Memorial ceremony to be held to pay tribute to Americans who sacrificed for Korea

A memorial ceremony to pay tribute to deceased American patriots and heroes who fought for the independence of Korea will be held Thursday to mark the first government-led event. The Patriots and Veterans Ministry will be the host, who, in collaboration with the Eighth U.S. Army headquarters and the Association of Korea-U.S. Friendship Alliance, will hold the event at the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery in northern Seoul.

A ministry official said Wednesday, "At the memorial ceremony, we will pay respect to and lay flowers on the graveyards of U.S. Navy Lieutenant William Hamilton Shaw and Dr. Homer Hulbert among others." A photo exhibition for 10 patriots and heroes including Shaw will be held the same day under the theme "People Who Loved Korea More than Koreans Did."

The Yanghwajin cemetery was established in 1890 for foreign missionaries. After the Korean War in 1953, the cemetery has added foreigners who contributed to Korea`s independence and development including 73 family members including 36 U.S. soldiers.

neone@donga.com