Korean Embassy, PMA Celebrate 66th Korean War Anniversary

Korean Ambassador KIM at Korean War Memorial in Baguio City

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Philippine Military Academy (PMA) held a memorial ceremony for the 66th anniversary of Korean War on July 7 at the PMA, Baguio City.

Led by Korean Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin, Philippine Veterans Affairs Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina and PMA Superintendent Major General Donato B. San Juan II, the event was attended by Filipino Korean War Veterans and Cadets, and SUNG Ho Shin of United of Korean Community Association in the Philippines.

In 1950, Korea’s freedom and democracy were threatened due to the unprovoked invasion from North Korea. Responding to the immediate call of the United Nations, the Philippines was the first Asian country to send its troops, providing the fourth largest military contingent under the UN Command. A total of 7,420 Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) fought side-by-side with the Korean and other UN forces. Of these soldiers, 112 were killed in action and 304 were wounded in order to protect another country’s sovereignty and spare their people from further misery.

In his speech, Ambassador Kim acknowledged the huge sacrifice and bravery of the Filipino soldiers who fought during the Korean War. Ambassador Kim added that their service will always be remembered by the Koreans.