06 Friendly Relationship between the
ROK and Colombia after the
A History of Colombian Forces’
Participation in the Korean War
Korean War
1. Colombian Force’s Withdrawal from Korea and Its
Aftermath
After the battle of Old Baldy north of Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi Province,
the Colombian Battalion turned over the main position at Galhyeonri,
Yeoncheon, to the 3rd Battalion of U.S. 7th Division. Then, the battalion
moved to the Gopori area 4 kilometers south of Yeoncheon as regimental
reserve, and at this place the battalion was engaged in troop maintenance.
While in the Gopori area, on July 6, 1953 the Colombian Battalion sent
off the 9th echelon of 220 soldiers returning home, and then received 11th
echelon of 365 replacement soldiers, which helped reinforce greatly the
strength of the battalion. While engaged in troop maintenance and troop
exercise, the Colombian Battalion was notified of the Armistice Agreement
on July 27, 1953.
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
The Colombian Battalion continued
its mission at the front line even after
the Armistice Agreement was signed.
After the armistice or cease-fire came
into effect at the front, both 17th and
31st Regiments of U.S. 7th Division
Colombian Koran War Veterans
moved their troops 2 kilometers back
to the new positions, and established a
new defense line. On July 30, the Colombian Battalion also moved to the
western ridge of Cheondeok Mountain-Makdong(2 kilometers southeast of
Deukeundong) area. The battalion sector was located at the western end of
the 17th Regiment which occupied the division’s western front, with the
regiment’s 2nd Battalion on its east and the 3rd Battalion on its west.
Maintaining close cooperation with neighboring battalions, Colombian
troops devoted themselves to the security activities against the Communist
reinvasion, just as they did before the Armistice Agreement.
In the middle of August, the U.S. 7th Infantry Division was ordered into
the corps reserve, turning over the new defensive positions to the U.S. 25th
Infantry Division. In accordance with this rotation of units, the subordinate
regiments of the 7th division assembled in the Gyeongshinri area 6
kilometers west of Dongducheon. From this time on, the Colombian
Battalion, under command of the 17th Regiment of 7th Division, reduced
successively its troop strength without receiving any more replacement
soldiers from home country. Finally in late October 1954, the U.S. 7th
Division moved to the Dongducheon Base where the U.S. 2nd Infantry
Division is stationed today. The Colombian Battalion took this occasion of
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
division deployment to leave Korea via Incheon Port.
In terms of the Colombian National Armada’s activities in Korea, the
frigate Capitan Tono (Captain, Major Jorge Taua Suarez) began its second
service tour on Korean waters on April 2, 1954, and carried out its missions
until the frigate left Sasebe Port on March 11, 1955. The major operational
duties the Capitan Tono carried out during its second tour included
convoying supply transport vessels for the units stationed on the East Coast,
and participating in a variety of naval exercises. Particularly notable were
its activities in the West Sea from October 9th to 24th. During this time, the
Capitan Tono, together with the Canadian destroyer Huron, took command
of, and provided cover for, a minesweeping squad composed of 2 U.S. and
2 Korean minesweeping vessels. At that time, these vessels were engaged
in sweeping up mines in the Incheon and Baekryeongdo area in the West
Sea. The frigate’s activities in the West Sea continued without any break
except for one occasion when its crew members went to Seoul to pay a visit
to Korean President Syngman Rhee. During its second service tour, crew
members of the Capitan Tono had a great deal of opportunities to come in
touch with Korean soldiers. Upon completing its last mission of providing
cover for minesweeping vessels in the West Sea, the Capitan Tono sailed
for Sasebo Harbor, and eventually returned to Colombia in the next year on
March 11, 1955.
The frigate Almirante Padilla (Captain, Major Dario Forero Gonalez),
which relieved the Frigate Capitan Tono, put into the Yokosuka Naval
Base on January 12, 1955 for its second service tour in Korea. During its
stay in Korea, the Almirante Padilla, the last Colombian frigate to be
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part

dispatched to the Korean War, carried out a couple of routine missions freedom and democracy on the Korean Peninsular, in a bitter cold and far
which other Colombian frigates carried out since the Armistice Agreement. away from their home country.
Typical among them were convoying supply transport vessels, participating
in all sorts of maneuver exercises for improving its combat capabilities, Today, the successors of those Colombian soldiers who fought in the
promoting mutual friendship by paying visits to neighboring countries. On Korean War are now doing their utmost to defend their hometowns and
October 11, 1955, the Almirante Padilla returned to Colombia, completing their blood relatives from the threat of drugs and terrorists. The mountain
its official mission as the U.N. Navy in Korea. terrains of Korea against which their predecessors had fought were quite
rough, but the battle grounds in which they are currently fighting against
Up to the present time, the Colombian Battalion thinks highly of the leftist guerrillas are as rough as those of Korea. Typical among these battle
significance of its participation in the Korean War. For this reason, soldiers grounds are those of the Andes with its heights of 3,000~4,000 meters and
of the Colombian Battalion think it a great honor for them to hold up to the the lowland Amazon jungles.
present time the unit title of the Colombian Battalion which had been used
during the Korean War, “The Batallon Colombia.” Their current mission is 1) Dates of Colombian Troops’ Arrival and Withdrawal
to defend the Colombian capital city of Bogota from the threat of a leftist Arrival at Busan Withdrawal from Korea Period of Service in Korea
June 15, 1951 October 29, 1955 4 years 4 months 14 days
guerrilla group called the FARC. The Batallon Colombia is currently
stationed at the city of Tolemaida about 120 kilometers south of Bogota,
After the Korean War, one defense minister and two Army commanders 2) Cumulative Number of Colombian Military Personnel
(Up to the Armistice Agreement)
came from the Batallon Colombia commanders, so that for most of the
Officer Enlisted Man Total
Colombian officers to be appointed as Batallon Colombia commander
159 4,155 4,314
almost passed for as a gateway to the promotion to generals. For this
reason, it is quite natural that any officer in the Colombian National Army 3) Colombian Casualties (Up to July 27, 1953)
prefers to serve in the Batallon Colombia. Currently, the strength of the
Killed Wounded Missing Total
Batallon Colombia is about 1,300, too big in unit strength for a battalion 163 448 28 639
size unit. Almost all soldiers of the Batallon Colombia take pride in serving
in the battalion which had taken part in the modern, regular warfare for the
first time in the Colombian history. Their predecessors fought for the
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part

