A screening of the documentary "Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War: Documenting the Living History," a joint production by the Dutch Embassy in Seoul and photographer Hyeon Rami (Hyo-jae), is held on June 23 at Seoul Art Cinema in Seoul's Jung-gu District. The film shows the journey of Hyeon chronicling his moments with eight Dutch veterans of the Korean War, beginning with his arrival on Oct. 12 last year at Schiphol Airport of Amsterdam.

By Yoon Sojung and Lee Ji Yae

Photos = Park Daejin

"It wasn't a war in a foreign land."

Blue-eyed young men who took up arms some 70 years ago to defend the peace and freedom of a strange land -- whose location on a map was unknown to them -- are now white-haired senior citizens.

Some 100 people on June 23 watched the screening of a documentary at Seoul Art Cinema in Seoul's Jung-gu District produced by the Dutch Embassy in Seoul to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hoengseong of the Korean War. "Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War: Documenting the Living History" evoked a quiet yet profound sense of emotion.

This production was a collaboration last year between the embassy and photographer Hyeon Hyo-jae, aka Rami, whose Project Soldier program records the lives and memories of veterans of the conflict. It shows the lives and memories of soldiers and weaves them into a single narrative.

The documentary follows Hyeon from his arrival on Oct. 12 last year at Schiphol Airport of Amsterdam. Right after he gets there, he crisscrosses the Netherlands without taking a day off to meet eight veterans.

The heroes on screen recounted the battle with composure but in vivid detail. Eight veterans including filmmaker Henk Bos, who wrote a screenplay based on his experiences in the war, and Herman van der Leelie, whom Hyeon met in 2017 and 2018, shared their stories ranging from the decision to enlist to their lives after returning home.

"After returning home, I was forgotten and unrecognized for a long time," one veteran said. "But I have no regrets because it was the right thing to do."

"Korea was in ruins but rose again, and I feel proud to have been able to contribute to that miracle."

Recalling the horrific conditions they endured on the front lines and the humanity that developed among them, the veterans in unison voiced the slogan of Project Soldier: "Freedom is not free."

The Netherlands deployed 5,322 personnel to the war, with 120 killed in action and 645 wounded. Five went missing in action.

The inspiration for the documentary was the Battle of Hoengseong, a fierce defensive stand in February 1951. Despite suffering heavy casualties including the death of their commander, Lt. Col. Marinus den Ouden, Dutch forces refused to retreat despite a massive Chinese offensive.

The precious time they bought through their efforts enabled South Korean and Allied troops to withdraw safely. This laid the groundwork for the subsequent allied victory at the Battle of Jipyeong-ri, a turning point in the conflict.

After the movie ended, a somber mood gripped the audience.

"I really liked the combination of the way the interviewer was sometimes funny and sometimes serious and also seeing veterans are still alive," said Monique van der Steen, human, peace and security chief adviser and senior national representative of the Dutch contingent of the United Nations Command. "Those people are colleagues in the Netherlands, and we get the same gratitude, and I really think this documentary should be brought to Netherlands to show the gratitude."

"It is not only a record of wartime experiences but also a tribute to the lives of veterans built after the war, the memories they continue to carry, and the enduring bond between the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea," said Onny Jalink, deputy head of mission at the Dutch Embassy. "This documentary also highlights the deep friendship between our two countries built during difficult times and strengthened over the decades through shared values and close cooperation."

Yang Daeun, a member of the International Cooperation Team at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, added, "It was a refreshing and grateful experience, as it was the first time I heard the stories of war veterans in such detail."

Onny Jalink, deputy head of mission at the Dutch Embassy, on June 23 said at the screening of "Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War: Documenting the Living History" at Seoul Art Cinema in Seoul's Jung-gu District that the film is not only a record of wartime experiences but also pays tribute to the lives the veterans after the war, their memories, and the enduring bond between Korea and the Netherlands.

About 100 people came to the June 23 screening of the documentary hosted by the Dutch Embassy at Seoul Art Cinema in Seoul's Jung-gu District.