Yoon Expresses Gratitude to Korean War Veterans in the Netherlands

Netherlands Supports UN Military Aid... Fourth Combat Unit Deployment Country
Meeting Between Korean and Dutch Veterans, Awarding 'Hero's Uniform' as a Token of Respect

During his state visit to the Netherlands, President Yoon Suk-yeol met with Korean War veterans and their families on the 13th (local time) to express his gratitude. President Yoon presented the 'Hero's Uniform' to the veterans.

On the afternoon of the same day, President Yoon attended a Korean War veterans' meeting held in the Throne Room of the Royal Palace, where he met King Willem-Alexander, Korean War veterans and their families, and executives of the Korean War Veterans Association.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to the Netherlands, is bowing after speaking at a meeting with Korean War veterans and their families held at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam on the 13th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In the past, the Netherlands actively supported the United Nations' decision for military assistance when the Korean War broke out. The navy arrived in Korea on July 19, 1950, and the army on November 23, 1950, deploying combat units faster than any UN country except the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. They achieved remarkable feats in battles such as the Battle of Hoengseong, the Battle of Inje, and the Battle of Byeolgokji, and carried out defense duties along the armistice line until October 1, 1954.

On this day, President Yoon entered the meeting hall with King Willem-Alexander and greeted the attendees. President Yoon expressed his gratitude, saying, "It is an honor to meet the veterans during the first state visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries," and also conveyed his appreciation to the king. He then had a conversation with Theodorus Habber, a Dutch Korean War veteran; Choi Byung-soo, a Korean War veteran; Lindert Schroeders, vice president of the Korean War Veterans Association; and Hendrika den Auden, the niece of the late Lieutenant Colonel Marinus den Auden, who was the commander of the Dutch battalion and died in the Battle of Hoengseong.

Notably, Choi Byung-soo, who served as a KATUSA (Korean Augmentation To the United States Army) in the Dutch battalion during the Korean War, specially attended this meeting, sharing a meaningful reunion with his Dutch comrades who fought alongside him risking their lives 70 years ago.

President Yoon, together with King Willem-Alexander, presented the 'Hero's Uniform' to veteran Kortrever, expressing special gratitude. The 'Hero's Uniform' was created by our government to honor the sacrifice and dedication of veterans on the 70th anniversary of the armistice. In April, First Lady Kim Geon-hee presented it to American veterans during her visit to a U.S. veterans' nursing home, and in July, President Yoon invited Luxembourg veterans who visited Korea for the 70th anniversary of the armistice to the presidential office and presented it to them.

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