NEW DELHI: On 25th June 2021 the Republic of Korea marked the 71″ anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in New Delhi organized an event at the Indo-Korean Friendship Park, New Delhi which was inaugurated this year by the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Defence Minister of ROK Suh Wook.
The Defence Attaché Col. Lee In & Army Attaché Lt. Col. Kim Hyunsoon paid their tribute by laying a floral wreath and commemorated the contribution of the Indian Army’s 60 Para Field Hospital Unit during the Korean War.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event was kept small and was attended by one representative from the Korean War Veterans Association of India. The office of Defence Attaché prepared a small gift as a token of appreciation for the members of the Korean War Veterans Association of India and paid his gratitude for their sacrifice and outstanding service during the Korean War.
On the other hand, the Korean Cultural Centre is hosting an online Photo Exhibition titled “Korean War Special Exhibition “60 Para Field Ambulance” opened on 25th June and it will be on view till 25th August. The exhibition will be available to all, on an online platform prepared by the Korean Cultural Centre India.
The KCCI commemorated the contribution made by the 60 Para Field Ambulance and showcased the joint efforts of Indian and Korean Troops with the help of 32 archived photographs. The exhibition will open with a short video consisting of the exhibition images, and a short message of remembrance to the troops.
Korean War, the conflict between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the People’s Republic of Korea (South Korea), broke out in June 1950 in which millions lost their lives. During this time of war, India supported the UN Security Council Resolutions and deployed a medical troop “60 Para Field Ambulance” that provided medical support to those injured in the war. The troop totaled 627, and was the largest troop of the medical units during the Korean War.
The troop included four combat surgeons, two anesthesiologists and one dentist. Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A.G. Rangaraj, the 60 Para Field Ambulance provided assistance to an estimated 2.2 lakh wounded during the war and performed 2,324 field surgeries. The troop was further divided into smaller support units like Daegu Station and Uijeongbu. Among the 627 medical aid workers dispatched, a total of 10 members of the unit were injured and 2 lost their lives.
Through this exhibition Korean Cultural Centre India expresses their gratitude and pays homage to the 60 Para Field Ambulance and showcases the joint efforts of the Indian and Korean troops. The contributions made by them played an important role in bringing peace and harmony to the Korean Peninsula. The 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Korean troops also played an important role in strengthening the relationship between the two countries. Korean Cultural Centre will play it’s part in carrying this relationship between the two countries forward.
The exhibition initially planned for the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War had to be postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, but we have shifted to an online platform this year, to reach our audience worldwide. The exhibition can be experienced on our online platform www.kcci-exhibitions.com/special-exhibition.
