[Korea Root] "Remember"‥ Jangpari, Paju 'Libigyo'

A Bridge Bearing the Historical Lessons and Pain of the Korean War
Transformed into a Major Tourist Attraction in Northwestern Gyeonggi after Renovation

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Along the Imjingang River in Jangpari, Paju, Gyeonggi Province, there is a bridge named 'Libby' in honor of Sergeant George D. Libby, who sacrificed himself to save his unit during the Battle of Daejeon in the early days of the Korean War.

'Libby Bridge' is the only remaining bridge built by the U.S. military over the Imjingang River in the 1950s, serving as a historical lesson and symbol of the pain of the Korean War, as well as a vital link for the lives of local residents.

Built on Jangmaru during the Korean War, Libby Bridge also holds the precious cultural heritage value of remembering the hardships of that era.

Libby Bridge connects Jangpari in Pappyeong-myeon to Yongsan-ri in Jindong-myeon, and since the withdrawal of the U.S. military stationed north of the Imjingang River in 1973, it has been managed by the Ministry of National Defense of South Korea.

After receiving a D grade in a 2016 safety inspection, the bridge was completely closed, but now Paju City has begun repair work and is constructing the fifth pier.

Paju City plans to transform the area around Libby Bridge, including Jangpari, into the 'Libby Bridge Cultural Park,' linking it with the DMZ Peace Trail to become a representative tourist destination in the northwest region of Gyeonggi Province. [Editor's note]

■ The Only Bridge Connecting the Civilian Control Line

The appearance of 'Libigyo' photographed in 1952 [Provided by Paju Central Library]

From July 1951, when the armistice talks began, although the front lines were settled, the U.S. military needed continuous supply routes and constructed a total of 11 bridges from Paju downstream to Yeoncheon upstream on the Imjingang River, including the 'Freedom Bridge.'

However, due to frequent accidents such as bridges being washed away by floods in the Imjingang River, the commander of the U.S. 1st Corps decided in September 1952 to build two semi-permanent bridges in enemy territory.

'Til Bridge' was built as a submerged bridge, while 'Libby Bridge' was constructed as a permanent bridge.

The U.S. 8th Army Engineers conducted research for the design and construction of Libby Bridge, the 2nd Construction Engineer Battalion handled the design, and the U.S. 84th Construction Engineer Battalion, known as the 'Conquerors of the Imjingang,' was responsible for the construction.

The construction took about nine months, from October 1952 to July 1953.

Libby Bridge is a concrete bridge with a total length of 328 meters and a width of 11.9 meters, connecting Jangpari in Pappyeong-myeon to Yongsan-ri in Jindong-myeon.

The construction technology and quality at the time were so advanced that they were adopted into the highway systems of all U.S. states.

Construction view of 'Libigo' [Provided by Paju Central Library]

According to records from Paju Central Library, the bridges built over the Imjingang River during the Korean War (1951?53) included eight bridges: Freedom Bridge (Imjingang Railroad Bridge), Honker Bridge, Spoonbill Bridge, X-Ray Bridge (Libby Bridge), Widgeon Bridge, Teal Bridge, Pintail Bridge, and White Front Bridge.

Among them, Libby Bridge served as a lifeline for residents of Jangpari and nearby areas in Paju for over 60 years until traffic was banned following the 2016 repair decision during difficult times.

In the early 1960s and 1970s, the daily population flow, including U.S. military personnel and residents, reached about 20,000 to 30,000, making the area very lively.

Crossing Libby Bridge, a commercial district with restaurants, clubs, bars, and inns flourished, catering to the stationed U.S. military, enjoying a boom.

Scenes of Libigyo and Jangpari, Paju in the 1950s [Provided by Paju Central Library]

Kim Young-min, head of Jangpa 1-ri, recalled in an interview with this paper, "Since the U.S. military was stationed in front of Libby Bridge, many U.S. and Korean soldiers crossed it," reminiscing about childhood memories of U.S. military clubs.

He said, "There was a hall (U.S. military club) below our house, and if you peeked through the door crack, you could see people sitting at tables drinking, going on stage to dance and sing."

