"South Korea today stands on the shoulders of United Nations (U.N.) forces' sacrifices and dedication, on their blood-stained uniforms."
President Yoon Suk-yeol delivered a speech at the Commemorative Ceremony for the Korean War Armistice Agreement & UN Forces Participation Day
President Yoon attended the "Commemorative Ceremony for the Korean War Armistice Agreement & UN Forces Participation Day," which took place at the Busan Cinema Center on the evening of July 27th. During the ceremony, President Yoon welcomed 62 UN veterans who were escorted by members of the South Korean military and the United Nations Command.
During his speech, President Yoon expressed gratitude to the UN forces, highlighting their sacrifices made 73 years ago to defend the freedom of a country they knew little about, the Republic of Korea. He praised the 1.95 million young men from 22 countries who rushed into the saturated battlefield of war under the UN banner. Among them, a total of 41,000 UN forces including 37,000 US soldiers sacrificed their lives, with 110,000 wounded or taken as prisoners. President Yoon addressed the UN veterans as true heroes who dedicated everything to protect the freedom of a foreign nation at the most beautiful age of their lives.
President Yoon Suk-yeol delivering a commemorative speech at the "Commemorative Ceremony for the Korean War Armistice Agreement & UN Forces Participation Day" at Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on July 27th. – Photo by Office of the President of the Republic of Korea
President Yoon emphasized that, even after 70 years since the signing of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement, the United Nations Command remains vital in preserving peace on the Korean Peninsula and protecting South Korea. He highlighted the Command's role as a platform under the UN flag, allowing allied nations on the peninsula to provide immediate military support and securing seven essential UN rear bases during wartime operations. President Yoon described this significant role of the United Nations Command as unprecedented in UN history and a testament to the international community's resolute commitment to stand united for freedom.
President Yoon Suk-yeol presenting the Civil Merit Medal to veteran Donald Reed during the Commemorative Ceremony for UN Forces Participation Day held at Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 27th, marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement – Photo by News1
“South Korea today stands on the shoulders of United Nations (U.N.) forces' sacrifices and dedication, on their blood-stained uniforms. The country was able to safeguard its freedom from the forces of communist totalitarianism through their sacrifices and dedication," President yoon said. He also expressed gratitude, saying, "Their dedication allowed us to overcome the difficult aftermath of war and achieve remarkable growth and prosperity, built on the foundation of democracy and a market economy."
At the commemorative ceremony, the oath to the flag was recited by the soldiers of the Hanbit Unit, part of the RoK Joint Support Group for the South Sudan, on their 10th anniversary of deployment. Alcyion Cynthia Simpson, the Governor-General of New Zealand, then delivered a message representing the UN participating countries. Patrick Finn, a veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps' 1st Marine Division during the Battle of Changjin Reservoir, and Colin Thackery, the oldest contestant to win "Britain's Got Talent," performed a joint chorus with the United Choir, singing "Amazing Arirang."
The government also conducted award ceremonies. President Yoon presented the Order of Civil Merit (Seongnyu Medal) to the late Private Thomas Colon Parkinson, an Australian veteran who led the establishment of the Melbourne Korean War Memorial. The medal was received on behalf of Parkinson by his daughter. Donald Reed, who contributed to the construction of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in the USA and the development of the South Korea-US relationship, was directly awarded the Civil Merit Medal.