[News Figures] Colin Sakkeri Singing 'Arirang' at the Armistice Agreement Commemoration Ceremony

'British National Star' Korean War Veteran Zachary
"I Will Sing Arirang for My Comrades"

Colin Suckley (93), a Korean War veteran, will sing Arirang at the 70th anniversary ceremony of the Armistice Agreement.

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on the 25th, Mr. Suckley was invited to the event for UN veterans returning to Korea and will visit Korea from the 24th to the 29th.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs stated, "Colin Suckley, a British soldier who participated in the Korean War, was invited to the Ministry’s event for UN veterans returning to Korea and will visit from the 24th to the 29th. He will passionately sing Arirang at the event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the July 27 Armistice Agreement held in Busan."

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik taking a commemorative photo with a Korean War veteran who won Britain's Got Talent

Earlier, in February, Mr. Suckley sang Arirang in front of Minister Park Min-sik of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, who visited the Royal Chelsea Hospital for Veterans in London to express gratitude to British veterans. At that time, Minister Park requested, "We will invite you to Korea, so please sing Arirang at this year’s 70th anniversary Armistice ceremony," and Mr. Suckley accepted.

Mr. Suckley enlisted in the British Army at the age of 15. In September 1950, at 19 years old, leaving behind his newlywed wife, he participated in the Korean War as an artilleryman in the 43rd Field Artillery Regiment. He fought fiercely against Chinese forces in battles such as the Battle of Hill 327, during which he lost four of his six comrades who had also participated. He endured the brutal war and returned home in 1952. His comrades are currently buried at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan.

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik (current Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs) is taking a commemorative photo with Colin Sackery, a Korean War veteran and winner of the British talent show "Britain's Got Talent," at Chelsea Royal Hospital in the UK on February 3, 2023. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In 2019, he participated in Britain’s Got Talent as the oldest contestant ever (89 years old) and won, receiving a prize of 250,000 pounds (approximately 412.5 million KRW). The final episode recorded a 40% viewership rating, and Mr. Suckley rose to national stardom.

Mr. Suckley said, "Busan was the first Korean land I set foot on after traveling by ship from the UK. At the time, on the battlefield, my comrades and I sang Arirang together whenever we had the chance, without fully understanding its meaning." The Ministry reported that he expressed his feelings, saying, "I am happy to return to Korea, which still remembers us and shows gratitude, and I will sing Arirang for my comrades resting at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery."

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