Korean War memorial installed at Georgia museum to honor troops’ sacrifices, cherish alliance

A new Korean War memorial opened at a high-profile museum in Georgia earlier this week to commemorate allied troops' sacrifices and their spirit that underpins the evolving alliance between South Korea and the United States, Seoul officials said Saturday. The National Infantry Museum Foundation hosted a dedication ceremony for the Korean War Memorial at the museum in Columbus on Thursday, with the attendance of some 200 people, including veterans of the 1950-53 conflict and their families, as well as South Korean and U.S. officials. The participants included South Korea's Consul General in Atlanta Suh Sang-pyo, Sen. Randy Robertson, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, retired U.S. Gen. Larry Ellis, Eighth Army Commander Lieut. Gen. Christopher LaNeve and Korea's defense logistics attache Col. Kim Yong-sun. The highlight of the ceremony was an event unveiling bronze statues of four Korean War heroes: legendary Korean Gen. Paik Sun-yup and U.S. Medal of Honor recipient Col. Ralph Puckett Jr., as well as two symbolic fi gures -- an American infantryman and a Korean augmentee to the U.S. Army, better known as KATUSA. Paik is credited with spearheading key battle operations during the war to defend South Korea against the communist invasion. Puckett is noted for his leadership in a fierce fight to secure Hill 205, a strategically crucial point, against Chinese attacks in 1950. Paik and Puckett died in July 2020 and April this year, respectively. Source: Yonhap News Agency