On the 70th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War; wreaths were solemnly laid at Belfast City Hall to honor the veterans who served. Northern Ireland Korean War veterans, including Albert Morrow, were present alongside members of Belfast’s Korean community for the commemorative ceremony.
Morrow, who vividly recalls driving an ambulance for his battalion, described his wartime experience as “absolutely horrendous” and unforgettable.
“When you think about what happened to our comrades who were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner; you can never forget,” he remarked. Morrow added that thoughts of his fellow soldiers remain with him “all the time.”
The wreath-laying in Belfast coincided with remembrance events held across the UK and in South Korea on Thursday commemorating the conflict.
Morrow recalled one harrowing moment in particular that has stuck with him through the decades. “All hell broke loose. I had just barely gotten away when the medical officer and driver in a Jeep four vehicles behind me were trapped and taken prisoner. I escaped by the skin of my teeth,” he recounted solemnly.
The Korean War began in June 1950 when North Korea, backed by China and the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea across the 38th parallel boundary. South Korea was aided by the United States and other allied nations.
After three brutal years of conflict, representatives from both sides signed an armistice agreement at Panmunjom in July 1953, leaving Korea divided as it had been pre-war. Estimates of the staggering human toll include at least 2 million Korean civilian deaths, up to 1.5 million communist forces killed, 30,000 American troops, 400,000 South Korean troops, and 1,000 British troops.
Another veteran in attendance at the Belfast ceremony was Capt Basil Singleton, who was a lance bombardier during the Korean War. Singleton shared that he served in the Army for three and a half years after enlisting right out of school, as there were scarce job opportunities in the north-west at the time. “There was a program allowing us to join as short service regulars, so that’s what I did,” he explained.
Though he prefers not to discuss details of his time in Korea, Capt Singleton acknowledged the experience was often challenging, including dealing with the harsh weather conditions. However, he said he appreciates occasions like the wreath-laying ceremony as they provide an opportunity to honor the memory of those who served.
“We’re thinking of our comrades who we lost and didn’t come back home,” he said.
Belfast’s Korean Community Joins Armistice Commemoration
Members of Belfast’s Korean community attended the event to convey their gratitude to the veterans. Sang-Sub Hyon, leader of the Korean Society in Northern Ireland, shared that witnessing the war in Ukraine has deepened his appreciation for those who fought in Korea. “I want to say thank you to the veterans, especially as we see the conflict happening in Ukraine.
It makes me truly appreciate the sacrifice of veterans from the 16 countries that came to Korea’s aid. Because of them, Korea has been able to maintain its freedom and build today’s republic,” he remarked.