4) Colombian Battalion Commanders Served in Korea 2. The Significance of the Colombian Forces’ Participation
(Up to Its Withdrawal)
in the Korean War
Order of Battalion Commander
Service Tour
1st Lt. Col. Jaime Polania Puyo June 15, 1951-July 4, 1952 During the Korean War, the Republic of Colombia dispatched one
2nd Lt. Col. Alberto Ruiz Novoa July 4, 1952-June 25, 1953
infantry battalion and one naval frigate to Korea as a member nation of the
3rd Lt. Col. Carlos Ortiz Torres June 25, 1953-Oct 29, 1954
United Nations, and contributed a lot to securing peace and security for the
Korean people. Even though Colombia dispatched to Korea a relatively
5) Major Awards Colombian Soldiers Received
small size unit of a battalion, it was quite notable that Colombia was the
Classification Name of Award (Number of) Recipient
only United Nations member nation in South America to participate in the
Korean Award Order of Military Merit Ulchi Lt. Col. Ruiz Novoa
Honor al Deber Cumplido con V 114 Korean War.
Colombian Honor al Deber Cumplido 231
Award There were two important factors which had a great influence upon the
Cruz de Hierro 117
Silver Star 18
Colombian government’s decision to dispatch troops to Korea. One was

American V Bronze Star 25 the Colombian people’s wholehearted support for the United Nations
Bronze Star 9
Award
Legion of Merit 2
Presidential Unit Citation Battalion

6) Colombian Navy (Up to Its Complete Withdrawal)

Frigate
ARC Almirante Padilla
ARC Capitan Tono
ARC Almirante Brion
ARC Capitan Tono
ARC Almirante Padilla
Captain Period of Service
Major Julio Cesar Reyes Canal May 1951-Feb 1952
Major Hernado Beron Victoria Apr 1952-Jan 1953
Major Carlos Prieto Silva June 1953-Apr 1954
Major Jorge Tana Suarez Apr 1954-Mar 1955
Major Dario Ferero Gonnalez Mar 1955-Oct 1955

The UN Memorial Cemetery, Deayondong, Namgu, Busan Metropolitan City (gross area, 144,146㎡)
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
Security Council resolution to
fight against the North Korean
aggressions. The other factor
was a big support from, or the
influence of, the United States
of America.
The Interior of the Memorial Hall, the UN
Memorial Cemetery In relation to the first factor,
at that time Korea was a
country far away from Colombia and had nothing to do with Colombian
people. When North Communists invaded Korea, however, Colombian
people were greatly shocked by the news of North Korea’s invasion to
Korea. When the United Nations, including the United States of America,
took measures to fight against the North Korean aggressions, the whole
nation of Colombia welcomed and supported the United Nations resolution
to dispatch troops to Korea.
In order to fully understand Colombian people’s wholehearted support
for the United Nations resolution, one is obliged to look at its historical and
social backgrounds. For one thing, Colombian people had cherished the
values of freedom and world peace ever since they obtained independence
from the reign of Spain in the early nineteenth century, and these values of
freedom and world peace were deep-rooted in their belief in Catholicism.
For the second reason, the Republic of Colombia had been faithful to the
principle of the United Nations Charter even since Colombia became one
of the founding nations of the United Nations. For the third reason, some of
the Communist insurgents provoked riots in Bogota in April 1949. Because
of these riots, Colombian people had to suffer a great deal of tragedies
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
when “The Violence” took over the streets of the Colombian capital city of
Bogota with robberies, riots and a blood bath. For these reasons,
Colombian people were quite sympathetic to the tragedies of Korean
people, and wholeheartedly supported the dispatch of troops to Korea.
The second factor of Colombia’s involvement in the Korean War had
something to do the United States of America. By this time, Colombia had
maintained a closer and more friendly relationship with the United States
than any other countries in South America. Colombia, of course, had taken
a pro-American stance in its politics, so that at that time Colombia was very
sensitive and responsive to what America was doing in the international
society. Such a relationship between the United States and Colombia had a
more decisive and immediate influence on Colombia’s decision to dispatch
troops to Korea than Colombian people’s support for the troop dispatch to
Korea. Influenced by America’s request to dispatch troops to Korea and
encouraged by America’s promise of full support for the dispatch, in other
words, the Republic of Colombia eventually carried out its promise to send
troops to Korea.
In preparations for the dispatch of troops to Korea, the Colombian
government recruited a battalion size troops in a short period of time, and
authorized to activate “The 1st Colombian Infantry Battalion” with the
Presidential Decree No. 3925 on December 26, 1950. At the activation
ceremony of the 1st Colombian Infantry Battalion, President Laureano
Gomez said with special emphasis to the dispatch troops, the first overseas
troop dispatch in the Colombian history: “You are the soldiers who are
dispatched to a foreign country far away from home for the peace of the
world and for the honor of our country as well.”
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
3. The Korean War Memorial Project after the War
In June 1951, the Republic of Colombia dispatched to the Korea one
infantry battalion composed of 1,000 troops and one Navy frigate with 250
Navy soldiers on board. One Colombian veteran of the Korean War
recalled that at that time Colombian soldiers did not know where Korea
was located so that it took one month to cross the Pacific Ocean. Upon
arrival in Busan, Colombian troops were attached to the U.S. 24th Infantry
Division, and they fought bravely against the Chinese forces in many
battles such as the battles of Geumseong(Nomada) and Old Baldy. Of the
4,314 Colombian soldiers who served in Korea, 141 were killed in combat,
448 were wounded, 69 were classified as missing in action, and 30 became
prisoners of war. Willingly suffering these sacrifices, Colombian soldiers
bravely fought against the Communist forces to preserve freedom and
democracy in Korea.
A total of about 5,000 Colombian soldiers participated in the Korean
War, but currently the number of these veterans was reduced to only about
2,000. Ever since the conclusion of the Korean War, however, Colombian
people have held a variety of events to commemorate the noble deeds of
these veterans. Every year on March 23, for instance, they hold a memorial
event to commemorate the battle of Old Baldy in front of a Korean War
monument which resembles Sukga Pagoda in Bulkuk Temple in Korea.
The Korean government contributed this monument to Colombian people
in 1973. Ever year on November 30, they also hold a memorial event for
the battle of Geumseong in front of a miniature of Geumseong and Old
Baldy battles. The miniature was established five years ago within the
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
compound of Colombian Ministry of
Defense, and those who attend this memorial
event include high-ranking military
personnel, veterans of the Korean War, and
family members of the Korean War dead.
Besides, these memorial events are often
featured on the front pages of Colombian
newspapers. Symbol of Colombia
These Colombian veterans of the Korean
War have great affection and respect for Korea and its people. One
example is embodied in a legendary story of a Colombian veteran of the
Korean War. According to this story, the veteran was one of the Colombian
Battalion commanders who had served in the Korean War. He attended a
wedding ceremony of Korean residents in Colombia, and gave the wedding
couple a big emerald ore of three-finger size for the wedding gift.
According to the story, the veteran was the owner of an emerald mine at
that time. Another Colombian veteran of the Korean War, who is now
running a baking business, brings warm and tasty bread with him for the
embassy staff everytime he visits the Korean Embassy in Colombia. In
case of the Colombian Korean War veteran who is now running a coffee
farm in the city of Cali, Colombia, he always sends a great deal of coffee to
the Korean Embassy whenever he harvests the coffee which he himself has
cultivated on his farm. We Korean people owe a great deal to these
veterans. However, these veterans miss Korea and its people for which they
had devoted their most beautiful youth in Korea during the Korean War.
More than anybody else, these veterans are very much pleased with
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
Korea’s economic development, congratulating on Korea’s achievements
from the bottom of their hearts.
When these veterans participated in the Korean War, most of them were
18 to 19 years of age and had just graduated from their high schools.
Dressed in big and misfitting U.S. Army uniforms, they had to face bloody
battle situations in a strange territory and climate. Along with the strange
bugle sound of the Chinese troops, the Korean frontline situation of a bitter
cold winter night made these young Colombian soldiers recall the
midsummer palm shades and their family members back home in
Colombia. One Colombian veteran of the Korean War said that when he
was dispatched to the Korean front he did not know his wife was pregnant,
and that when he returned home from Korea he was quite surprised to find
his baby walking around. This child grew up to be a general, and he is no
other than General Rubiano, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics,
Colombian Air Force, who now plays an important role in establishing
cooperation between Korean and Colombia in the area of defense industry.
In other words, participation in the Korean War is not merely a historical
incident for both Korean and Colombian people; it is a very important
motive power for the present and future development of both countries.
Organizations of the Colombian Korean War Veterans
○Association of Colombian War Veterans(ASCOVE : Asociacion Colombiana
de Veteranos)
- Year of Establishment: 1958
- Number of Members : 255 (An estimated number of Colombian Korean War
veterans currently living in Colombia is 2,000.)
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
○Association of Korean War Officer Veterans (ASOVECOR : Asociacion de
Veteranos de Corea)
- Year of Establishment : 1989 (Separated from ASCOVE)
- Number of Members : 67 (2 Ministers of Defense, 2 Army Chiefs of Staff, 3
Navy Chiefs of Staff, 15generals)
○Relief Benefit Programs for Veterans
- In December 2001, a law was enacted to provide relief benefits to veterans.
Currently, 600 needy veterans receive relief benefits from the government.
○Support for Veterans’ Families
- Foundation Colombo Coreana Samsung : Established in October 1977 by
Samsung Group to provide scholarships to family members of the Colombian
Korean War veterans.
- Recently, the Colombian government pays up to 700,000 pesos(320,000 won)
every month for a needy veteran or his family members. Such an assistance is
meant to underline the fact that their participation in the Korean War not only
saved Korean people from the Communist reign but it also helped enhance the
status of Colombia in the international society.
○Related Websites
- ASCOVE : www.geocities.com/vetecol
- www.samsung.co.kr/community/white/white98/3rdpart /234_colombia.htm
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part

