ACRC’s three-year old efforts resulted in the relocation of Korean War Monument to Greek Force

- Korean War Monument to Greek Force standing near highway will be relocated to Yongwol Park ­

July 24, 2020

Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission

The Republic of Korea

The Korean War Monument to the Greek Expeditionary Force located in Yeoju expressway rest area on Yeongdong Expressway will be relocated to Yeongwol Park, at the center of Yeoju-si.

On 24 July, The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission held an onsite mediation meeting presided over by its Chairperson to resolve a grievance filed by Panhellenic Association of the Korean War Veterans asking the improvement of surroundings of the Korean War Monument to Greek Expeditionary Force which are located in Yeoju express rest area on Yeongdong Expressway.

In Greece, Greek veterans who filed the petition and Korean Ambassador to Greece participated in the live mediation meeting through Skype. In Korea, at the mediation site, Greek Ambassador to Korea, Ifigeneia Kontoleontos, Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Lee Byeong Gu, Mayor of Yeoju, Lee Hang Jin and Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy of the Ministry of National Defense, Chung Suk Hwan were present. The meeting was live streamed on ACRC’s Youtube channel ‘Gwonik Vision’.

Greece sent around 5,000 soldiers to Korea during the Korean war, leaving 200 of them killed in action and 600 wounded. In honor of their brevity and sacrifices, the monument for the Greek veterans was built in 1974 using Greek marble that the Ministry of National Defence brought from Greece. The monument was designated as a memorial site by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in 2003 and has been managed by Yeoju city.

When the monument was erected on the top of a small hill, it was surrounded by a quiet and tranquil area. However, the surrounding area has been developed later with the constructions of a warehouse, a hydrogen station, and a smoking area, which caused a growing concern that the monument could no longer fully honor and respect Greek war veterans.

The ACRC, after numerous onsite examinations and consultation with relevant authorities, has come up with the final mediation agreement.

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs will relocate the monument to Yeongwol Park in the city of Yeoju, and Yeoju-si will provide Yeongwol Park area as the relocation site.

The Ministry of National Defense agreed to dispose of the current monument area and assist with memorial events to be held in relation to the monument for Greek veterans.

Greek Embassy in Korea will provide support for the swift shipping of construction materials necessary for the relocation such as marble.

The meeting was the first mediation meeting to resolve a petition by foreigners since the launch of the ACRC. The Greek war veterans, petitioners, who attended the meeting online, expressed their opinions on and appreciations for the result of the meeting.

An ACRC Official said, “I am very pleased that thanks to this meeting, the monument could be relocated to Yeongwol Park and honor the spirit of the Greek soldiers much closer to Korea people. In addition, I hope that celebrating the UN Forces Participation Day on July, we could remember once again the sacrifices for those who fought for Korea.” An ACRC Official added, “The ACRC will do more than just handle filed complaints. It will take a proactive approach to find solutions.”