Rajnath Singh unveils Indian War Memorial in South Korea

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park alongside South Korea’s Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul, commemorating the contribution of Indian troops during and after the Korean War.The memorial, jointly built by India and South Korea as part of events marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, honours the Indian Army’s 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India (CFI) for their humanitarian, medical and peacekeeping roles during the conflict and its aftermath.The two ministers laid wreaths at the memorial and paid tribute to Indian personnel whose contributions continue to be remembered in South Korea decades after the war.
Addressing the ceremony, Singh said India’s role during the Korean War reflected the country’s enduring commitment to peace, humanitarian assistance and international cooperation. He added that the wartime sacrifices shared by India and South Korea continue to strengthen the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries.“Commemorating the role of Indian troops helps strengthen people-to-people understanding and brings renewed attention to the historic bonds between the two countries,” Singh said.The Defence Minister also thanked the South Korean government, especially the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, for supporting the construction of the memorial.Kwon Oh-eul praised India’s contribution during the war and said the dedication and sacrifice of Indian soldiers forged lasting bonds of friendship between Seoul and New Delhi.

#WATCH | Paju, South Korea: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "On the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, I pay tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for peace in the region. This memorial is a symbol of courage, compassion and sacrifice. It also conveys the… pic.twitter.com/koeiZbnqQ0

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During the event, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in honouring Korean War veterans and enhancing exchanges between them. They also released a memoir dedicated to soldiers who served during the conflict.Among India’s most notable contributions during the war was the work of the Indian Army’s 60 Para Field Ambulance unit, commanded by Lt Col A.G. Rangaraj,Maha Vir Chakra. The unit treated thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians while operating under intense battlefield conditions.South Korean civilians and soldiers later bestowed the title “Maroon Angels” on the unit in recognition of its humanitarian and medical services.
According to sources,India also played a key diplomatic and peacekeeping role following the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953. Lt Gen K. S. Thimayya chaired the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission NNRC), while the Custodian Force of India supervised the custody and repatriation of prisoners of war.Indian personnel were widely praised for handling the sensitive operation with professionalism, neutrality and compassion, contributing to reconciliation efforts on the Korean Peninsula.
The memorial has been constructed at the same location where the Custodian Force of India established “Hind Nagar” in September 1954 to house nearly 22,000 prisoners of war before their peaceful repatriation.According to officials the memorial project, funded by India’s Ministry of Defence, seeks to preserve and honour a relatively lesser-known chapter in the shared history of India and South Korea.Senior diplomats, military representatives, veterans and officials from both countries attended the ceremony, including Kalpana Prasad, niece of Lt Col Rangaraj. South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs also dedicated the month in honour of Rangaraj.Singh concluded his four-day visit to Vietnam and South Korea with the inauguration ceremony,according to agency reports.