Incheon to mark 75th anniversary of pivotal Korean War battle with weeklong events
Events honor veterans while sharing message of peace
Honor guards carry the flags of nations that fought in the 1950-53 Korean War during the 74th Incheon Landing Operation Victory Commemoration Ceremony at Pier 8 in Incheon, Sept. 11, 2024. Courtesy of Incheon Metropolitan City
Incheon is preparing an event to mark one of the most pivotal victories of the 1950-53 Korean War, honoring the courage of veterans and emphasizing the lessons of peace for future generations.
The port city west of Seoul said it will co-host a weeklong series of events from Sept. 12 to 18 with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the Navy and the Marine Corps to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Landing Operation.
Launched on Sept. 15, 1950, the Incheon Landing marked a turning point in the Korean War. Led by U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the bold amphibious assault took North Korean forces by surprise.
At the time, United Nations forces — including troops from South Korea, the United States and other allied nations — had been driven to a last-ditch defensive line around the southeastern port city of Busan. The landing allowed them to recapture Seoul and mount a sweeping counteroffensive that shifted the momentum of the war.
United Nations forces hold a ceremony in October 1950 to return Incheon to its citizens and mayor, following the city’s recapture after the Incheon Landing Operation. Courtesy of Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education Hwadojin Library
This year’s event features a range of programs to honor veterans’ sacrifices, promote peace through cultural activities and educate younger generations on the importance of freedom and security.
As part of events honoring Korean War veterans, wreath-laying ceremonies will be held on Sept. 15 at Incheon’s Jayu Park and Wolmi Park, including a tribute to fallen Navy intelligence officers.
On the same day, around 1,500 people are expected to gather near Pier 8 at Incheon Inner Harbor for a ceremony featuring a reenactment of the landing with ships, amphibious boats, helicopters and assault vehicles.
Incheon will also unveil a 4.7-meter monument at Green Beach in Wolmi Park, the site of the initial landing, to honor the sacrifices of veterans from eight countries: South Korea, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France and the Netherlands.
Navy vessels participate in an event near Palmido Island marking the 73rd anniversary of the Incheon Landing Operation, Sept. 15, 2023. Courtesy of Incheon Metropolitan City
Cultural programs will also highlight messages of peace through music and performance. Les Petits Chanteurs a la Croix de Bois, a boys’ choir known in English as the Little Singers of Paris, will perform at Arts Center Incheon on Sept. 13. The same venue will host the Incheon International Choral Festival from Sept. 16 to 19, featuring 35 choirs from Korea and abroad performing under the theme of global peace.
The Republic of Korea Navy Band and 8th U.S. Army Band will hold a joint concert on Sept. 15 at Sangsang Platform, the city’s cultural and tourism complex, offering a performance for veterans, their families and the public.
To promote historical education for future generations and strengthen global solidarity, the city will co-host the Incheon International Peace Security Forum with France’s Normandy region from Sept. 15 to 16 at Songdo ConvensiA, bringing together international stakeholders to discuss peace and security.
As part of efforts to engage the public and promote national defense awareness, the Navy will open warships to the public and run a defense exhibition at Pier 8 and 1883 Open Port Square starting Sept. 13, offering lessons in national security for youth.
Around 150 students from countries that sent troops to the Korean War as part of the United Nations command will join a peace camp program on Sept. 14 to promote cross-cultural exchange and global cooperation.
A commemorative street parade will also take place that day, marching from Dongincheon to Jung District Office and featuring the Ministry of Defense’s flag corps, along with honor guards and bands from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army and U.S. 8th Army.
Meanwhile, the Incheon Metropolitan City Museum will host an exhibition from Sept. 12 to Oct. 19 dedicated to war correspondent Marguerite Higgins, who covered the Korean War and became the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting.
Notably, this year’s events will include a visit by a delegation from the MacArthur Foundation, which will deliver a personal letter from Arthur MacArthur IV, a direct descendant of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
“This year’s events are an occasion to express our deepest gratitude to Korean War veterans and to share the value of peace with the international community and future generations,” Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said.
“Through events that promote unity and solidarity, Incheon will continue to grow as a global city of peace — a place that upholds the ideals of freedom.”