Son of Belgian War Veteran’s ‘Tearful Journey’... Retraces Father’s Footsteps in Cheorwon

Christopher Bernier, Son of Belgian War Veteran
Visits Cheorwon's 'DMZ Peace Trail'
Reaching His Father's Battlefield After 70 Years

The wind lingered longer than usual that day in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province. Christopher Bernier, the son of the late Ernestin Bernier—a Belgian war veteran who stood on the front lines at Cheorwon during the Korean War—visited the area on April 22 and 23 to retrace his father's footsteps. Now, when scenes of peace greet the eye before the scars of war, he walked the land his father had once protected, coming face to face with old memories.

Christopher, son of a Belgian war veteran. Provided by Cheorwon County.

This visit began with Christopher's earnest wish to see for himself the Baekmagoji and Jatgol (now the Yugok-ri area) battlefields, which his father often spoke of during his lifetime. Guided by Cheorwon County, he followed the DMZ Peace Trail's crossing route, visiting the Igilli checkpoint, the Yugok-ri area, and the Dochang-ri checkpoint, retracing the battlefields in Cheorwon that his father would have passed through. The traces of battle sites left throughout the area, along with the tranquil scenery of the Hantan River, conveyed to him both the memory of war and the peace of the present day.

In particular, standing before the Baekmagoji Memorial and the site of the Jatgol Defense Battle, he was deeply moved as he recalled the stories his father had held in his heart for so long. In his words, "I am overwhelmed that the land my father protected has been preserved so beautifully and peacefully," one could sense not only the memories of war, but also the respect and gratitude passed down through generations.

A Cheorwon County official stated, "The visit of a descendant of a war veteran is a meaningful example demonstrating that the DMZ has transformed from a site of tragedy into a symbol of peace and reconciliation. We will continue to support overseas veterans and their families so they can directly experience the significance of the Korean War."

Belgian war veterans during the war. Provided by Cheorwon County

The fact that Belgium dispatched 3,498 volunteers to the Korean War, participating in battles such as the Battle of the Imjin River, Haktang-ri, and Jatgol, and suffered 106 fatalities, serves as a reminder that the land of Cheorwon stands upon international solidarity and sacrifice. This visit was a quiet yet profound bridge connecting those memories to today’s peace.

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