Defence minister Rajnath Singh and South Korean minister of patriots & veterans affairs Kwon Oh-eul on Thursday jointly inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park in Seoul. Rajnath called the memorial “a fitting tribute to Indian troops’ valour, sacrifice and humanitarian contribution during the Korean War”.Constructed as part of the commemorative events marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, the memorial stands as a tribute to the courage, sacrifice and humanitarian service rendered by the 60 Para Field Ambulance of the Indian Army and the Custodian Force of India (CFI) during the war.Laying a wreath at the memorial, Rajnath highlighted the enduring legacy of India’s contribution to peace and humanitarian assistance on the Korean peninsula. He noted that the shared history and sacrifices of the two nations continue to serve as a strong foundation for the India- South Korea special strategic partnership.An MoU was signed by the two ministers aimed at cooperation for honouring the veterans of the Korean war and strengthening exchanges between them. A memoir was also released in remembrance of the selfless sacrifice of the soldiers. The 60 Para Field Ambulance, commanded by Lt Col (Dr) A G Rangaraj, Maha Vir Chakra, earned widespread recognition for its exemplary medical service and dedication in treating thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians under extremely challenging conditions of crossfire. The Indian War Memorial has been constructed in the same area where the CFI had established the ‘HIND NAGAR’ in Sept 1954, housing almost 22,000 prisoners of war till their peaceful repatriation.
