INJE, April 7 (Korea Bizwire) – The mountainous Inje County in Gangwon will set up a special monument commemorating Marilyn Monroe, who performed several times for US soldiers following the Korean War (1950-1953). The county will place the monument at Inje Catholic Church, where Monroe performed for American soldiers on a make-shift stage in February 1954.
At that time, Monroe was on her honeymoon in Japan with New York Yankees’ baseball player Joe Dimaggio. She heard from a military officer that many US soldiers were experiencing difficult times in Korea, and she decided to try to comfort them. While in Korea, she put on about 10 performances for the soldiers at various locations including Inje, Dongducheon, Seoul, Daegu and Pohang.
Image Credit: U.S. Army Korea / photonews@koreabizwire.com
As owner of the famous two-piece purple cocktail outfit Marilyn Monroe wore in February 1954, when she entertained the troops stationed in Korea, I read with much interest your report of Injje County’s plan to erect a monument to this iconic star. I have researched intensively Marilyn Monroe’s visit to Korea, and have a mammoth file on her visit. Marilyn was to remember her visit as one of the most fulfilling events of her career. I would very much appreciate further information on the Inje County event. I commend the Republic of Korea for commemorating Miss Monroe’s visit, a major career event largely overlooked by her home country. In anticipation, many thanks.