Korea Racing Authority spotlights war horse Reckless, symbol of Korea-US alliance, at Jeju Forum

The Korea Racing Authority said Wednesday it had launched a formal public discussion on elevating the patriotic legacy of Reckless — a war horse descended from Jeju Island's native breed — into a global peace brand, at the opening special session of the 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, held at the Seokmundae Halmang Exhibition Hall in Jeju Stone Park.

The special session, organized by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, was held under the theme "The Message of Global Cooperation Conveyed by Jeju War Horse Reckless." The event drew particular attention with the attendance of Robin Hutton, author of the bestselling biography "Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse."

In a panel discussion, Hutton recounted the exploits of Staff Sergeant Reckless, who served with the US Marine Corps during the Korean War, hauling artillery shells across the battlefield in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province, and saving the lives of countless soldiers. "Reckless was not simply a war horse — she was a true comrade of the US Marines, sharing every hardship and forging a deep bond with humans even amid the most perilous gunfire," Hutton said. "The fact that Reckless, who moved the world, was descended from the Jeju horse is a profoundly meaningful historical connection."

The session explored concrete ways to honor Reckless's spirit and expand it into powerful cultural content symbolizing Korea-US solidarity and global peace diplomacy — including a plan for a global Reckless film project incorporating AI technology. The session also examined the history of Kim Man-il, a Joseon-era official honored for donating horses to help the kingdom overcome national crises, deepening the discussion of Jeju's heritage as a land of horses in service of the nation.

Korea Racing Authority President Woo Hee-jong, who attended the session, said Reckless — a horse that connected deeply with humans — "can be a symbol and model not just for Korea and the United States, but for every nation." He added that the authority would work to ensure horse culture is carried forward and developed with Reckless at its center.