The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding on international veterans affairs cooperation with France's Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs on Tuesday to strengthen recognition of Korean War veterans.
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul and French Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin attended the signing ceremony.
The MOU expands and specifies the letter of intent on veterans affairs cooperation signed in 2023.
Key provisions include collecting and sharing records on France's wartime history and veterans, honoring veterans and bereaved families, cooperating on memorial facilities to commemorate veterans' service and fallen soldiers, exchange programs for descendants and future generations, academic, educational and cultural projects, and collecting records related to Korea's independence movement.
"It is deeply meaningful to sign this MOU strengthening friendship and solidarity through veterans affairs with France, a Korean War participant nation, on the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Korea," Minister Kwon said.
Before the signing ceremony, Minister Kwon greeted President Macron and his wife upon their arrival at Seoul Airport, then moved to the War Memorial of Korea, where he laid a wreath at the French Participation Monument and paid tribute at the memorial stones honoring fallen soldiers of both nations.
During the Korean War, France dispatched 3,421 army and navy personnel. A total of 269 were killed and 1,008 were wounded, marking a significant sacrifice.