Korean War heroes honored worldwide

By Jung Sung-ki

Staff reporter

South Koreans paid solemn tribute Friday to those who fought and died in the Korean War, marking the 60th anniversary of the start of the fratricidal conflict in the early 1950s.

Scores of commemorative events were held nationwide and in countries which sent their troops to the Korean Peninsula 60 years ago to fight alongside South Koreans to preserve freedom and democracy in the Far East.

In Seoul, a massive ceremony was held with the attendance of President Lee Myung-bak, Cabinet members, political leaders, Korean and foreign war veterans, diplomats and others. About 5,000 people attended the event at the Olympic Stadium in Jamsil.

This year's commemoration resonates with the renewed sense of tension between the two Koreas in the wake of the sinking of a South Korean warship in March as a result of an alleged North Korean torpedo attack. Forty-six of the 104 sailors aboard the frigate Cheonan were killed.

South Korea has taken the issue to the United Nations as it sees the attack as a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement signed at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

In a speech, President Lee urged North Korea to stop military provocation and seek ways of co-prosperity with the South.

"North Korea should admit its wrongdoings and apologize to the international community," Lee said. "Our ultimate goal is not a military confrontation but peaceful reunification. I hope the North will make efforts for co-prosperity."

Lee expressed deep gratitude to the sacrifices made by U.N. troops from 21 nations that fought alongside South Korea against North Korea, which was backed by communist Chinese troops.

"South Korean and U.N. soldiers, you were not only courageous and genuine soldiers but also a cornerstone of South Korea's history," the President said. "We will remember your sacrifice and dedication forever."

Defense Minister Kim Tae-young echoed Lee's warning against Pyongyang.

"The Cheonan incident reminded us of the sad reality of the divided South and North," Kim said. "Freedom is not free, and we will continue to work together with our allies to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula."

U.S. Forces Korea Gen. Walter Sharp vowed to deter and defeat any provocation by the North.

"Truce peace cannot exist when North Korea resorts to force and violence," said Sharp, who concurrently serves as commanding general of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the United Nations Command.

Col. Harry Cockburn, a New Zealand defense ministry official, said, "I hope the Republic of Korea continues to prosper, inspired by the sacrifices of Korean and United Nations soldiers 60 years ago."

Ceremonies were held in the United States to honor the fallen heroes.

Speaking at a ceremony at the Center Courtyard in the Pentagon, South Korean Ambassador Han Duck-soo called the Korea-U.S. alliance as "the strongest, most successful partnership" in the world's history.

"We are working alongside the United States in such places as Iraq, Afghanistan and waters off Somalia to further peace and freedom as the United States' partner and friend. South Korea is and will be by your side," Han said.

"We honor you and the 36,000 of your brothers in arms who gave their lives so that Korea could be free," he said. "For that, the Korean people are eternally grateful to all of you and all of them."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca) told a ceremony at Capitol Hill that the Korean War should not be "The Forgotten War."

"Today, and every day, we must remember the heroes who returned safely home and those who gave their last full measure of devotion," she said. "Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met. All our nation's veterans deserve our respect and our admiration as we honor our Korean veterans."

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) also said, "Those 36,000 people could never be forgotten by their families, by their friends or by us."

Rangel, a Korean War veteran, submitted a draft resolution to Congress commemorating the 60th anniversary of the war and reaffirming the alliance with South Korea. The House of Representatives and Senate unanimously approved the joint resolution presented last week.

Other high-profile Korean War anniversary ceremonies took place in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Norway, New Zealand and Thailand among others.