President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks at a commemoration ceremony held on July 27 at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu District for UN veterans who fought in the Korean War.
By Park Hye Ri
Photos = Office of the President
President Yoon Suk Yeol said on July 27, “The veterans of the United Nations Armed Forces are our true heroes who gave their all to defend the freedom of a country they didn’t even know at the peak of their lives,” at a commemoration ceremony for UN veterans who fought in the Korean War.
According to a news release by presidential spokesperson Lee Do Woon, President Yoon attended the commemoration ceremony held at an outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center in the port city’s Haeundae-gu District. The event was organized to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement and UN Forces Participation Day.
During the ceremony, President Yoon personally welcomed 62 UN military veterans on stage as they entered the theater escorted by a presidential guard of honor, according to Lee.
President Yoon thanked the veterans, saying, “I pay my deepest respects to the veterans who sacrificed their lives for Korea’s freedom.”
“Seventy-three years ago, a slew of young people from all over the free world rushed to defend the Republic of Korea’s freedom, a country they didn’t even know, under one United Nations flag,” he said. “The Republic of Korea will never forget our gratitude to you and our allies for risking your lives in a time of difficulty.”
“Seventy years after the armistice was signed on this day in 1953, the UN Command continues to play a key role in safeguarding peace on the Korean Peninsula and protecting the Republic of Korea,” said President Yoon. “Today’s Republic of Korea stands on the sacrifice, dedication, and blood-stained military uniforms, of U.N. troops.
“The government and people of the Republic of Korea will do our utmost to ensure that the values of freedom that have been upheld over the past 70 years are passed on to future generations, and we will forever remember these heroes.”
President Yoon (third from left) awards U.S. Army veteran Donald Reid with a government award.
During the ceremony, President Yoon presented the daughter of the late Australian Army veteran Private Thomas Conlon Parkinson, and U.S. Army veteran Donald Reid, respectively with Order of Civil Merit, Seogryu (Pomegranate) Medal and a government award.
Various commemorative performances followed, including the singing of “Arirang” by British veteran Colin Thackery and American veteran Patrick Finn.
New Zealand’s Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro delivered greetings on behalf of the participating countries.
“This occasion allows us to remember and pay tribute to the heroism and sacrifices of the Korean and allied troops from 22 nations,” she said. “The greatest reward for their efforts of the South Korean and allied forces was the establishment of the Republic of Korea as a beacon of freedom, democracy and prosperity.”
President Yoon (left) shakes hands with a UN veteran who fought in the Korea War.
