S. Korean envoy thanks U.S. Korean War veterans for defense of S. Korea

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, July 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Ambassador Han Duck-soo Monday
thanked U.S. Korean War veterans for their role in the defense of South Korea in
the 1950-53 Korean War, which left tens of thousands of American soldiers dead or
missing in action.
"The prosperity and democracy South Korea currently enjoys would not have been
possible without their sacrifice," Han told a gathering of more than 300 American
veterans and officials of South Korea and the U.S. at the Korean War Memorial in
downtown Washington, D.C. "We will always remember that."
The gathering marked the 56th anniversary of the end of the Korean War by
armistice. With no peace treaty in place, the two Koreas are technically still at
war.
As many as 54,246 American soldiers were killed and 8,176 were captured or
disappeared in the three-year war in which the U.S. fought against North Korea
and its communist ally, China.
Han's remarks came as the White House and other major U.S. government agencies
flew the Stars and Stripes at half mast to mark the anniversary of the armistice.
U.S. President Barack Obama Sunday designated July 27 as "National Korean War
Veterans Armistice Day," calling upon "all Americans to observe this day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor and give thanks to our
distinguished Korean War veterans."
Obama ordered the flag flown at half staff Monday "in memory of the Americans who
died as a result of their service in Korea."
The proclamation came in line with the Korean War Veterans Recognition Act, which
passed the Senate and House of Representatives last week to honor Korean War
veterans and those who were killed or went missing in the war.
The U.S. has never designated any national day to commemorate a war, although it
has 17 national days, including the Independence Day and the Veterans Day, to fly
the U.S. flag.
Han described all American Korean War veterans and those who were killed in the
war as "heroes."
"The government and people of South Korea will always thank them," the ambassador
said.
Han also emphasized the need for closer cooperation between Seoul and Washington
in dealing with North Korea's nuclear threats.
hdh@yna.co.kr