The Korean Government’s Project for the Colombian this memorial event is an annual celebration commemorating some 700 Colombian
Korean War Memorial casualties who fought and died for Korean people during the Korean War. Another motive
for holding this memorial event is to help promote mutual friendship between Korea and
In July 1971, the Korean government dispatched a Korean delegation to Colombia to
Colombia, and to help Korean post-war generations better understand friendly nations. The
erect a Korean War Memorial Monument. At this time, the delegation also handed over
Incheon Seogu District and the 103rd Infatry Brigade are the sponsors and supporters of this
military awards or Korean War service medal to the Colombian Korean War veterans. In
annal memorial event.
May 1973, they completed the work of constructing a Korean War Memorial Monument in
On October 5, 2005, National Assemblyman Park Gye-dong of Grand National Party
Bogota, and the Korean government donated the monument to Colombia.
participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean War Monument which was
In 1975, the Korean government also erected a Korean War monument for Colombian
erected within the campus of the Colombian Army Command and General Staff College in
troops at Gajeongdong in Incheon Seogu. This monument was erected to commemorate
the City of Bogota. At that time, Assemblyman Park Gye-dong was director of the
everlasting friendship between Korea and Colombia on the one hand, and to cherish the
Parliamentary Inspection Team on the Unification, Foreign Affairs & Trade Committee,
souls of those Colombian soldiers who sacrificed their noble lives for Korean people on the
Korean National Assembly, and the whole team members of the inspection team
other. Engraved on the monument are the following tributes: “Colombian warriors born with
accompanied the Assemblyman’s visit to Colombia.
the spirits of the Caribbean Sea! They fought in the interest of keeping peace in Korea,
On June 25, 2007 at Jangchung Stadium, they held a memorial service which marked the
holding the UN flag high up in the sky. During the campaign, 611 soldiers sacrificed their
57th anniversary of the Korean War. Hosted by the Korean Veterans Association, this
valued lives. This monument was erected to commemorate these who fought and died for
ceremony was attended by a great number of people including Korean War veterans and
peace in Korea. This is a permanent reminder of the selfless sacrifice made by these
Korean government officials. Particularly notable was the presence of 85 foreign veterans
soldiers.”
from the United States, Colombia, Greece, and the Netherlands. Invited by the Korean
There is also a road named “Colombia Road 1-3” in Gajeongdong, Incheon Seogu. The
Veterans Association, these foreign veterans, along with their families, paid a visit to “Hoguk
road came to have this name because it was close to the Memorial Park which had been
Gunsang,” a collection of sculpture works of the Korean War Memorial displayed in the War
developed to commemorate those 611 Colombian soldiers who fought and died for Korean
Memorial of Korea.
people during the Korean War.
On June 23, 2005, a memorial event for the Colombian Korean War veterans was held in
front of the Colombian Monument at Gajeongdong in Incheon Seogu. Present at this
memorial event were a group of celebrities such as Colombian Ambassador to Korea,
Mayor Ahn Sang-Soo of Incheon City, Chairman Lee Hak-Jae of Incheon Seogu, and 103rd
Infantry Brigade Commander. Besides, some 200 people including members of the Korean
War Veterans Association, Korean residents in Colombia, and Incheon Seogu citizens were
also present at this memorial event. Along with the Colombian Independence Day of July 20,
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part

