Military leaders and war veterans from South Korea and the United States laid wreaths Wednesday to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers during one of the pivotal battles of the Korean War.
An estimated 2,000 people, including some 400 bemedalled veterans from the two nations, Defense Minister Kim Tae-young and Gen. Walter Sharp, the commander of U.S. forces in the South, as well as ordinary citizens, joined a solemn ceremony in Seoul to mark the Battle of Jangjin "Chosin" Reservoir six decades ago.
The battle took place at the man-made reservoir in the northern part of North Korea shortly after China's army entered the war in late 1950, with more than 100,000 Chinese troops surrounding 30,000 U.N. troops.
Although Chinese forces outnumbered the U.N. forces, they battled their way through to protect the reservoir, which was the only retreat route for the U.N. forces.
"We will remember your sacrifice forever," Minister Kim told the wartime veterans. "Without your sacrifice, the Republic of Korea would not have achieved peace and prosperity today." Republic of Korea is South Korea's official name.
Prior to his speech, Kim stood silently in front of a monument at the War Memorial bearing names of the fallen soldiers. Straightening, he snapped a salute.
"I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to the honorable spirit of the fallen soldiers who sacrificed during the battle," Kim said.
Sharp said, "As your successor maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, we owe you debts that can never be repaid."
"Today's Korea is your legacy," said the commander of some 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the South. "Should deterrence fail, we will always be ready and remain ready to fight and win."
The U.S. was the most important ally for the South during the war, with American soldiers accounting for 91 percent of the 1.94-million-strong U.N. forces. Although statistics vary, about 37,000 U.S. soldiers died in the war and around 8,000 were reported missing.
The Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950, when tank-led North Korean troops invaded South Korea. The U.S. and 20 other allied countries fought on the side of South Korea under the U.N. flag. The conflict ended in a cease-fire three years later.
Wednesday's ceremony capped the host of government-organized events this year to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.