Rajnath Singh Inaugurates Indian War Memorial In Seoul Honouring Korean War Heroes Legacy

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park in Seoul, paying tribute to the courage, sacrifice and humanitarian service of Indian troops during the Korean War . The memorial ceremony, held alongside South Korea’s Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul , marked a significant moment in the shared history between the two nations.

Constructed as part of the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the Korean War , the memorial honours the contribution of the 60 Para Field Ambulance of the Indian Army and the Custodian Force of India (CFI) . Both played a vital role during and after the war, earning global recognition for their humanitarian efforts and commitment to peace.

The 60 Para Field Ambulance , commanded by Lt Col (Dr) AG Rangaraj , earned admiration for treating thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians under extremely difficult battlefield conditions. Their dedication and compassion led South Korean civilians and soldiers to affectionately call them the “Maroon Angels.”

During the ceremony, the two ministers laid wreaths and paid homage to Indian soldiers whose service continues to be remembered with deep respect in South Korea. Addressing the gathering, Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s enduring contribution to peace and humanitarian assistance on the Korean Peninsula.

He said the sacrifices and service of Indian troops remain an important foundation of the growing India Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership . Singh also noted that commemorating the role of Indian soldiers strengthens people to people ties and revives awareness of the historic friendship shared by both countries.

India also played a major diplomatic and humanitarian role after the war through the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRC) , chaired by Lt Gen KS Thimayya . The commission supervised the humane repatriation of prisoners of war following the 1953 armistice agreement.

The Custodian Force of India established “Hind Nagar” at the same site in 1954, where nearly 22,000 prisoners of war were housed before peaceful repatriation.

An MoU was also signed during the visit to strengthen cooperation in honouring Korean War veterans and promoting exchanges between the two countries.