#74 Sixty Years Later: We Remember

[스티븐스 대사]

Greetings, netizens.  In this month of June we mark sixty years since that terrible day of June 25 when the Republic of Korea was attacked.  The United States and other members of the United Nations joined forces to defend and support the Republic of Korea.  This was a truly multinational effort and a significant moment for the United Nations.  So on Friday, June 18, I was honored to join President Lee Myung-bak and a group of fellow Ambassadors at a wreath-laying ceremony at the UN Memorial Cemetery Korea (UNMCK) in Busan. 

President Lee Myung-bak led a wreath- laying ceremony at the UN Memorial Cemetery Korea (UNMCK) in Busan.  I attended with fellow Ambassadors from other UN member states who participated in the defense of the Republic of Korea. (Photo by Chosun Ilbo, used with permission)

The United Nations Cemetery in Busan is unique; it is the only UN Cemetery in the world.  It was established in 1951 and is jointly managed by UN member states who participated in the war effort in Korea.  Over 40,800 soldiers from the UN sending nations died in the Korean War, including over 36,000 who were Americans.  At UNMCK 2,300 of the fallen are interred, representing 11 nations.  Each year in October ambassadors posted to Seoul from the UN Command member states gather in Busan to remember our fallen.  This year, we were honored by President Lee’s gesture in paying his respects at the Cemetery.  It was a moment to reflect on shared sacrifice, and all that the Republic of Korea has accomplished over the past sixty years.

I placed a flower on an American grave at the UN Memorial Cemetery.

Our banner in front of U.S. Embassy Building, Commemorating the 60^th Anniversary of the Korean War.  The banner says, “We Remember.”

Meanwhile, in Seoul, we have continued at the Embassy to hang a banner to mark especially important occasions.  In this meaningful month, we want to remember our shared history and sacrifice.  The background is from The War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan bearing the names of some of the fallen.  In the foreground is a photograph by American journalist John Rich of a young Korean soldier taken in the spring of 1951.  This photograph touched me, both because of the youth of the soldier, and because he placed azaleas on his helmet.  John Rich also recalled being moved by seeing these flowers on the young man’s helmet, coming after a bitter winter of terrible fighting.  It is good to think that hope and an appreciation of beauty had not been lost, even in those desperate days.  

Finally, netizens, I want to bring your attention to a special 60^th Anniversary website the U.S. Embassy has launched, with photographs, diplomatic documents, and oral histories told by veterans of the war.  The events of 1950-1953 should not be forgotten.  Please take a look at the website and let me know what you think.

Sixty years in Korea traditionally represents the completion of a full cycle of years.  This year, it feels like the right moment to reflect on the sacrifices and successes of the past sixty years, and to look forward to the next cycle, the next step, in taking our historic partnership to an even higher level.

A photo from the website: Richard Underwood (left), with his brother Horace G. Underwood (seated).  Both served as interpreters during the Armistice Talks.

 

[dalle]

I would like to express thouands thanks to freedom fighters who devoted their lives for the peace of Korea aginst Communist-North Korea. All of you, 16 nations, those who supported and kept us our country in peace, democracy and great development. You shoud be remembered forever by us and our country.

[ligerin]

Really beautiful pictures from KOREA and U.S.A. !!!