Seoul: Rajnath Singh and Kwon Oh-eul jointly inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park on May 21, marking a significant tribute to the bravery, sacrifice and humanitarian service of Indian troops during the Korean War.
The memorial has been established as part of commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and honours the contributions of the 60 Para Field Ambulance of the Indian Army and the Custodian Force of India, both of which played vital humanitarian and peacekeeping roles during and after the conflict.
The two ministers laid wreaths at the memorial and paid homage to Indian personnel whose service continues to be remembered with gratitude in South Korea. During the ceremony, Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s enduring commitment to peace and humanitarian assistance on the Korean Peninsula, describing the shared history between the two nations as a strong pillar of the India–Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership.
He noted that recognising the sacrifices of Indian troops would deepen people-to-people ties and strengthen awareness of the historical bonds linking the two countries. The Defence Minister also thanked the South Korean government and its Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for supporting the construction of the memorial.
South Korea’s veterans affairs minister praised India’s contribution during the Korean War and acknowledged the lasting friendship built through the courage and compassion shown by Indian forces.
An agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation in honouring Korean War veterans and strengthening exchanges between both countries was also signed during the event. In addition, a commemorative memoir dedicated to the sacrifices of Indian soldiers was officially released.
The 60 Para Field Ambulance unit, commanded by A. G. Rangaraj, earned global recognition for providing medical assistance to thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians under extremely dangerous battlefield conditions. Their courage and humanitarian work earned them the title “Maroon Angels” among local civilians and injured troops.
India also played a key role after the war through the Custodian Force of India under the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, chaired by K. S. Thimayya. The commission supervised the humane repatriation and custody of prisoners of war following the Korean Armistice Agreement of 1953.
The newly inaugurated memorial stands at the historic site where the Custodian Force of India had established “Hind Nagar” in 1954, which temporarily housed nearly 22,000 prisoners of war before their peaceful repatriation.
Senior military officials, diplomats, veterans and distinguished guests from both countries attended the ceremony. The event also marked the conclusion of Rajnath Singh’s four-day diplomatic visit to Vietnam and South Korea, reinforcing India’s long-standing commitment to international peacekeeping, humanitarian cooperation and strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.