4. Testimonies from Colombian Korean War Veterans

Jose Guereo, Muire, and Alberto Ruiz

On September 9, 1987, Colombian President Virgilio Barco Vargas paid
an official visit to Korea. At this time, Colombia’s Defense Minister Rafael
Samudio and Colombian Korean War veterans paid a visit to the
Colombian Monument in Incheon. This monument was erected to
commemorate the sacrifices and exploits of those Colombian soldiers who
fought and died for the freedom and peace in Korea during the Korean
War. With a quiet note of a requiem reverberating around the Memorial
Invited by the Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs and the Korean Veterans Association, 188 Korean War
veterans and their families from the United States, Colombia, Greece, and the Netherlands attended the
57th anniversary of the Korean War.
park, Defense Minister Rafael Samudio and two Colombian veterans laid a
wreath at the Colombian Monument. Present at the wreath laying was a
Colombian Korean War veteran Jose Guereo. Jose Guereo was a
whitehaired old man, and he was 68 years old at that time. As a private
soldier, he participated in the battle of White Horse Hill during 1951 and
1952, and at that time he lost one of his legs. When he was wounded, he
was evacuated to an Army hospital in Seoul, and after a couple of months
he was sent back to Japan. A Colombian Korean War veteran Mr. Muire,
70 years old, was also present at the ceremony. When he participated in the
Korean War, he was an infantry battalion commander. He was quite
surprised at, and also was quite delighted at, the tremendous progress of
Korea for which he and his fellow soldiers had fought and died about 35
years ago during the Korean War. Besides, Former Defense Minister
General Alberto Ruiz, who had served in the Korean War as Colombian
Battalion commander, sent a message for this occasion. According to his
The 57th anniversary of the Korean War was held at Jangchung Stadium on June 25, 2007.
message, “in 1953 Korea was utterly in ruins, and there was no other nation
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part

in the world which suffered more tragic calamities of war. For the present, dispatching some 5,000 Colombian
however, Korea has become one of the most advanced countries. I would soldiers 56 years ago.” The Republic
like to express a hearty congratulation on the Korea’s economic of Korea, which had been engulfed
development.” During their two-day visit to Korea, these veterans by the “war calamities” at the time
witnessed how the old ruins of Korea around the end of the Korean War the Armistice Agreement was
had changed to a modern state of economic development. Upon witnessing signed, has now risen to become a
such a change, they were proud they did not shed their blood in vain during semi-developed country with a
the Korean War. percapita income of about $20,000.
However, the Republic of Colombia,
General Raul Martinez, General Alberto Ruiz Novoa, and which had been a leading economic
General Gabriel Bersia power in South America at the time
On March 17, 2007 at a memorial event held at the Korean War the Korean War broke out, has
Monument which was erected within the compound of the Colombian suffered a long period of internal Korean War Veterans’ Visit to Korea

