69th Korean War Anniversary Special: Korea expects India to build Korean War Memorial before 70th anniversary of Korean War in 2020

New Delhi. Lingering on since last year, the Korean War Memorial which is slated to be built by the government of India in New Delhi is likely to come up before the 70th anniversary of the Korean War.

The officials of the Embassy of Korea in India and the Korean War Veterans Association, expect that the Korean War Memorial which has been planned by the government of India at a site on Kautilya Marg in New Delhi, it would be ready before June 25, 2020, the 70th anniversary of Korean war that was fought between South and North Korea in the peninsula during 1950-53.

“To commemorate the devotion and sacrifice of the Korean war veterans, the Korean government has been working with the Indian government to build Korean War Memorial since the last year. Many veterans have passed away while those surviving are older than 90 years. We will work together with the Indian government to build the memorial while these veterans are alive in particular in 2020, the 70th anniversary year of the Korean War,” said Col. Lee In, the Defense Attache, Embassy of Republic of Korea in New Delhi in his address on June 23 during the luncheon hosted by the Embassy for the family members of the Indian Army veterans who had participated in the Korean War.

Titled as Kar Salam, the luncheon was organized to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Korean War that had erupted on June 25 in 1950.

To be built as a mark of remembrance of the sacrifices and courage of the Indian soldiers who participated in the Korean War was to be built initially by the Korean Government as was announced by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in India Shin Bong-kil last year, but later Indian government opted to build it on its own.

Col. Lee In said, “This monument not will be a symbol of cooperation in the past between Korea and India but also will help in future the younger generation of India and Korea understand each other. Just like India had done 69 years ago, Korea would like to go together with India for the peace and prosperity of this country.”

Col. Lee appreciated the government of India for sending 60th Para Field Ambulance Hospital paratroopers which, he said, will forever remain in the heart of the Korean people like Maroon Angels, providing medical service during the Korean War.

“The custodian forces did a tremendous job in repatriating the prisoners of war (POWs). These two units contributed to the freedom and peace of Korean by fighting against communist invaders in the severe cold even if it was minus 20 degrees Celcius, and they did it at the time when the world did not know where this country (Korea) was at that time. The people of Korean will never forget the sacrifices and dedication you have shown in the Republic of Korea. It will be remembered forever,” col. Lee said.

A video presentation on the Korean War prepared by the Ministry Patriots and Veterans Affairs of Korea was also shown to the dissidents of Korea war veterans. It was during this time, Jung Bokyung, the wife of Yoo Chang-ho, the Minister Counselor for Political Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Korea broke into tears while looking at the sacrifices of the Korean War soldiers.

Yoo Chang-ho also had also come with his two sons Yoo Sungjay (12) and Yoo Sungchan (11) – all wore Indian ethnic jackets.

“I wanted my children also to experience the warmth between Korea and India and also know about the deep-rooted history between the two friendly nations,” Chang-ho added.

Chang-ho said that the 70th anniversary should be the deadline for the construction of the Korean war memorial.

Anil Malhotra, general secretary of the Korean War Veterans Association of India said two couples were going to Korea in July, October, and November each, and there will be descendants of veterans going to Korea next year to participate in the 70th anniversary of the Korean War.

Tanvi and Ananya are also going to Korea for the peace camp this month.

(Story inputs by Riya Garg & Anjali Dalal)