'Met with PM Ka' Kim Dong-yeon "Commemorating Canadian Troops Who Fought in the 6.25 Gapyeong Battle"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (left) is attending the ceremony commemorating the creation of the Gapyeong Battle Site Forest Trail in honor of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Canada diplomatic relations on the 18th, and is talking with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon commemorated the Canadian soldiers who participated in the Korean War Battle of Gapyeong together with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Pierre James Trudeau on the 18th.

Governor Kim attended the ceremony marking the creation of the Canada War Veterans Gapyeong Battle Site Forest Trail, commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Canada, where he laid a wreath and observed a moment of silence at the battle monument alongside Prime Minister Trudeau.

Governor Kim has a history of discussing bilateral economic cooperation with Prime Minister Trudeau, having met at the Hamburg G20 Summit in 2017 when he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance.

After laying the wreath, Governor Kim told Prime Minister Trudeau, "Your speech at the National Assembly yesterday was very impressive," and noted, "You are the first Canadian Prime Minister to visit this Gapyeong battle site, recorded as one of the most significant battles of the Korean War."

In response, Prime Minister Trudeau said, "I hope I am not the last," and engaged in discussions with Governor Kim about strengthening cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and Canada.

The Battle of Gapyeong took place from April 23 to 25, 1951, around the Gapyeong area, where the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade?composed of Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and British troops?repelled Chinese forces advancing toward Seoul. Notably, the Canadian troops’ defense of Hill 677 at Gapyeong played a pivotal role in turning the tide of the Korean War. It is regarded as one of the greatest military achievements in Canadian war history. During the Korean War, Canada deployed approximately 27,000 troops, with 516 killed and 1,042 wounded.

About 450 Canadian soldiers stationed at Gapyeong Hill bravely fought despite being surrounded by some 6,000 Chinese troops, even requesting friendly forces to bomb near their positions to repel the enemy.

In particular, the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, which led the victory at the Battle of Gapyeong, was hastily formed and deployed after the outbreak of the Korean War. Many of its members were under twenty years old. The valor of these young Canadian soldiers was a crucial factor in reversing the difficult situation and defending Seoul.

The Gapyeong Battle Site Forest Trail, where the commemorative event was held, is a 5.3 km walking path that passes through the sections and key points defended by the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry during the battle, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of Canadian veterans. The trail includes four hills, with the highest and most fiercely contested being Hill 677 at the trail’s end, where the Canada House pavilion was established. Canada House was donated by Canada to symbolize the friendship between Korea and Canada on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023.

Meanwhile, Governor Kim is scheduled to sign the 4th implementation plan between Gyeonggi Province and British Columbia (BC), Canada, with BC Premier David Eby on the 31st.

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