February 6, 2010

60th Commemoration Committee and Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs launch superb Internet site to provide details,

description of 2010 programs

By Vince Courtenay

Unofficial column

Korean War Veterans from any world location can find out some of the details of the expansive 2010 Commemoration programs that will soon roll out in Korea. All they have to do is visit the website of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs at english.mpva.go.kr/.

Much of the information is contained in two sections. One can be opened by clicking on the tab entitled “The 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee.”

The other tab “Revisit Korea and Peace Camp” will provide general information on the Veterans Revisit programs and the Youth Ambassador (grandchildren) Peace Camp.

When I opened the Commemoration Committee feature to view progress in the site construction, my eye went instantly to the tab designated Cyber Tribute.

I surely was not disappointed. It brings up an illustration of the United Nations Forces Memorial in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan.

This fine edifice and monument was constructed in 1978 and at one time contained an archive with the name of every serviceman from the United Nations Forces who lost his or her life during the Korean War.

It was completely renovated in 2007 and is now a special exhibition hall. The names of the more than 40,000 United Nations Fallen have since been engraved on the Wall of Remembrance, which is located nearby.

By depressing a button marked “Offer flowers” a floral effect is added to the borders of the illustration. By activating “Burn Incense” an incense urn appears and vapors rise and fluctuate. The third button is labelled “Pray silently” and that is up to you. You provide the action.

The legend beside the interactive illustration reads:

“We engrave your name in our hearts with love.

We inscribe your name in our land with appreciation.”

The chairmen of the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee, Prime Minister Chung Un-Chan and former Prime Minister Lee Hong-ku provide a welcome message and explanation of the intent of the 2010 Commemoration programs.

As the year 2010 marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the Commemoration Committee is promoting a variety of commemoration programs under the theme of remembrance and legacy, honor and gratitude, and harmony and cooperation.

The programs are part of our efforts to help the postwar generations have correct views on a nation and security by educating them on the lessons of the Korean War. We are also endeavoring to express gratitude to the Korean War veterans home and abroad for their noble sacrifices and provide an opportunity for mutual understanding and cooperation for global peace.

The Republic of Korea today was made possible by the noble sacrifices of the Korean War veterans. We remember their contributions and are now exerting every effort to transform our nation into a mature nation that gives back the help we received.
We would like to ask for your keen interest and active participation in the commemorative programs.

Thank you.

Co-Chairs of the Commemoration Committee

Prime Minister Chung Un-Chan

The Commemoration Committee portion of the site also provides much information about many of the 2010 programs, including special exhibits and commemoration ceremonies for some of the battles and major operations.

As an example, below, is an item listed under “Commemorative Programs – Events” that presents information on the Incheon Landing ceremonies. They take place in Incheon between September 14 and 16.

The historic Incheon Landing occurred on September 15 and 16, 1950 when the 1st US Marine Division and the 7th US Army Division, supported by ROK Marines, landed at Incheon. Fighting steadily they reached Seoul on September 22 and after three days of heavy street fighting the capital was declared liberated on September 25.

Meanwhile, the US 8th Army, with the British 27th Brigade (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and Middlesex Regiment) attached, along with ROK Forces, pushed northward from the Busan Perimeter. Beginning the break out on September 16, they steadily drove the occupying enemy back across the international border into North Korea.

Bear in mind that information can change, as the plans develop. Many of the programs are very complex and some change of detail is probable.

Another item listed under “Commemorative Programs – Events” concerns the British Embassy program to develop a Monument for British Korean War Fallen and site it within the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan.

We understand that funding for this noble endeavour, through donations, is ongoing. According to the statistic located under the tab “UN Participation –Statistics” the British forces suffered 4,908 casualties in the war, including 1,078 killed in action and 179 missing in action. Of those killed in action, 885 are buried in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan.

Still another tab, “UN allies in the Korean War,” links to interactive maps. They enable the reader to locate the various monuments that are sited in Korea and in the home countries overseas.

This is a superb interactive feature, still being developed. Calling up a particular nation’s memorial monuments opens an archive that explains (1) meaning and history (2) background and participation, which describes some of the battles and (3) historic photographs.

The site is still under construction and current content is subject to revision, but it is well worth opening.

There are also links to very complete sites that provide illustrations and data on four renowned places that mean much to Veterans of Korea from all nations, and to the People of Korea:

The Seoul National Cemetery

The Independence Hall of Korea

The United Nations Memorial Cemetery

The War Memorial of Korea

Those who seek good information on this outstanding website will be pleased and can spend upwards of half a day on it, exploring all of the many features.

For instance, there is excellent statistical data on the United Nations participation in the war and many other rewarding features.

It will take some exploring and in a case or two you will come across part of the site that is still under construction. But the visit will prove very rewarding.

This is one of the many complex jobs being done by the relatively small staffs of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee.

The Ministry is headed by the very dedicated and nationally respected Kim Yang, whose father General Kim Shin flew a P-51 Mustang fighter plane in the ROK Air Force during the Korean War.

Minister Kim Yang's grandfather, Baekbeom Kim Gu, was one of the great Korean patriots of the Liberation Movement that resisted the occupation of Korea by Japan. He was president of the Korean Provisional Government, succeeded by President Syngman Rhee. I think, fellow Veterans, that we can salute these fine efforts – and maybe even consider the high honour of uncovering, removing hats, for those who labour so hard on our behalf. I speak to some of them often, at 10 pm or 11 pm Korea time, and they are still hard at work on these programs in their offices.

Click on below to open MPVA website

english.mpva.go.kr/

Links to other organizations

Above article provided courtesy of the Korean War Veteran, koreavetnews@aol.com