The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced that it will hold a “UN War Veterans' Descendants Exchange Camp” from the 6th to the 12th in Seoul, Busan, Pyeongtaek, and other locations for six nights and seven days to pass on the bonds formed through the Korean War and UN participation to future generations.

The UN Participating Nations' Descendants Exchange Camp, which began in 2009 and is now in its 16th year, has expanded its participation this year to include domestic and international university students, with over 50 students from the Ivy League in the United States, descendants of UN veterans, and university students from participating nations and South Korea, totaling 150 participants from 13 countries.

The camp will begin with an opening ceremony and will include visits to war memorials and other facilities related to the war, talks with prominent figures, a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) for security, and a visit to the Humphreys Military Base. Cultural experiences and academic tasks will also be carried out in groups.

On the afternoon of the 6th, the opening ceremony will be held with the participation of Lee Hee-wan, Deputy Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and camp participants. Following this, renowned domestic chef Choi Hyun-seok will prepare and introduce dishes symbolizing the sacrifice, overcoming, and peace embodied in the Korean War, providing a moment to reflect on the horrors of war and the significance of peace.

On the 7th, the participants will visit the War Memorial of Korea to pay tribute to the noble sacrifices of UN veterans, lay flowers and pay respects at the Memorial Wall for the Fallen, and visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Paju to tour Dora Observatory and Imjingak. They will then attend the Veterans' Culture Festival “Korea Memorial Music Festa” at Seoul Olympic Park and participate in the UN Uniform Runway fashion show.

On the 8th, descendants from various countries participating in cultural experiences in Seoul will visit Camp Humphreys, the U.S. Forces Korea Command, and the 8th U.S. Army Command Headquarters on the 9th, tour the Korea-U.S. Alliance Memorial Tower, and have lunch with soldiers stationed at Camp Humphreys. In the afternoon, they will visit Hanwha Aerospace, Yuhan Corporation, POSCO, and the Korea Veterans Welfare Medical Corporation to share the social and economic value of veterans' affairs through the outstanding veterans' affairs projects and activities of each company and institution under the theme of “The Value of Veterans' Affairs Blooming in the Private Sector.”

On the 10th, they will travel to Busan to participate in local craft experiences, followed by an academic forum on the 11th focusing on the globalization of Korean veterans' culture, the development of veterans' medical care, and improvements to veterans' services. They will then visit the UN Peace Memorial Hall to review the history of UN forces' participation in the Korean War and attend a lecture on the theme “UN Veterans and the Republic of Korea.” Following this, the group will conclude all activities with a wreath-laying ceremony and paying respects at the UN Memorial Park, followed by a closing ceremony.

Kang Jung-ae, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, stated, “Through this exchange camp, which will be attended by descendants of Republic of Korea and UN participating countries, we hope that this will be a valuable opportunity to remember and inherit the history of UN participation and the noble sacrifices and dedication of the heroes who participated in the Korean War, and to further develop the bond between the Republic of Korea and UN participating countries into a stronger friendship.”

[News Source: Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs]