Keimyung University holds student-led ceremony marking 76th anniversary of Korean War

Keimyung University held a ceremony Wednesday marking the 76th anniversary of the Korean War at Adams Chapel on its Seongeo Campus.

Organized by the university's student council, the event drew about 750 attendees who gathered to honor the fallen and reflect on the war's historical significance.

Among those present were nine Korean War veterans, including Seo Bong-gu, head of the Daegu chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association, along with descendants of Korean and foreign veterans and officials and students from North Gyeongsang Industrial High School.

Dewey Moore, principal officer at the US Consulate in Busan, and Kim Jong-sul, head of the Daegu Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, were also in attendance.

The ceremony opened with a Korean War documentary produced by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans, followed by an opening declaration by student council president Choi Min-chang. Attendees then paid their respects through a flag salute, the national anthem, a flower offering and a moment of silence.

Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets from Keimyung University served as emcees, providing simultaneous Korean-English interpretation throughout, while the military band of the Army Student Military School in Goesan, North Chungcheong Province, performed to deepen the commemorative atmosphere.

"I hope student-led memorial culture will continue, so that we may carry on the noble values our sunbae defended and honor the spirit of those who gave their lives for this country," student council president Choi said.

Lee Jun-hyeon, a sophomore majoring in international business management whose great-uncle fought in the Korean War, also spoke. "My great-uncle was killed in the war and has never been returned to his family," he said. "I will never forget that today's Republic of Korea was built on the selfless sacrifice of people like him."

Senkutesabawit Solomon, a sophomore majoring in German and European studies and the granddaughter of an Ethiopian Korean War veteran, said: "I never met him in person, but my grandfather's courageous choice and sacrifice made my existence possible. I want to prove through my own life that his courage was not in vain."

Kim Jong-sul, head of the Daegu Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, said the blood, sweat and dedication of the war's veterans formed "the most solid foundation of today's Republic of Korea," adding that the ministry was committed to honoring the heroes and ensuring their spirit is fully passed on to future generations.

Dewey Moore, principal officer at the US Consulate in Busan, said the Korea-US alliance "is built on a shared sacrifice to defend freedom" and pledged that the United States would continue to uphold the universal values of freedom and peace alongside South Korea.

University President Shin Il-hee said in his commemorative address that while the Korean War was "the most devastating tragedy in our national history, it is also a great chapter in which the world stood together to defend liberal democracy." He urged students to carry the veterans' noble sacrifice in their hearts and grow into people their society truly needs.