- Rajnath Singh inaugurates Indian War Memorial in Seoul
- Memorial commemorates 60 Para Field Ambulance and Custodian Force of India
- India, South Korea sign MoU to honour Korean War veterans
- Memorial marks 75th anniversary of Korean War commemorations
GG News Bureau
Seoul, 21st May: Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India, and Kwon Oh-eul, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea, on Thursday jointly inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park in Seoul to honour Indian troops who served during the Korean War.
The memorial has been constructed as part of events commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice and humanitarian service of the Indian Army’s 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India (CFI).
The two ministers laid wreaths at the memorial and paid homage to Indian personnel whose contributions continue to be remembered in South Korea.
In his address, Rajnath Singh said the shared history and sacrifices of India and South Korea remain a strong foundation for the India-Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership.
He said commemorating the role of Indian troops strengthens people-to-people ties and highlights the historic relationship between the two countries.
The Defence Minister also thanked the South Korean government and its Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for supporting the establishment of the memorial.
South Korea’s Minister Kwon Oh-eul expressed appreciation for India’s humanitarian role during the Korean War and acknowledged the enduring friendship forged through the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.
An MoU was also signed between the two sides to strengthen cooperation for honouring Korean War veterans and enhancing exchanges between them.
The ministers additionally released a memoir dedicated to the sacrifices of Indian soldiers during the conflict.
The 60 Para Field Ambulance unit, commanded by A. G. Rangaraj, earned international recognition for treating thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians under dangerous battlefield conditions.
The unit became popularly known as the “Maroon Angels” among South Korean civilians and soldiers because of its humanitarian service.
India also played a major role after the armistice through the Custodian Force of India under the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission chaired by K. S. Thimayya.
The commission was established to oversee the repatriation and custody of prisoners of war following the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement.
Officials said the Indian War Memorial has been built at the same site where the Custodian Force of India established “Hind Nagar” in 1954 to house nearly 22,000 prisoners of war before their repatriation.
The memorial project was funded by India’s Ministry of Defence and reflects the long-standing friendship between India and South Korea.
The ceremony was attended by military officials, diplomats, veterans and members of the Indian and Korean communities.
With the inauguration ceremony, Rajnath Singh concluded his four-day visit to Vietnam and South Korea.
