The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said it will hold the "2026 UN Sending Nations Future Generations Exchange Camp" from the 3rd to the 9th in Seoul, Busan and the Gyeonggi Province area, aiming to pass on the bonds forged through participation in the Korean War to future generations.
Now in its 17th year since it began in 2009, the exchange camp draws a total of 144 participants, including 84 descendants of veterans from 13 countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, along with South Korea, as well as 60 general students.
The domestic students number 88, including descendants of veterans of national merit (34) and Korean university students (54). The overseas students number 56, including descendants of UN veterans (50) and university students from sending nations (6).
This year's camp expanded the scope of participating descendants from the previous grandchildren and university students to great-grandchildren and high school students. Airfare is provided to help facilitate the participation of descendants of overseas veterans.
This camp begins its full schedule with a launch ceremony attended by Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Yun-jin at the HL Human Resources Development Institute in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, on the 3rd.
At the launch ceremony, the "Kagnew Choir," composed of descendants of Ethiopia's Kagnew Battalion, will give a special performance. On the same day, Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University will deliver a special lecture on the theme of "The Power of Civic Diplomacy, Led by Youth."
After the launch ceremony, participants will visit major security and veterans affairs sites during the camp period, including Imjingak Peace Nuri Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, the War Memorial of Korea, the Seoul National Cemetery, the Busan Medical Support Nations Monument, the UN Peace Memorial Hall and the UN Memorial Cemetery, to honor the noble sacrifice and contributions of the war heroes.
The camp concludes with a closing ceremony in Busan on the afternoon of the 8th, which includes awards for outstanding participants and the presentation of completion certificates, followed by departure on the 9th.
"The ministry will strengthen its support for various exchange activities so that the strong solidarity between the Republic of Korea and the UN sending nations can be remembered and passed on forever, beyond borders and generations," Minister Kwon O-eul said.
