President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led a solemn wreath-laying and tree-planting ceremony at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) in Busan on Sunday, honoring the Filipino soldiers who fought and fell during the Korean War.
President Marcos, accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and top Philippine officials, paid tribute to the heroism of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) and reaffirmed the Philippines’ enduring commitment to peace and international solidarity.
They were welcomed by Ambassador Suh Jeong-in, Custodian of the UNMCK and Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul.
The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) is the only UN memorial cemetery in the world, where some of the remains of the brave soldiers of the 22 nations, who fought during the Korean War, were laid to rest.
The Parliament of Korea volunteered the current UNMCK ground for permanent use by the UN as a cemetery in August 1955 to honor the services and sacrifices made by the UN forces during the Korean War.
The General Assembly accepted the proposal, and UN General Assembly Resolution 977 (X) to establish the UNMCK became effective in December of 1955.
Over the years, the UNMCK has received a number of high-level dignitaries and world leaders.
In 2011, Ban Ki-moon, then Secretary-General of the UN, became the first UN chief to visit the cemetery, paying tribute to the international soldiers who died in the Korean War.
Accompanying the President and First Lady at UNMCK were Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, Ambassador Bernadette Therese Fernandez, Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (ROK), members of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, members of the Philippine defense contingent and Philippine soldiers detailed as UN Honor Guards at the UN Command.
The Philippine delegates were with Philippine soldiers currently enrolled in ROK military organizations as scholars.
Also present in the event were the PARK Eun-jung, UNMCK Director-General of Public Affairs and Mr. John Bocskay, Director for International Affairs. PND