Lance Corporal William J. Chrysler, right, helps Private Morris J. Piche, both of the PPCLI, to an aid station behind the front lines in the Gapyeong Valley during the Korean War. (Image courtesy of the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea)
SEOUL, Apr. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — Korean War veterans from Commonwealth nations will revisit South Korea next week to mark the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong and other commemorative events, the veterans ministry said Friday.
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said it has invited six veterans and 15 family members from Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand for a six-day program starting Sunday.
On Monday, the veterans and their families will visit the truce village of Panmunjom and participate in the commemoration of the Battle of the Imjin River, a historic site located just below the Demilitarized Zone, separating the two Koreas.
Their itinerary includes a trip to the southeastern port city of Busan the following day, where they will pay their respects at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery.
On Wednesday, they will attend a ceremony marking the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong, which occurred in April 1951, during the height of the three-year war.
During the battle, the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade successfully repelled Chinese forces, providing crucial time for South Korean and U.N. forces to fortify their defensive positions.
The ministry said the event aims to honor the sacrifices and contributions of the veterans of the United Nations Command member states and foster exchanges with their descendants.
The U.S.-led multinational command was established in July 1950 under a U.N. mandate to support South Korea against North Korea’s aggression and has been overseeing the armistice that halted the Korean War.
(Yonhap)
