Five foreign veterans of the United Nations Command who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War were greeted with a standing ovation from a crowd of over 1,000 at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, where a ceremony was held to mark UN Forces Participation Day, observed annually on July 27.
The national day of remembrance to honor the sacrifices and contributions of UN veterans also marks the date when the armistice agreement was signed to halt the Korean War in 1953.
Throughout the three-year conflict, more than 1.9 million personnel from 22 countries served under the UNC flag, providing combat, medical and logistical support.
During the ceremony, the South Korean government posthumously presented the Order of Taegeuk Military Merit, the country’s highest military honor, to the late US veteran Fred McGee.
From January to November 1952, McGee served in the US Army as a private first class with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok entered the venue pushing the wheelchair of a veteran who had difficulty walking.
“Our alliance has grown stronger, and together we will continue moving toward a future of peace and prosperity,” Kim said during his speech.
“Despite the sacrifices made by the UN forces and our own efforts 75 years ago, the pain of division still lingers,” he added, pledging to expand scholarship programs and exchange camps for the descendants of Korean War veterans.
cjh@heraldcorp.com
