Surviving Korean War POWs Gather Wearing 'Uniforms of Heroes'

Banquet for Korean War POWs, Only 11 Survivors Left
Kang Heeyeol "Happy to Meet Comrades After Just Watching Uniforms"
Yoo Youngbok "Grateful and Happy for Remembering Us"
Surprise Touching Letter "Thanks to Elders, We Enjoy Freedom"

During the Korean War, survivors of South Korean prisoners of war (POWs) who were detained and forced into labor in North Korea for decades gathered in one place wearing the 'Hero's Uniform' provided by the government.

The South Korean POW Families Association and the international relief organization "Warm Day" held a banquet for surviving South Korean POWs on the 19th at a restaurant in Guro-gu, Seoul. Attending the event were seven survivors, including Elderly Yu Young-bok, who won a damages lawsuit against North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, Elderly Kim Seong-tae, and Elderly Kang Hee-yeol. Since the armistice agreement, 80 South Korean POWs have escaped North Korea on their own, but only 11 of them are still alive. Although four survivors who live in rural areas or have mobility difficulties were absent, it was the first time that seven survivors gathered in one place.

At the banquet held on the 19th by the Korean War POW Families Association and the international relief organization "Warm Day," seven surviving Korean War POWs are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Jang Hee-jun junh@

The banquet was arranged against a backdrop of a "sad story." When Elderly Han Byung-soo, who endured forced labor in North Korea for 49 years, passed away at the age of 92 on the 8th, his children lamented that "their father never got to wear the uniform provided by the government while he was alive." The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has been providing uniforms to veterans or their families since April this year through the "Heroes in Uniform" project for Korean War veterans. However, since the government has not organized events specifically for South Korean POWs or gathered the few remaining survivors, most of the survivors, who are over 90 years old, have passed away without ever wearing the uniforms they received.

Son Myung-hwa, the representative of the South Korean POW Families Association, said, "I thought it was pointless to cry every time one of our fathers passed away, so I decided to gather them at least once while they are still alive." She explained, "We invited them to see each other's faces, enjoy delicious food, and take photos of them dressed smartly in their uniforms." The banquet was jointly organized by Warm Day, which has been conducting fundraising activities for surviving South Korean POWs since early this year.

At a banquet held on the 19th for surviving Korean War POWs, Elderly Mr. Yoo Young-bok is sharing his thoughts. Photo by Jang Hee-jun junh@

Elderly Kang Hee-yeol said, "I am very grateful, thankful, and happy to be invited along with our returning veterans." He added, "Since receiving the uniform from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, I had only hung it in my closet and looked at it every day, but meeting with my comrades wearing the uniform and talking made me truly happy." Then, in a strong voice, he saluted the attendees, saying, "Republic of Korea Army Sergeant, Kang Hee-yeol! Thank you, loyalty!"

Elderly Yu Young-bok said, "Having been held captive in North Korea for 47 years, I was completely unfamiliar with Korean society, lost all my compensation, and lived as a welfare recipient." He added, "I will never forget the support and care provided by Warm Day and human rights organizations." Elderly Yu was the first to win a damages lawsuit against the North Korean authorities and Kim Jong-un. However, the compensation process has not yet proceeded.

The South Korean POW Families Association announced plans to initiate additional lawsuits with other survivors who did not participate in the lawsuit against Kim Jong-un. The elderly survivors, who gathered at the banquet and shared long-delayed stories with bright expressions, also expressed their determination to join the lawsuit, saying, "Let's do it together."

A letter sent by an elementary school student child and their parents, who personally sponsored a banquet for surviving Korean War POWs on the 19th, to the elderly Korean War POWs. Photo by Hee-Jun Jang junh@

Near the end of the banquet, a "surprise guest" appeared. A private sponsor who wished to remain anonymous heard about the harsh living conditions of the surviving South Korean POWs and sponsored the banquet costs through Warm Day. He personally handed out health supplements and nutritional products to each elder, saying, "Thanks to you elders, we can live like this," and "It is an honor and a gratitude to meet you."

Additionally, the sponsor distributed handwritten letters written together with their first-grade elementary school child to each elder. The sponsor's family wrote, "Thank you for protecting the Republic of Korea. Thanks to you, grandfathers, we enjoy freedom and live happily on this land," and added, "We will never forget your sacrifice and dedication. Grandfathers, we love you. Please live long and well."

Meanwhile, during the 1953 armistice talks, the United Nations Command estimated that about 82,000 South Korean soldiers were missing. However, North Korea ultimately handed over only 8,343 South Korean POWs. North Korea, which initially boasted of capturing tens of thousands of POWs, drastically reduced the number to mobilize labor for post-war reconstruction. According to data compiled by the National Intelligence Service in 2007, it was estimated that 1,770 South Korean POWs were detained in North Korea at that time: 560 survivors, 910 deceased, and 300 missing. Since then, the government has not tracked the status of survivors.

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