Korea honors UN veterans of Korean War
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun delivers a speech during the “Turn Toward Busan International Memorial Ceremony in Honor of the Fallen Korean War Heroes” at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea in Busan, Wednesday. Every Nov. 11, Korea honors the heroic efforts of the United Nations forces who participated in the 1950-53 Korean War, and the day was officially designated as a national day this year. Courtesy of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
By Jung Da-min
Korea honored the heroic efforts of the United Nations forces who participated in the 1950-53 Korean War, Nov. 11, holding a special ceremony in Busan.
Nov. 11 ― which has been observed as Remembrance Day worldwide to remember those killed in war ― has been officially designated as a National Day in Korea to honor U.N. veterans of the Korean War, starting this year, after the National Assembly passed a law providing institutional support for such activities in March. The law took effect Sept. 25.
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs hosted the ceremony, “Turn Toward Busan International Memorial Ceremony in Honor of the Fallen Korean War Heroes,” at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, inviting about 150 guests including Korean War veterans, representatives and military service members of the sending states and officials of diplomatic missions here.
Participants observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to the war dead, while also encouraging those in other countries to remember the fallen troops by facing in the direction of Busan and holding a minute of silence.
President Moon Jae-in, who failed to attend the ceremony in person, held a minute of silence at Cheong Wa Dae with first lady Kim Jung-sook.
With a siren going off across Busan, the Republic of Korea Air Force's aerobatic flight team, the Black Eagles, performed an aerial display to mark the ceremony.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun expressed gratitude toward the foreign veterans who fought for the freedom of the South Korean people in a speech during the ceremony.
“Freedom is a universal right of all people, regardless of nationality, race or gender,” Chung said. “The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea in Busan, where about 2,300 U.N. veterans from 11 countries have been buried, is the only memorial cemetery for the U.N. forces in the world … The Republic of Korea will prove how valuable your sacrifices are and will convey your spirit of freedom to the world, under the name of peace.”
The veterans affairs ministry said that the ceremony was especially meaningful in that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.
As the scale of this year's ceremony has been reduced due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry also aired the ceremony online for war veterans and their descendants in other countries.
Meanwhile, the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee also launched a public advertisement project in some sending states featuring a special video communicating Korea's appreciation for the U.N. veterans' sacrifice and contribution to the freedom of the country.
In particular, a 30-second video is being broadcast on three billboards in New York's Times Square and two billboards in Canary Wharf and Kensington High Street in London from Monday to Dec. 6. Eight billboards on buildings across downtown Bangkok will also feature the video from Thursday to Dec. 1.