State Senator and Representative of Georgia Visited the ACRC and Expressed Appreciation for “Resolving Grievance Complaints from Korean American Veterans”

State Senator and Representative of Georgia who passed the bill that honors Korean American veterans met Chairperson and delivered House Resolution -

(October 4 2022, ACRC)

State Senator and Representative of Georgia visited the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) and expressed appreciation for the ACRC resolving grievance complaints from Korean American veterans in Georgia.

On September 30, Chairperson of the ACRC met State Senator Eddie Harbison and State Representative William Hitchens Jr at the Government Complex Seoul and received the House Resolution of appreciation.

The two state legislators played the leading role in the proposal and passage of the bill to honor foreign soldiers as American veterans in Georgia for the first time in US history. Still, in other states of the US, veterans subject to being honored are those only who participated in the war as the US armed forces.

In June 2020 and March 2021 in Georgia, bills (HB 819 and SB 225) to extend subjects eligible for driver’s licenses and license plates engraved with a veteran mark and American flag to “persons who participated in the war with the US as Allied Armed Forces of the United States” from “persons who participated in the war as American forces” were passed.

Accordingly, for the first time in US history, Korean Americans have become honored and eligible for the benefits for veterans in the US, such as discounts at supermarkets and preferential interest rates, but were faced with an unexpected problem.

In order to obtain a veteran driver’s license, they needed proof of participation guaranteed by the Korean government. However, they could not obtain an English Certificate of Military Service on the internet if they lost their Korean citizenship. In principle, only the person oneself or his or her lineal ascendant and descendant could obtain the certificate but not by proxy.

Moreover, it was difficult for nearly 90-year-old Korean American veterans who left their homeland more than 40 years ago to find relatives in Korea who could help them, and even if they turned to the Consulate, they had to go through a complicated process involving several relevant agencies.

After several attempts, Korean American veterans turned to the ACRC for help with the support of a volunteer, and the ACRC investigated the detailed information about the military service of the petitioners living in the US and their participation in the war.

However, records of their military service were inaccurate, or some parts were missing since they were handwritten in the past, and the information that the petitioners remember was not precise because it has been a long time since the war.

The ACRC found exact military service numbers based on the records of military service and veteran registrations in cooperation with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the Republic of Korea Headquarters of Army, the Military Manpower Administration, and National Police Agency. The Commission helped 47 veterans obtain an English Certificate of Military Service with five rounds of arrangements.

47 Korean American veterans in Georgia eventually obtained a veteran driver’s license and license plate engraved with a veteran mark and American flag.

Peter C Lee, a Vietnam War veteran, who obtained a veteran driver’s license, appreciated and said, “I was anxious and frustrated since I could not visit Korea and have no acquaintance who could help me due to financial difficulties and COVID-19. However, I felt indescribable joy and pride as I received an English Certificate of Military Service, including the period of my participation in the war, from the ACRC. My homeland did not leave me behind and officially imprinted the Korean Seal on my forgotten record of war participation. I wouldn’t have been honored in my life without the help of the ACRC.”

An ACRC Official said, “I extend my sincere gratitude to State Senator and Representative for making efforts to honor Korean American veterans in the US who left their homeland.”

An ACRC Official added, “Please pay more attention to Korean companies in Georgia so that they would not suffer damages.”

State Representative of Georgia William Hitchens Jr said, “I served as the US Marine and participated in the Vietnam War. As a veteran, I witnessed how courageously Korean American veterans fought.”

He also said, “I fully understand how the enforcement of the Inflation Reduction Act is important for Korean companies since massive EV manufacturing is planned in my district. I express my sincere gratitude to the ACRC and the Korean government for helping us to pay respect to the dedication of Korean American veterans.”