Army Command and General Staff College in the City of Bogota, the 84
year old retired General Raul Martinez who was in charge of the
Association of Korean War Officer Veterans (ASCOVE) said with his eyes
filled with tears, “The country for which we heroically served during the
Korean War has now developed so much that we are too glad and too
honored for our sacrifices.” This was what General Raul Martinez said in
his address in reply to Korean National Assembly Speaker Lim Chae
Jung’s brief speech. At that time, the speaker was paying an official visit to
Colombia, and he had a chance to lay a wreath at the Korean War
Monument within the Command and General Staff College. After laying a
wreath, the speaker said in his address, “I think it is now high time for
Korea to return just part of what Korea has so far received to Colombian
people who have helped Korea to become a prosperous country by
conflicts, so that Colombia is still in a
state of a developing country with a per-capita income of less than $3,000.
At this wreath laying event, retired General Raul Martinez said in his
address, “At that time, after the U.N. Security Council resolved to dispatch
troops to Korea it did not take long for the Colombian government and
Colombian troops to respond to the call of the U.N. resolution. Colombian
soldiers were quite ready to shed their blood and to sacrifice their lives, and
they left their country and went to a country far away from their home
country not only for the freedom of South Korea but for the welfare of the
world and of all mankind.” Then, General Raul Martinez recalled, “We still
vividly remember in our minds the battle grounds of Korea. The most
unbearable difficulty was fighting in the bitter cold. Because of this bitter
cold, many soldiers lost their lives.”
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
The wreath laying event of that day started with laying a wreath by the
Speaker Lim and his party, and then followed by Korean and Colombian
national anthems along with the Military Band performance and silent
prayers, the Speaker Lim’s address, and General Martinez’s address in reply.
Present at this wreath laying event were dozens of Colombian Korean
War veterans, with the spectrum of the veterans ranging from Mr. Bejarano
who had been a rifleman at the time of the Korean War to the 93 year old
General Novoa who had been the Colombian Battalion commander at the
time of the Korean War and later became the Colombian Defense Minister.
At this occasion, General Novoa recalled, “At that time, we were attached
to the U.S. 24th Infantry Division, and fought against Chinese troops at the
battle of Geumseong. Chinese troops marched forward playing the flute or
the horn, and they conducted psychological warfare by scattering leaflets
over friendly troops during the Christmas season.” General Novoa also
added, “We fought a fierce battle for Old Baldy during the bitter cold
winter days of 1952-1953, and most of the Colombian casualties occurred
during this period.”
At this wreath laying occasion, retired General Gabriel Bersia said,
“Most of the Korean War veterans still living in Colombia will be dead in
15 years.” And then he emphasized, “By that time nothing will be left
behind, so that it is high time for Colombia and Korea to bring about
substantive cooperation. In other words, South Korea, with the twelfth
largest economy in the world, should promote investments in Colombia
and the transfer of new technologies to Colombia.” Right after the wreath
laying ceremony, the Speaker Lim had an on-the-spot Army INSIGNIA
radio interview, and in this interview he announced, “I will do my best to
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
establish a Korean War memorial monument by the first half of the next
year in the city of Cartagena where the Republic of Colombia Navy
Headquarters is located.”
An Interview with an Old Colombina Korean War Veteran
On March 22, 2007, we met an eighty year old Colombian Korean War
veteran at the Korean War Memorial Monument erected within the campus
of the Colombian Army Command and General Staff College in the City
of Bogota. The Korean government contributed this Korean War
Monument of Seokga Pagoda shape to Colombian people in 1973. The
eighty year old veteran said that he had once visited Seoul at the invitation
of the Korean government, and then he expressed his wishes as follows: “I
express my sincere respect for Korean people who, overcoming the pains
of the war, have achieved remarkable economic development. Now is the
time for Korean people to show their gratitude for their friendly nations’
sacrifice in war just in line with their economic development. We want the
Korea government to invite Colombian youths for the transfer of new
technologies to Colombia. We also want Korea’s investment increase in
Colombia and Korean businessmen’s active participation in the
development of Colombian economy.”
An Interview with an Editor of the Colombian Daily Newspaper
El Tiempo
In March 2007, a Korean War veteran who now works on the editorial
staff of the major Colombian newspaper El Tiempo in Bogota talked about
the Korean War in relation to his newspaper article on the war. “Colombia
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
President of Konkuk University Oh Myung’s Visit to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez
was the only Latin American country to participate in the Korean War as
part of the United Nations forces. A great number of Colombian people still
remember Colombia’s dispatch of troops to the Korean War, and about two
thousand veterans are still alive out of the total number of troops dispatched
to Korea. We are quite proud of our participation in the Korean War for the
peace on the Korean Peninsula. Colombian people are still very much
interested in the Korean War, so that the Korean War will be featured in our
newspaper quite in detail.” As a matter of fact, in 1953 Colombian troops
succeeded in taking Geumseong after a bloody battle of Geumseong, and
they were also engaged in a number of battles including the battles of Injae
and Yeoncheon. Then, the veteran added, “By 1954 when the withdrawal of
Colombian troops from Korea was completed, Colombian forces suffered
200 casualties including the missing, and 400 wounded in action. It was also
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
recorded that most of the Colombian casualties occurred in the bitter cold of
Korean winter when Colombian soldiers were fighting against the “human
wave” assaults of Chinese troops.”
5. Improvement and Expansion of Exchanges between
Korea and Colombia
Colombia was the only Latin American country to participate in the
Korean War. For the present, Colombia is trying to maintain traditional
friendly relations with Korea. At the same time, Colombia is also trying to
develop substantive and cooperative relations with Korea with a case-by-
case approach to the task at hand, and such a relationship is expected to
bring about practical benefits for Colombia. On the international stages
such as the United Nations, Colombia has always maintained a unitary
stance to support the standpoints of Korean government.
The diplomatic policy of Colombia is fundamentally based on
universalism and pursuit of practical, economic benefits. For this reason, in
establishing diplomatic relation with Colombia it is advised that we need to
maintain traditional friendly relations with Colombia, and at the same time
expand its scope to cover a variety of substantive and cooperative relations
in the areas of politics, economy, technology, and culture.
On August 7, 2006, President of the National Assembly Unification,
Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee Kim Won-ki attended the
inauguration ceremony of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez as
Special Envoy of President Roh Moo Hyon. After the ceremony, the
presidential envoy and Colombian President talked quite in detail about the
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
pending issue of promoting bilateral relations between the two countries.
On this occasion, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez expressed his
satisfaction with the successful cooperations between the two nations
which have been maintained since the establishment of the 1962 ROK-
Colombia diplomatic relation. Then, President Alvaro Uribe Velez told the
Colombian Foreign Minister to find, based on the traditional friendly
relations, some measures to strengthen the ROK-Colombia relations with
special emphasis on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Multilateral
Agreement on Investment (MAI) between the tow nations.
On this occasion, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez said that he
was well aware of the economic development of Korea, and that he
expressed his wish to visit Korea to share Korean experiences in economic
development, hoping that the model of Korean economic development
would set benchmarks for Colombian economy. At the same time,
Colombian president also asked South Korean President to pay a visit to
Colombia in case he has a plan to visit South America.
On October 24, 2006, President of Konkuk University Oh Myung visited
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez. At this meeting, they agreed that
the National University of Colombia and Konkuk University would
cooperate in a variety of exchange programs such as exchange of students,
a 2+2 duel degree program, exchange of faculty, and joint research. If such
an exchange program turns out to be successful, they agreed that they
would encourage other universities to participate in this program.
On April 25, 2008, the Korean National Assembly and the Congress of
Colombia agreed to expand the scope of bilateral exchange programs
through close cooperation between the two nations. Secretary-General of
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
the Korean National Assembly Kim Tae-Rang paid an official visit to
Colombia, and had a meeting with Secretary-General of Colombian Senate
Emilio Ramon Ortero Dajud.
At this meeting, Secretary-General Kim Tae-Rang expressed his regret
that Korean people do not know much about the blood-tied Republic of
Colombia. Then, Mr. Kim emphasized, with a belated sense of gratitude
toward Colombian people, the need to expand the scope of bilateral
exchange programs between the two countries.
In relation to this agreement, President Lee Myung-bak also emphasized
the need to expand the scope of bilateral exchange programs between
Korean and Colombia, and took some measures in relation to these
programs. On March 29, 2008, for instance, President Lee Myung-bak told
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kim Yang to carry out the
following instructions : (1) to establish a systematic management program
for historic sites related to the Korean War; (2) to express our gratitude
toward Korean War veterans by actively participating in Korean War
memorial ceremonies in foreign countries, including the dedication
ceremony of the Colombian Korean War Monument which will be held in
November 2008; (3) to make a substantive preparation for the 57th
anniversary of the Korean War, including the invitation of about 700
Korean War veterans from 12 countries.
As a matter of fact, the investment climate of the Republic of Colombia
has recently been greatly improved, so that Colombia has emerged as a
new, important investment market for Korean businessmen. One reason for
this attraction is Colombia’s rich natural resources. Another reason is the
fact that recently Colombian peso has been greatly revaluated, mainly due
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
and stability in Colombia.
Overview of Korea-Colombia Relations
President Lee Myung-bak and Minister of Patriots
& Veterans Affairs Kim Yang
to the stability of Colombia’s political system which has been achieved
since President Uribe took office. Through this meeting, Secretary-General
of the Korean National Assembly Kim Tae-Rang and Secretary-General of
Colombian Senate Emilio Ramon Ortero Dajud came to have a common
understanding needed to the future signing of a Protocol of Cooperation
between the two nations. After the meeting, Secretary-General Kim tried to
further consolidate the traditional friendship between the two nations by
visiting the Congress of Colombia with Colombian Senator Efrain Jorrado
Garcia.
Colombian people are currently expecting that the relationship between
the two countries should be changed from a “blood-tied ally” to that of a
“partnership” which extends its relationship to the areas of politics and
economy. More than anybody else, Colombian people want to share the
benefits of Korea’s remarkable economic development, along with peace
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
Organizations for Korea-Colombia Friendship Exchange
Korea-Colombia Friendship Association (Established in May 1966)
Korea-Colombia Parliamentarians’ Friendship Association (Established in
August 1979)
Korea-Colombia Chamber of Commerce (Established in April 1990)
Association for Foreign Industrial Trainees in Korea (Established in April 2002)
Korea-Colombia Cooperation Agreements
Korea-Columbia Cultural Exchange Agreement. July 27, 1967 (Signed), July
14, 1976 (Effective)
Korea-Columbia Visa Waiver Agreement. November 25, 1981 (Signed),
November 25, 1981 (Effective)
Korea-Columbia Agreement on Science and Technology. June 1, 1981
(Signed), February 5, 1982 (Effective)
Korea-Columbia Trade Agreement. May 31, 1985 (Signed), December 10, 1986
(Effective)
Holding Regular Trade Commission Conference for the Korea-Columbia Trade
Agreement : the 2nd Trade Commission Conference (Held in Bogota, May
2005)
First Negotiation for the Korea-Columbia Aviation Agreement (Held in Seoul.
October 2004)
First Negotiation for the Korea-Colombia Multilateral Agreement on Investment
(Held in Bogota, 2002)
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part

Korea-Colombia Cultural Exchanges

December 30, 1981. Designated State Middle and High Schools in the City of
Pena as “Korean” Schools.
June 14, 1982. Established a sisterhood relationship between the City of Seoul
and the City of Bogota.
June 1, 1983. Established a sisterhood relationship between Chosun University
and the University of Bogota.
February 1982-February 1985. Two Colombian students studied in Korea at the
invitation of the Korean Ministry of Education.
November 15, 1984. Colombian Arts and Handicrafts Exhibition was held in
Korea. Korean War Veterans’ Visit to Korea

