Korean War vet throws first pitch

Korean War veteran Choi Young-sup throws the first pitch at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Yi Whan-woo

An 88-year-old Korean War veteran threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Lotte Giants’ game against the Samsung Lions at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, Tuesday.

The Giants invited Choi Young-sup, who fought as a Naval officer in the Battle of the Korea Strait on June 25 to 26, 1950, to their stadium as part of a joint campaign with the Navy to thank retired and active military service members.

The Choi family has served in the Navy for three generations. Choi was accompanied by his son and grandson, Choi Young-jin, 20, who showed up as a batter during his ceremonial pitch.

Choi Young-jin is serving his military duty as a seaman.

“I could not practice throwing much because of a possible shoulder injury and the ball felt as heavy as a lump of metal to me,” the senior Choi said. “The people in my generation are calling it a day after protecting this country and it is now the younger generations’ turn to take over our mission.”

Choi Young-jin said he is proud of defending the South Korean sea as a member of his three-generation military family.

“I will do my utmost to ensure no enemies will cross into our territory,” he said.

Choi Young-sup, a Busan native, was assigned to South Korea’s first warship Baekdusan (PC-701) after being commissioned as an ensign in February 1950, two months before the Korean War broke out.

He was a deck officer when the Baekdusan spotted a North Korean steamer infiltrating the South Korean waters off the coast of Busan.

Some 600 soldiers from the North Korean special forces were on board the enemy ship. After exchanging fire, the Baekdusan chased it down and sank it near Tsushima Island. The battle is seen as a critical moment in blocking North Korea’s invasion of the South.

Choi Young-sup also joined in other major battles throughout the Korean War, including the Incheon Landing Operations.

He was the commander of the Navy’s first destroyer Chungmu (DD-91) in March 1965 when its crew helped capture a North Korean spy ship disguised as a Japanese fishing boat in the East Sea.

He retired as a captain in 1968. He now works as an advisor for Seaexplorers of Korea Council, a youth group aimed at marine activities.

His first son, Choi Jae-sin, 63, was a Naval officer while his three younger sons served in the Army and Air Force.