Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and South Korean Minister of Nationals and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul on Thursday inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park near Seoul, commemorating the role played by Indian soldiers during and after the Korean War as part of events marking the 75th anniversary of the conflict.
“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 Indian Guard Force during the war,” Singh said at the event, concluding his two-day visit to South Korea.
The 60th Field Ambulance, commanded by Lt Col A G Rangaraj, Maha Vir Chakra, received recognition for treating thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians under difficult conditions during the three-year war. The unit, which participated in airborne operations in Korea, deployed 627 soldiers and treated more than 222,000 patients.
More than 2.5 million people were killed in the war between North and South Korea, with the support of 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 wreaths at the memorial and paid tribute to the Indian personnel whose service remains immortal in South Korea. They also signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at honoring Korean War veterans and enhancing exchanges between them.
The Korean War ended with an armistice agreement in July 1953.
India later played a major role in the post-armistice phase through the 5,500-strong Indian Trust Force, which operated under the supervision of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission headed by Lieutenant General KS Thimmaya, who later became Army Chief. The committee was charged with facilitating the detention and repatriation of prisoners of war after the Korean Armistice Agreement.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Guard Force has carried out its responsibility with professionalism, impartiality and compassion, and has received international recognition for its contribution to peace and reconciliation.
The memorial was built, with funding from India, on the site where guard forces established Hind Nagar in September 1954 to house nearly 22,000 prisoners of war before they were repatriated.
India and South Korea on Wednesday signed agreements to expand cooperation in defence, cybersecurity, training and UN peacekeeping operations during talks between Singh and his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu-bak in Seoul.
The two sides also discussed ways to deepen cooperation in the fields of defense production, maritime security, emerging technologies, military exchanges, logistics services, and regional security.
