President Moon Attends White House Medal of Honor Ceremony as First Foreign Leader

President Biden Awards Highest Honor, the Medal of Honor, to Korean War Veteran Colonel Perket

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in, who is visiting the United States for the Korea-US summit, attended the Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House as the first foreign head of state to do so.

On the afternoon of the 21st (local time), the Blue House stated, "President Moon attended the Medal of Honor ceremony for retired Colonel Ralph Puckett, a Korean War veteran, held at the White House by President Biden," adding, "This is the first time a foreign head of state has attended the Medal of Honor ceremony, the highest decoration awarded by the US government."

Retired Colonel Ralph Puckett is a decorated individual who received multiple awards including two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, and five Purple Hearts in recognition of his service during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In particular, he was selected as a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his valor in defending Hill 205, a strategic point north of the Cheongcheon River during the Korean War, where he risked his life to repel attacks by Chinese forces.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the US government and represents the greatest honor that can be bestowed upon a US military service member.

President Biden said that with Korean President Moon attending the ceremony today, it holds even more special significance for Korean War veterans.

President Moon expressed his eternal remembrance of the blood and sweat of all veterans who fought to protect the freedom and democracy of the Republic of Korea even in life-threatening extreme moments. He also expressed his gratitude to President Biden for inviting him to the Medal of Honor ceremony.

The Blue House evaluated, "The joint attendance of the Korea-US leaders at the US government’s ceremony honoring the courage shown by Korean War veterans on the day of the Korea-US summit reaffirmed the meaning and strength of the Korea-US alliance that has lasted for 68 years."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.