There were several U.S. military clubs in Jangpari at the time, among which 'Last Chance' was the most popular club among U.S. soldiers.

When U.S. soldiers crossed Libby Bridge into Jangpari, the first club they encountered was 'Last Chance,' also called 'First Chance.'

US Military Club 'Last Chance' [Provided by Paju City]

Also, when returning to the base, soldiers would stop by 'Last Chance' one last time to ease their regret before going back.

Although somewhat controversial, it is said that unknown singers such as Cho Yong-pil, Yoon Bok-hee, and Patti Kim performed at the U.S. military clubs in the Jangpari area during their early careers.

Most of the old clubs have now disappeared, with only 'Last Chance' remaining as a trace of its heyday.

Recognized as a modern cultural heritage, 'Last Chance' passed the preliminary review for registration as a Gyeonggi Province cultural asset last May, and after the final review by the Gyeonggi Cultural Heritage Committee scheduled for October, it will be officially registered as a provincial cultural asset.

Meanwhile, Libby Bridge was used until the U.S. 2nd Division 23rd Regiment stationed north of the Imjingang River withdrew in 1973. After the U.S. military left and cultivation was permitted in the Civilian Control Line area, civilians were allowed to use it.

However, only residents who have undergone identity verification and received a pass can cross, and they must cross in the morning to work on farms and return by evening.

Book cover of 'Libigo and the People of Jangmaru' published with citizens at Paju Central Library [Provided by Paju City]

Kim said, "The distance from Libby Bridge to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is about 4 to 5 kilometers, and the northernmost farming village is Daeseong-dong," adding, "I heard that prisoner exchanges between the North and South also took place here in the past."

He also shared the difficulties residents face after the closure of Libby Bridge.

Kim said, "For five years after the closure, farmers had to take a long detour through Yeoncheon and other areas," adding, "Although the city partially supports the costs, residents eagerly await the reopening of Libby Bridge."

Near Libby Bridge, there are four villages including Jangpa 1-ri, which has about 100 farming households.

Last year, Paju Central Library published a book titled 'Libby Bridge and the People of Jangmaru,' which tells the stories and photos of ordinary citizens who lived hard lives, drawing significant interest.

■ Comradeship and Noble Spirit of Sacrifice

Sergeant George D. Libby of the U.S. 24th Infantry Division Combat Engineer Battalion, who sacrificed himself to help withdraw division forces during the Battle of Daejeon on July 20, 1950 [Photo by Paju Central Library]

Libby Bridge was dedicated on July 4, 1953, U.S. Independence Day, by Commander Maxwell Taylor.

It is said that several names were considered before deciding on the name 'Libby' for the bridge.

Notably, Captain Kim Ho-deok, a KATUSA who died in an explosion accident at the seventh pier during the construction of Libby Bridge on January 1, 1953, was among the candidates.

Also included was Private James O'Grady, a U.S. soldier who drowned while saving a Korean laborer from drowning after a boat capsized in the Imjingang River on April 16 of the same year.

Although these two names were proposed, U.S. 8th Army Commander Maxwell Taylor ultimately decided to name the bridge after Sergeant Libby.

Sergeant George D. Libby of the U.S. 24th Infantry Division Combat Engineer Battalion contributed by sacrificing himself during the Battle of Daejeon on July 20, 1950, when the withdrawal route to Okcheon was blocked.

[Provided by Paju Jungang Library]

He faced a situation where wounded soldiers who could not retreat through mountainous terrain were loaded onto vehicles, but the retreat was halted due to heavy fire from North Korean forces, causing many casualties.

He stopped an artillery M-5 truck carrying wounded soldiers, suppressed enemy forces around the road with a submachine gun, and continued the retreat operation.

After shielding the truck driver with his own body and urging him to speed away, he continued to evacuate wounded soldiers along the roadside but was fatally wounded by multiple gunshots.

Sergeant Libby was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest U.S. military decoration, for his heroic sacrifice during the Korean War.

Despite facing a desperate crisis against the enemy during the war, Sergeant George Libby devoted himself to saving his comrades.

His passionate comradeship and spirit of sacrifice are remembered through Libby Bridge.

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