By Charles Audouin
Photos = Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

"Turn Toward Busan," a memorial ceremony to honor soldiers from United Nations (U.N.) member states who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War, was held on Nov. 11 at UN Memorial Park in Busan's Nam-gu District.

Launched in 2007 at the suggestion of Canadian veteran Vincent Courtenay, the annual event is a one-minute silent tribute at 11 a.m. every Nov. 11 facing the park, where those who died are buried.

Among the approximately 800 people who attended included visiting U.N. veterans from 14 countries, government delegates from countries that fought alongside Korea, diplomatic envoys, military personnel from the U.N. Command and students.

When memorial sirens started blaring at precisely 11 a.m. across Busan, people lowered their heads in unison to reflect on the meaning of freedom and peace. This was followed by a song sung by the descendants of U.N. veterans, commemorative concert by the Ministry of National Defense's traditional band, speeches and tribute performance.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said, "'Turn Toward Busan' is a commemorative ceremony that honors the sacrifice and dedication of U.N. veterans who fought 70 years ago for freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea, remembers them together with the entire world and passes it on to future generations."

Along with the ceremony, the ministry runs a program for U.N. veterans to revisit Korea. The aim is to raise their pride in their service decades ago and allow them to experience the country today that they defended.

Launched in 1975, the project invites such veterans and their families three or four times a year. Since 2021, it has also included U.S. soldiers who served in Korea from the 1960s through the 80s. Over the past half century, about 34,000 people have visited through the program.

Three events were held this year to mark UN Forces Participation Day (July 27), the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Landing Operation (Sept. 15) and UN Veterans International Memorial Day (Nov. 11).

Eighty veterans invited from 14 countries will stay in the country until Nov. 13 to go on a cultural tour of the War Memorial of Korea and Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul and attend a tribute at the park in Busan. The oldest of the group is Luis A. Garcia Velandia, 100, from Colombia.

The ministry said, "The revisit program for U.N. veterans is a leading international initiative for veteran affairs to share with the world Korea's prosperity, which bloomed thanks to the sacrifice and dedication of participating U.N. member states, and express gratitude to them.

Starting with U.S. forces on June 27, 1950, about 1.99 million U.N. forces from 22 countries took part in the war for three years. Of them, about 2,330 from 14 countries such as Turkiye (Turkey), the U.K., Canada, Australia and the Netherlands are buried at the park in Busan.

caudouin@korea.kr