Congress, Pentagon Mark Korean War Anniversary

The U.S. Congress and Defense Department held events Thursday to mark the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

Leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives gathered for the first time together for a commemorative event, with the Pentagon also holding such an event for the first time.

The venue for the congressional event was the National Statuary Hall, where the statues of 100 major American politicians are on display. The hall was the main hall for the House from 1807 to 1857.

The event was also attended by 300 Korean War veterans and those wounded in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and House Minority Leader John Boehner made commemorative speeches.

The South Korean and U.S. national flags along with those of the 16 countries that sent soldiers to help the South were also placed.

Pelosi said the Korean War is called the forgotten war but all heroes who survived or sacrificed themselves in the conflict should be remembered.

Prior to the congressional event, the Defense Department held an official event inside the Pentagon in the morning. Army Under Secretary Joseph W. Westphal said South Korea has emerged as an economic powerhouse in Asia based on the sacrifices and courage of Korean War veterans, adding South Korea is a key U.S. ally, partner and friend.

yhchoi65@donga.com