August 1990. One Colombian students studied in Korea at the invitation of the
Korean Ministry of Education.
1990. Established a sisterhood relationship between Hankuk University of
Foreign Studies and the University of America in Bogota.
1990. Established a sisterhood relationship between Korea University and the
Javeriana University in Bogota.
June 16-20, 1997. A group of Korean traditional arts performers visited
Colombia.
August 15-20, 1997. The Gillajabi Open Theater Group of Korea participated in
the Street Festival in Bogota.
May 11-15, 1998. The Korea-Colombia Friendship Week was held in Medejin,
Colombia.
September 1-8, 2000. Korea participated in the International Festival of Cultures
in Boyaca, Colombia. (Held a photo exhibition for the 50th Anniversary of the
Korean War).
October 23-27, 2000. The Korea Week 2000 was held in Bogota, Colombia.
May 11, 2001. Jeolanamdo-Boyaca Friendship Exchange Agreement was
signed.
June 1-10, 2001. Korean poet Go Eun participated in the International Festival of
Poets in Medejin, Colombia.
August 17-September 9, 2001. The Yeolimtur Troupe had a performance tour.
(Participating in the Street Festival in Bogota.)
March, 2002. A performance group of the National Theater of Korea
participated in the Abero America Theater Festival in Bogota.
June 21-30, 2002. Poet Kim Kwang-Kyu participated in the International
Festival of Poets in Medejin, Colombia.
September 5-10, 2002. The Corps of Jeolanamdo National Classical Music
visited Colombia.
October, 2002. The Korean Film Festival Week was held in Colombia. (October
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
18-25, 2002 in Bogota; October 25-30, 2002 in Medejin)
August 27-September 17, 2003. Korean Theater Group had a performance tour
in Colombia. (Participating in the Bogota Street Festival)
Korea-Colombia Diplomatic Relations
March 10, 1962. Agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations
July 10, 1962. 1st Korean Concurrent Ambassador Jung Il Kwon(stationed in
America) presented his credentials to Colombian President.
June 11, 1964. 2nd Korean Concurrent Ambassador Park Dong Jin presented
his credentials to Colombian President.
July 9, 1964. 1st Colombian Concurrent Ambassador Enrique Molano
Campuzano presented his credentials to Korean President.
October 2, 1967. Establishment of Honorary Korean Consulate in Bogota,
Korean National Assembly Speaker Lim Chae Jung’s Laying a Wreath at the Colombian Korean War
Monument, March 2007
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
appointing Virgilio A. Olano as honorary consul.
August 7, 1969. 3rd Korean Ambassador Yoon Ju Young presented his
credentials to Colombian President.
February 24, 1969. 2nd Colombian Concurrent Ambassador Corral (stationed in
Tokyo) presented his credentials to Korean President.
October 13, 1970. 4th Korean Ambassador Kang Chun Hee presented his
credentials to Colombian President.
May 30, 1971. Dispatched 2 second secretaries including Hwang Young Jae in
preparation for the establishment of the Korean permanent mission in Colombia.
(June 10, 1971. Establishment of the Korean permanent mission in Colombia)
June 23, 1971. 3rd Colombian Concurrent Ambassador Carlos Holmes Trujillo
(stationed in Tokyo) presented his credentials to Korean President.
May 8, 1973. 4th Colombian Concurrent Ambassador Luis Gonzlez Barros
(stationed in Tokyo) presented his credentials to Korean President.
August 1973. Korean Ambassador Ahn Jin Seang presented his credentials to
Colombian President.
April 3, 1975. Korean Ambassador Ok Man Ho presented his credentials to
Colombian President.
December 11, 1978. 5th Colombian Ambassador Virgilio Olano Bustos (1st
permanent representative of Colombia) presented his credentials to Korean
President.
May 21, 1979. Korean Ambassador Ji Yeon Tae presented his credentials to
Colombian President.
July 22, 1982. 6th Colombian Ambassador Norberto Morales Ballesteros (2nd
permanent) presented his credentials to Korean President.
October 26, 1982. Korean Ambassador Lee Yong Hun presented his credentials
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part

to Colombian President.
April 12, 1984. 7th Colombian Ambassador Ramiro Zambarano (3rd
permanent) presented his credentials to Korean President.
November 11, 1985. Korean Ambassador Park Geon Woo presented his
credentials to Colombian President.
May 3, 1988. Korean Ambassador Ahn Young Chul presented his credentials to
Colombian President.
July 1989. 8th Colombian Ambassador Virgilio Alfredo Olano Bustos (4th
permanent) presented his credentials to Korean President.
September 6, 1991. Korean Ambassador Jang Myong Ha presented his
credentials to Colombian President. Secretary General of the Korean National Assembly Kim Tae-Rang’s Visit to
Secretary General of Colombian Senate Emilio Ramon Ortero Dajud, April 2008
January 20, 1992. 9th Colombian Ambassador Miguel Durn Ordez (5th
permanent) presented his credentials to Korean President.
April 14, 1994. Korean Ambassador Jo Gap Dong presented his credentials to credentials to Korean President.
Colombian President. April 24, 2006. Korean Ambassador Song Gi Do presented his credentials to
July 7, 1995. Establishment of Korean Honorary Embassy in Medellin Colombian President.
(Honorary Ambassador, Justo Pastor Guarn)
October 3, 1996. Korean Ambassador Lee Jeong Su presented his credentials to Korea-Colombia High-Level Personnel Visits

