South Korea remembers India’s support in Korean War
The year 2021 marks the 71st Anniversary of the Indian Army’s Participation in the Korean War
NEW DELHI: It was a memorable moment for India and South Koran both when two senior Korean defence officers sang India’s national anthem on the occasion of the commemoration of the 71st Anniversary of the Indian Army’s Participation in the Korean War.
Titled Kar Salam, the occasion was a dinner hosted by the Korean Embassy in honour of Korean War Veterans and their families in New Delhi on November 24.
The Defence Attaché Captain Choi Yongseok and Army Attaché Lt. Col. Kim Hyunsoon sang India’s National anthem Jan-gan-man in Hindi language parallel with the recorded anthem. It turned the Korean War Veterans and their families emotional on the occasion.
Following this, they also sang the national anthem of South Korea also.
As is the annual ritual, South Korea remembers the contribution of India in the Korean War (1950-53) and invites the Korean War Veterans and their families to pay its gratitude for India’s support in this fierce battle in which 22 nations participated.
Related article: Lt. Col. A G Rangaraj declared Korean War Hero for the month of July 2020
Commemorating the 71st Anniversary of the Indian Army’s Participation in the Korean War the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in India Chang Jae-bok and Defence Attaché Captain Choi Yongseok met the Korean War Veterans and their families during the dinner.
The Embassy had to skip the ceremony last year due to the lockdown situation induced by the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, in February 2020, the Minister of National Defence of South Korea Jeong Kyeong-doo who was on India’s visit to attend DefExpo-2020 had met the Korean War Veterans and their families to pay his gratitude for India’s contribution and support in Korean War. He had visited the 60th Para Field Ambulance Hospital in Agra the next day before leaving for South Korea.
In his address, Ambassador Chang Jae-bok appreciated the government of India for sending 60th Para Field Ambulance Hospital paratroopers to provide medical service to the injured soldiers during the Korean War.
Related article: South Korean Defence Minister meets Korean War veterans, families in India
Ambassador said that ever since he arrived in India four months ago, he wanted to meet the Korean War Veterans and their families. He said his first visit outside Delhi was to Agra where he had visited 60th Para Field Ambulance Hospital.
The year 2021 marks the 71st anniversary of the 60 Para Field Ambulance of the Indian Army’s arrival to Bussan in Korea in 1950.
The event was to pay tribute to the sacrifice of the soldiers who participated in the Korean war. South Korea as a nation will never forget their sacrifices and dedication to protecting its freedom and democracy.
