Obama calls Korean War a victory

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Saturday (local time) that the Korean War is a victory.

Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War, President Obama said at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, “We can say with confidence that war was no tie. Korea was a victory.”

This seems to be a new interpretation on the Korean War, which is devalued and would become known as the “forgotten war.” He attended the 60th ceremony of armistice for the first time as the incumbent U.S. president.

“When 50 million South Koreans live in freedom -- a vibrant democracy, one of the world’s most dynamic economies -- that’s a victory; that’s your legacy,” he said after opening the speech with “annyeonghaseyo (good morning in Korean).” “No war should be ever forgotten and the United States will remain a force for peace and security and prosperity.”

“South Korea is in stark contrast to the repression and poverty of the North,” he said. “And for generations to come, when history recalls how free nations banded together in a long Cold War, and how we won that war, let it be said that Korea was the first battle.”

The ceremony lasted for 90 minutes with the presence of some 7,000 U.S. and Korean government officials, veterans, and citizens. President Obama, and Rep. Kim Jung-hoon, special envoy of President Park Geun-hye, offered flowers to the memorial and saluted to the statue of veterans.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Park urged Korean War participating nations to join the World Peace Park initiative in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 60th anniversary ceremony of the armistice held at the War Memorial of Korea on Saturday.

“I would like to create a small place in the demilitarized zone where weapons disappear and peace and trust grow,” she said. “If the nations that signed the armistice treaty create a peace park in accordance with international rules, processes, and agreement, it will be the starting point of peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. Please pay attention and interest in the creation of the DMZ World Peace Park.”

President Park also said to the North, “I urge the North to renounce nuclear weapons program and take a step toward the path to true changes and peace.”