Veterans Stranded in Korea Due to Iceland Volcano

By J.R. Breen

Contributing Writer

Veterans from British regiments marking the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War are stranded in Korea due to an erupting volcano in Iceland.

Fortunately for the band of more than 60 Brits, the South Korean government has moved to cover the entire costs of hotel bills for the duration of their extended stay, the length of which remains unknown.

Ex-servicemen from regiments such as the King's Own Scottish Borders, Royal Ulster Rifles and Gloucestershire Regiment remained stranded in South Korea last night after a 10-day visit.

They have been affected by the eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano, which has brought air travel in and out of Europe to a virtual standstill, with their flights scheduled for Monday cancelled amid the continuing problems with volcanic ash in the atmosphere.

Remnants of the volcanic ash reportedly entered the Korean atmosphere on Tuesday, with one local airline official saying it could be the end of the month before flights to Europe resume.

More than 200 British and Commonwealth veterans visited the country last week, some for the first time since the 1950-53 conflict, which brought 17 nations under the U.N. flag to fight against the communist North Korea and the Chinese army.