Colombian President. >>Korean High-Level Visitors to Colombia

October 9, 1998. Korean Ambassador Kim Seung Young presented his
credentials to Colombian President.
August 24, 2000. Korean Ambassador Won Jong Chan presented his
credentials to Colombian President.
August 13, 2003. Korean Ambassador Park Sang Kyun presented his
credentials to Colombian President.
June 2, 2004. 10th Colombian Ambassador Jorge Enrique Mora presented his
August 1970. Dispatch of Special Envoy Yang Yu Chan to President M.
Pastrana’s Inauguration
March 1977. Dispatch of Special Envoy Bae Eui Hwan to the Dedication
Ceremony of the Colombian Korean War Monument
August 5-10, 1978. Dispatch of Special Envoy Kim Jong Pil to Colombia
January 20-24, 1981. Dispatch of Special Envoy Go Jae Pil to President
Turbay’s Inauguration
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
August 5-9, 1982. Dispatch of Presidential Envoy, Minister of Agriculture and
Forestry Jeong Jong Taek, to Colombia
December 6-10, 1982. Dispatch of Special Envoy, Minister of State for Political
Affairs Oh Sae Eung, to President Betancur’s Inauguration
April 11-13, 1983. Prime Minister Kim Sang Hyup’s Official Visit to Colombia
August 31-September 3, 1983. Vice Minister of Energy and Resources Choi
Dong Kyu’s Attendance at the 3rd Meeting of the Korea-Colombia Natural
Resources Cooperation Committee
December 13-16, 1983. Representative of the Minjeongdang Jin Eui Jong’s Visit
to Colombia
September 9-11, 1984. Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection Jeong
Hee Taek’s Visit to Colombia
August 5-8, 1986. President of Korea Saemaul Undong Center Jeon Kyeong
Hwan’s Official Visit to Colombia
May 3-6, 1987. Dispatch of Special Envoy, Deputy Prime Minister Kim Man-
Jae, to President Barco’s Inauguration
July 5-9, 1989. Dispatch of Special Envoy Jeong Kwan Yong to Colombia
August 5-9, 1990. Dispatch of Special Envoy Kang Kyung Sik to Colombia
February 9-12, 1992. Dispatch of Special Envoy, ex-Prime Minister Lho Shin-
yong, to President Caviria’s Inauguration
July 3-6, 1994. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Sang Ok’s attendance at the
UNCTAD General Assembly in Colombia
August 5-8, 1994. Dispatch of Special Envoy Hong Soon Young to Colombia
February 21-23, 1995. Dispatch of Special Envoy, Minister of State for Political
Affairs Seo Cheong-Won, to President Samper’s Inauguration
December 5-6, 1996. Dispatch of Special Envoy Park Kwan Yong to Colombia
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
January 9-12, 1997. Vice Minister of Information and Communications Lee
Gyae Chul’s Official Visit to Colombia
June 2-4, 1997. National Assembly Vice Speaker Oh Sae Eung’s Official Visit
to Colombia
May 16-23, 1998. Dispatch of Special Envoy Kim Kwang Il to Colombia
August 6-8, 1998. Ambassador to the United Nations Lee Si-Young’a
attendance at the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in
Colombia
January 12-14, 1999. Dispatch of Special Envoy, President of the Korean Red
Cross Jeong Won-Sik, to President Pastrana’s Inauguration
August 23-25, 1999. Assemblymen Seo Jeong-Hwa, Kim Ok-Doo, Ham Seok-
Jae’s Official Visit to Colombia
December 3-4, 2000. National Assembly Vice Speaker Kim Bong-Ho’s Official
Visit to Colombia
March 20-21, 2001. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ban Ki-moon’s Official
Visit to Colombia
May 10-13, 2001. The Korean National Assembly Delegation’s (Assemblymen
Park Ju-Chan, Lee Hun-Pyong, Lim Jin-Chul, Ahn Dae Ryun) Visit to
Colombia.
June 19-21, 2001. Governor of Jeollanam-do Province Heo Kyong-Man’s Visit
to Colombia for the Support of the Yeosu World Expo
October 7-9, 2001. Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations
Hwang Du-Yeon’s Visit to Colombia for the Support of the Yeosu World Expo
December 11-13, 2001. Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Hong Seung-
Yong’s Visit to Colombia for the Support of the Yeosu World Expo
August 5-8, 2002. National Assembly Observation Mission’s(Vice-President
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part

Kim Jong-Ha, Assemblymen Yoon Han-Do, Go Heung-Gil, Kang Seong-Gu)
Visit to Colombia
September 5-10, 2002. Dispatch of Special Envoy, National Assemblyman
Jeong Dae-Chul, to President Uribe’s Inauguration
October 15-17, 2002. Governor of Jeollanam-do Province Park Tae-Young’s
Visit to Colombia for the Support of the Yeosu World Expo
October 31-November 1, 2002. Dispatch of Presidential Envoy, Minister of
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Kim Ho-Sik, to Colombia for the Support of the
Yeosu World Expo
January 15-16, 2003. National Assembly Observation Mission’s(Assemblymen
Lee Jeong-Il, Chun Yong-Taek, Heo Un-Na) Visit to Colombia
November 6-7, 2003. Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Shin Eon Hang’s
Visit to Colombia
May 11-13, 2006. Commissioner of the Korea Financial Intelligence
Unit(KOFIU) Kim Byung-Ki’s Visit to Colombia for the MOU Signing with the
Colombian FIU
August 5-8, 2006. National Assembly Ethics Commi-ttee’s(Assemblymen Kim
Won-Ung, Joo Ho-Young, Han Kwang-Ho) Visit to Colombia
August 23-25, 2006. Dispatch of Special Envoy, President of the National
Assembly Unification, Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee Kim Won-Ung, to
President Uribe’s Inauguration
August 20-24, 1985. Senator Lilian Sarmiento de Santamaria’s Visit to Korea
December 9-13, 1985. Former Colombian President Julio Cesar Turbay’s Visit
to Korea
May 12, 1986. President of the University of America Antonio Cardona’s Visit
to Korea
May 14-23, 1986. Vice Foreign Minister Ester Lozano de Rey’s Visit to Korea
June 11-13, 1986. Speaker of the Colombian House of Representatives Miguel
Pinedo Vidal’s Visit to Korea
June 12-15, 1986. Minister of Economic Development Gustavo Castro’s Visit to
Korea
June 30-July 4, 1986. Vice Speaker of the Colombian House of Representatives
Joaquin Franco Burgos’s Visit to Korea
November 23-December 3, 1986. Commissioner of Industrial Development
Center Sergio Restrepo Londono’s Visit to Korea (Attending the KDI Meeting)
February 24-28, 1987. Dean of College of History Antinio Cauca’s Visit to
Korea
September 2-20, 1987. Colombian President
Barco’s State Visit to Korea
December 1988. Minister of Economic
Development Char’s Visit to
Korea

