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Honouring Heroes: New Foundation Launches Korean War UN Forces Memorial

A new foundation has been established to honour the UN forces who fought in the Korean War. It plans to create a memorial wall listing approximately 40,000 names of those who served. The project will also include sculptures representing troops from 16 countries and a commemorative park in central Seoul. This initiative comes alongside the establishment of an annual UN Veterans Memorial Day ceremony in Busan.

Key Points: Korean War UN Forces Memorial Foundation Launched in Seoul

  • Memorial wall to bear names of 40,000 UN Korean War veterans
  • Sculptures planned for troops from 16 participating countries
  • Commemorative park to be built in central Seoul for public access
  • Annual UN Veterans International Memorial Day ceremony established in Busan
2 min read

Memorial foundation launched to honour UN forces who fought in Korean War

New foundation to build memorial wall with 40,000 names and sculptures honouring UN forces who fought in Korean War, plus commemorative park in central Seoul.

"UN forces on Korean battlefields - Yonhap News Agency"

Seoul, Nov 12

A foundation was launched Wednesday to honour tens of thousands of United Nations forces who fought for South Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War, with an inauguration ceremony held in Seoul.

As its first commemorative project, the foundation plans to erect a memorial wall bearing the names of about 40,000 UN forces who served in the civil war, through fundraising from government, corporate and individual donors.

It will also seek to install sculptures depicting combat troops from 16 participating countries, as well as those from six US military units, under the title, "UN forces on Korean battlefields," Yonhap News Agency reported.

Envisioned projects also include the creation of a commemorative park in central Seoul to enhance public access.

The Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war. Nearly 180,000 South Korean and UN Command troops were killed during the war, including 36,940 Americans.

Sixteen countries provided combat troops to fight on the South's side, including Canada, France, New Zealand, Turkey, Thailand and Ethiopia.

On November 7, the veterans ministry said that South Korea will hold an annual ceremony next week to commemorate the UN forces who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The UN Veterans International Memorial Day will take place at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, some 330 kilometres southeast of Seoul, on Tuesday, according to the ministry.

The event will bring together 80 war veterans from 14 countries, including the United States, Britain, Colombia, Turkey and Belgium, and their bereaved family members.

The eldest veteran to participate is Luis A Garcia Velandia from Colombia, aged 100, who fought in the battle of Old Baldy, alongside the South Korean and US armies, to defeat Chinese troops in June 1952.

During their trip, slated for Saturday to Thursday, the war veterans will pay their respects at the war memorial in Seoul on Sunday as well.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I appreciate honoring war heroes, I wonder if similar memorials exist for Indian peacekeeping forces who served in UN missions? Our soldiers have also made huge sacrifices worldwide. Just a thought!
A
Aman W
Amazing to see countries like Thailand and Ethiopia participated too! The Korean War isn't discussed much in our history books. This memorial will help educate future generations about global cooperation.
S
Sarah B
The fact that the war technically never ended is concerning. Hope this memorial also reminds people that peace is fragile and needs constant nurturing. Salute to all the brave souls who served!
V
Vikram M
️100-year-old veteran still attending ceremonies - what dedication! This shows how deeply these experiences stay with people. The memorial park in central Seoul is a great idea for public awareness.
K
Karthik V
Good to see international cooperation being honored. In today's divided world, we need more reminders of how nations can work together for common good. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳

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