minister's Secretariat.
U.N. Forces Participation Day was designated by the Korean government in 2013 to ensure that future generations inherit the legacy of sacrifice and contribution created by all service members from the 22 countries that defended South Korea.
Kim Ju-young, director general of the committee, said this year's ceremony will be more meaningful as it comes after the passage of a law to provide institutional support for activities honoring the U.N. veterans. In March, the National Assembly passed the U.N. Korean War Veterans' Dignity and Honor Act, which will take effect in September.
“The establishment of the law has a significant meaning in that it has laid legal foundations for international projects for patriots and veterans,” Kim said during a press briefing for foreign correspondents held at the Foreign Press Center Korea in Seoul, Wednesday.
“Although we could not invite more foreign veterans to attend the ceremony due to concerns over COVID-19, we will try to invite them later to attend other commemorative ceremonies if the situation allows.”
Under the slogan of “Days of Glory,” the ceremony to be held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul on Monday will focus on expressing appreciation for the sacrifice and contributions of 1.95 million veterans.
The events will include calling out the names of all U.N. service members who lost their lives on July 27, 1953, the day when the armistice was signed. A video about the Hungnam evacuation, in which over 86,000 refugees were transported from the North to the South by a fleet of ships, will also be screened.
About 200 people will participate in the ceremony including diplomatic corps from some of the 22 nations. Descendants of U.N. veterans who are studying in Korea on scholarships granted by the Korean government will also attend. The ceremony will take place under health and safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to the ministry.
Family members of the war veterans and foreign civil organizations dealing with veterans' affairs will also be awarded by the Korean government for their contributions, and ambassadors to Seoul will receive the awards on their behalf as they could not come to Korea due to the coronavirus pandemic.