New Delhi: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and South Korean Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul on Thursday inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park in Seoul – the memorial built as part of commemorative events marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean War.
This development highlighted the role of Indian soldiers during and after the three-year war.
Concluding his two-day visit to the East Asian country, Singh said: “The memorial stands as a tribute to the bravery, sacrifice and humanitarian service rendered by the 60th Field Ambulance of the Indian Army and the Custodial Force of India (CFI) during the war.”
The 60th Field Ambulance, commanded by Lt. Colonel A.G. Rangaraj, Maha Vir Chakra, has received widespread recognition for its service and dedication; It treated thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians under difficult conditions. The medical unit, which participated in airborne operations in Korea, contributed 627 soldiers and treated more than 222,000 patients during its deployment.
More than 2.5 million people were killed in the war between South Korea and North Korea (both supported by their allies).
“The lasting legacy of India’s contribution to peace and humanitarian assistance on the Korean Peninsula is truly remarkable. The shared history and sacrifices made by the two countries continue to serve as a strong foundation for the special strategic partnership between India and the Republic of Korea,” Singh added.
The two ministers laid a wreath at the memorial and paid tribute to the Indian personnel whose service the South Korean people still remember with respect and gratitude. The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at cooperating to honor Korean War veterans and enhance exchanges between them.
The Korean War ended with an armistice agreement in July 1953.
India played a pivotal role in the post-armistice phase of the Korean War through the 5,500-member International Atomic Energy Commission, which worked under the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRC). The committee, headed by Lieutenant General KS Thimmaya (later General and Army Chief), was established to facilitate the humane repatriation and detention of prisoners of war after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement.
The Ministry of Defense said that the CFI carried out its sensitive and complex responsibilities with professionalism, impartiality and compassion, and received international recognition for its contribution to peace, reconciliation and humanitarian principles.
The war memorial, which received financial support from India, was constructed in the same area where the CFI established the Hind Nagar in September 1954, which housed approximately 22,000 prisoners of war until their peaceful return to their homeland.
India and South Korea on Wednesday signed agreements to advance cooperation in areas such as defence, cybersecurity, training and UN peacekeeping operations, during talks between Singh and his Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu-bak in Seoul.
The two leaders also discussed steps to deepen cooperation in defense production, maritime security, emerging technologies, military exchanges, logistics and regional security.
