"Thank You for Protecting the Republic of Korea" ... Goseong-gun Presents War Merit Medals for the Korean War

Awarding of Hwarang Military Merit Medal for Sniper Ridge Battle in Geumhwa District, Cheorwon, Gangwon-do after over 70 Years

Goseong-gun, Gyeongnam, presented the Hwarang Military Merit Medal of the late Corporal Park Hee-ho to his nephew, Park Il-gyu.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Song Jong-gu] On the 7th, Goseong-gun, Gyeongnam, handed over the Hwarang Military Merit Medal of the late Corporal Park Hee-ho, a Korean War veteran, to his nephew Park Il-gyu (resident of Hoihwa-myeon).

Corporal Park, originally from Wolgye, Hoihwa-myeon, enlisted on May 18, 1952, when the Korean War reached its peak, and served as a rifleman in the 18th Regiment of the 2nd Division of the Army. He died in action on November 10, 1952, during the "Sniper Ridge Battle in the Geumhwa Area, Gangwon."

Corporal Park was selected as a recipient of the Hwarang Military Merit Medal on October 15, 1954, but due to the urgent circumstances of the war, the medal was not awarded until now. After more than 70 years, the medal was finally presented to his bereaved family through the government's Military Merit Medal Recovery Project.

At the awarding ceremony, County Governor Lee Sang-geun said, "The prosperity of the Republic of Korea today was possible because there were those who sacrificed their lives in the Korean War to protect the country in crisis. Although it is very late, I am glad that even after more than 70 years, we can restore the honor of the meritorious by awarding the Military Merit Medal. I express my gratitude and respect to those who sacrificed for the country, and I will strive to create a society where the families of veterans are respected."

Park, the nephew who received the medal on behalf of the bereaved family, said, "I am relieved that we were able to recover my late uncle’s Military Merit Medal even now. I hope everyone remembers all those who sacrificed in the Korean War."

The "Sniper Ridge Battle in the Geumhwa Area, Gangwon" was a fierce battlefield from October 14 to November 24, 1952, where the 2nd Division of the Republic of Korea Army fought intensely to capture the forward base of the 15th Army of the Chinese Communist Forces. It was a fierce battle with over 6,200 casualties on our side and more than 15,000 enemy casualties.

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