On July 5th, Governor Kim Moon-soo of Gyeonggi Province participated in a memorial ceremony for the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives, and the 57th anniversary of the first battle of the UN troops in the Korean War. The Governor paid tribute to the lives of the soldiers, saying, “The credit for the stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula, and our blooming democracy and market economy should go to the Korea-US alliance.”

The ceremony took place in front of the “Jookmiryung Monument to the UN Troop’s First Battle” in Naesammi-dong, Osan, on 10 a.m., July 5th. Governor Kim said, “The Republic of Korea would not exist as it is today, had it not been for the noble sacrifices made by the soldiers from Smith Unit, as well as the efforts made by all the Korean and US soldiers who gave their own lives for the sake of a peaceful Korea,” adding, “I would like to pay my sincere gratitude to the soldiers of Smith Unit, for making a noble sacrifice on a land far away from their own homes, to uphold world peace and democracy. May the soldiers rest in peace!”

The ceremony was held to commemorate the fallen soldiers for their sacrifices during the intense battle between the South and North in Jukmiryeong, Osan during the Korean War. Smith Unit was the first UN troop engaged in the war.

The ceremony was joined by about 300 people, including Deputy Commander Stephen G. Wood of USFK and Commander of the 7th U.S. Air Force, Mayor Lee Gi-ha of Osan, and other military officials.