>>Colombian High-Level Visitors to Korea

February 3-9, 1985. Senator Alvaro Gomez Hurtado’s Visit to Korea In July 2008, mayor of Incheon
Metropolitan City, Colombian
April 7-13, 1985. Senator Miguel Santamaria’s Visit to Korea ambassador Jorge Enrique Mora, and
other celebrities participated in the
memorial event for the Colombian
May 30-June 2, 1985. Foreign Minister Augusto Ramiraz Ocampo’s Visit to Korea Korean War veterans.
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
Colombian juridical person for Samsung, Jin Yongju,
announces Samsung’s plan to establish “High-Tech Schools” in Colombia
June 16-21, 1988. Senator Tito Edmundo Rueda and His Party’s Visit to Korea
April 17-22, 1990. Speaker of the Colombian House of Representatives Roberto
M. Ballesteros’s Visit to Korea
January 22-25, 1991. Chief Editor of the Colombian New Agency Colprensa
Vargas Galvis’s Visit to Korea
November 1993. Presidential Candidate Ernesto Samper Pizano’s Visit to Korea
February 1-August 1, 1995. Executive of Foreign Affairs Ministry Gabriel
Cardona’s Visit to Korea
March 29-April 1, 1995. Vice President Humberto de la Calle’s Visit to Korea
May 21-28, 1995. Chief Editor of the El Espectado Juan Pablo Ferro Casas’
Visit to Korea
July 5-9, 1995. Speaker of the Colombian Senate Juan Guillermo Angel’s Visit to Korea
October 24-26, 1996. Colombian President Ernesto Samper Pizano’s State Visit
to Korea
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
October 29-November 2, 1996. Colombian Congressman Emilio Martinez
Rosales’ Visit to Korea
January 26-February, 1997. Minister of Mines and Energy Orlando Cabrales’
Visit to Korea
February 10-11, 1997. Colombian Finance Minister Jose Antonio Ocampo’s
Visit to Korea
May 19-25, 1997. Former Army Chief of Staff Valencia’s Visit to Korea
April 9-15, 1997. Vice Speaker of the Colombian Senate Maria Cleofe
Martinez’s attendance at the 1997 IPU General Assembly
May 20-21, 1997. Minister of Mines and Energy Rodrigo Villamizar’s Visit to
Korea
January 6-10, 1998. Speaker of the Colombian Senate Amylkar Acosta’s
attendance at the 6th APPF General Assembly
August 5-7, 1998. Delegation of COLCIENCIAS’ (Colombian Institute for the
Development of Science and Technology) Visit to Korea
January 7-10, 1999. Speaker of Colombian House of Representatives Emilio
Sanchez’s Visit to Korea
August 21-26, 2001. Chairman of Colombian National Statistics Office Eulalia
Arteta’s Attendance at the 53rd International Statistics Conference
September 23-27, 2001. Vice Minister of Economic Development Luis Carlos
Ramirez’s Attendance at the 14th World Tourism Organization General
Assembly
October 21-27, 2001. Vice Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection Jose
Felix Lafaurie’s Attendance at the 17th INTOSAI General Assembly
May 30-June 2, 2002. Minister of Economic Development E. Pizano’s Visit to
Korea
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part

October 9-15, 2002. Presidential Advisor F. Echeverri’s Visit to Korea
November 10-13, 2002. Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco’s Visit to
Korea
January 3-9, 2003. Chairman of the Colombian Senate Foreign Relations
Committee Enrique Gomez’s Visit to Korea
August 21-26, 2003. Chairman of Colombian Export Promotion Board Luis
Plata’s Visit to Korea, Leading Textiles Trade Delegation
October 29-November 1, 2003. Tax Policy and Credit Card Market Observation
Mission’s Visit to Korea, Including Commissioner of Colombian Customs
Mario Aranguren, Chairman of Colombian Bank Federation Patricia Cardenas,
and Colombian Congressmen
better than those of Janapese companies such as Sony and Panasonic.
LG Electronics is currently launching its “surgical operation project for the
harelipped” in Colombia.
Samsung Electronics is launching a support project for Colombian Olympic
athletes.
Korea Companies in Colombia
- Local Corporation in Colombia : Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics
- Branch Office : Hyundai Corporation, Doosan Heavy Industries
- Dealership : Hyundai Cars, KIA Cars, SSangYong Cars, GM Daewoo Cars
Korea-Colombia Economic Relations

May 2005. Minister of Information and Communications Martha de Harta’s >>Korea’s Trade Volumes with colombia
Visit to Korea (unit: thousand dollars)

Year Export Increase(%) Import Increase(%) Balance

2001 226,147 12.4 42,271 -20.1 183,876
Korea-Colombia Economic and Trade Relations
2002 272,185 20.4 48,905 15.7 223,280
In the 1990s Korean companies began to take roots in Colombia, At that time 2003 296,559 9.0 76,143 55.7 220,416
2004 459,477 54.9 106,339 39.7 353,138
Japanese companies withdrew from Colombia due to Colombian internal
2005 623,601 35.9 136,795 28.6 468,806
conflict and insecurity.
By the end of 2003, Samsung and LG Electronics beat Japanese companies such
as Sony and Panasonic in the Colombian electronics, information and >>Increase in Trade Volumes vs. Trade Imbalance
communications markets. From this time on, Korea-Colombia trade volume Colombian export items for Korean markets include just a couple of products
surged 50~60% annually. such as coffee and ferronickel, while Korean export items for Colombian
Currently, major trade items between Korea and Colombia have expanded to markets include a wide variety of products ranging from cars to electronics,
include automobiles, credit card terminals, electronics transportation cards, petrochemical, communications, and plastic products. Such a trend is the major
Internet peripherals, and so on. cause of trade imbalance between the two countries.
Currently in Colombia, the status and reputation of Korean companies are much The trade imbalance between Korea and Colombia is primarily based on the
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
structural factors of industries, so that the imbalance is not to be solved
dramatically in a short period of time.
The trade imbalance between the two countries, plus the pressures from
Colombian manufacturers, continue to press the Colombian government to
impose import restrictions on Korean products.
>>Korea’s Major Trade Items with Colombia
Korea’s Export Items to Colombia: Automobiles and Auto Parts, Petrochemical
Products, Electric Home Appliances, Wireless Communication Devices, Textile
Goods, Plastic Products, etc.
Korea’s Import Items from Colombia: Coffee, Iron-Steel Products, Precious
Metals, Leather Goods, Fur Products, etc.
>>Joint Venture Investments in Colombia
Current Status
- Local Sales Corporation : Samsung Electric Home Appliances, LG
Electronics, GM Daewoo Automobiles, Daewoo Electronics
- Branch Office : Daewoo Heavy Industries
- Others : Three fishery companies are engaged in shrimp fishing at the
city of Cartagena.(Total number of ships is 11, with each ship about 100
tons in size; the crew is composed of 37 Korean and 14 Chinese.)
Prospects
- On a long-term basis, Korean companies are currently considering to
make venture investments in Colombia in such fields as communicat-
ions industry, car assembly, chemistry and processing, power plants,
and elevator production.
Friendly Relationship between ROK and Colombia after the Korean War 06 Part
Korean Residents in Colombia
>>Korean Society in Colombia
Korean Society in Colombia was established in the early 1970s, with students
studying abroad and instructors of Taekwondo forming the main body of the
Korean Society in Colombia.
The estimated number of Korean residents in Colombia is about 600, forming a
very small ethnic group mainly due to the internal insecurities of Colombia.
Most of Korean residents live in the city of Bogota.
About 80% of the total Korean residents in Colombia live in Bogota.
Most of Korean residents are engaged in importing clothes or clothes sale.
For more details, refer to the Korean Society home-page(www.hancol.org).
>>Recent Korean Arrivals and Departures
In the year 2000 : 2,260 Koreans
In the year 2001 : 2,122 Koreans
In the year 2002 : 2,265 Koreans
As of November 10, 2003 : 1,671 Koreans
Colombia-North Korea Relations
On October 24, 1998, