South Korea's Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced Monday it will partner with Hyundai Motor Group to renovate and improve memorial facilities in the Philippines honoring Korean War veterans.
The ministry has established war memorials in 22 UN participant countries, including the Philippines, to commemorate the sacrifice and dedication of UN veterans and honor those killed in action. The renovation project will be conducted in cooperation with overseas diplomatic missions.
The Philippines was the first Asian nation and third country worldwide to dispatch troops after the Korean War broke out, sending a total of 7,420 soldiers. A memorial monument was erected at the Manila National Heroes Cemetery in 1967, followed by a memorial hall near the cemetery in 2012.
The monument stands approximately 7 meters tall in a triangular pillar design, featuring the United Nations emblem and the national flags of Korea and the Philippines at its peak. The names of all 112 soldiers killed in action are inscribed on the structure.
While the Korean government has previously funded repairs for the monument, renovations will begin in March in partnership with Hyundai Motor Group. The project will repair cracks and discoloration, replace marble on surrounding stairs and flooring, and install information boards and symbolic sculptures to enhance the commemorative significance.
The memorial hall, located approximately 1.2 kilometers from the monument, houses a museum and library containing historical records and artifacts from the Korean War. The facility will also undergo improvements this year through the Hyundai partnership.
Following the Philippine project, Hyundai Motor Group plans to work with the ministry to review environmental improvements for veteran memorial facilities across all 22 UN participant countries. The partnership will also extend to preserving and managing independence movement historic sites in various countries.
"Starting with the Philippine veteran memorial facilities, our government will continue expanding maintenance of memorials in UN participant countries to further strengthen solidarity with these nations," Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul said.