By Lee Jon-young

Minister Park Min-shik of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs held discussions with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Crown Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, including expressing gratitude for their participation in the Korean War and exploring avenues for international veterans' cooperation.

This visit was organized at the invitation of Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, who represented the Luxembourg government on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the armistice this year.

During his visit, Minister Park had a breakfast meeting with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions of Luxembourg veterans who fought in the Korean War.

During the Korean War in 1950-1953, despite having a population of only 200,000 at the time, Luxembourg sent over 100 volunteer soldiers to fight alongside the Belgian forces. Particularly, the spirited resistance of the Belgian-Luxembourg battalion in the Chorwon-Gimhwa sector for 55 days in February 1953, defending against the advance of Chinese communist forces, is remembered as one of the most significant victories of the Korean War. Luxembourg suffered the loss of two soldiers and 13 wounded during the conflict.

Minister Park stated, "Luxembourg is the only friendly country that sent combat troops abroad during the Korean War, and we have invited more than 150 Luxembourg Korean War veterans and their descendants to Korea, allowing them to take pride in their contributions to the war effort. When the Luxembourg Embassy in Korea opens at the end of this year, it is expected to further expand bilateral veterans' cooperation."

Following the breakfast meeting, Minister Park Min-shik and Prime Minister Xavier Bettel paid their respects and laid wreaths at the Luxembourg Korean War Memorial located in Luxembourg City's Constitution Square.

Minister Park then paid a courtesy call on Crown Prince Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie and discussed international veterans' cooperation, expressing gratitude for the dedication of Luxembourg veterans to the Korean War and discussing support for Korean War veterans.

Earlier on Sept. 12, Minister Park and his delegation met with surviving Korean War veterans from Luxembourg, conveying their gratitude. During this meeting, Minister Park presented the "Medal of Peace" to Jean-Michel Clement (91 years old), a Luxembourg Korean War veteran who was injured in battle with the Chinese army during the Korean War, and Jacques Delcourt (92 years old), who fought in the Battle of Imjin River. Families of Luxembourg Korean War veterans also attended this event.

Furthermore, on the afternoon of Sept. 12, Minister Park and his delegation visited a nursing home in Wiltz, Luxembourg, to offer condolences to Ilia Elie Kryloff, a Korean War veteran living there. Due to illness and old age, Kryloff was unable to attend the UN Korean War Veterans' Revisit Program held in July this year, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the armistice.

Minister Park emphasized, "Thanks to the sacrifices and dedication of 22 UN participating countries and veterans, South Korea was able to overcome the horrors of war and achieve today's freedom, democracy, and prosperity. Our government will continue to pursue various policies to remember the history of the Korean War through active exchanges and cooperation in international veterans' projects with UN participating countries. By passing this legacy on to future generations in South Korea and the participating nations, we aim to strengthen the solidarity of the international community through 'patriotism'."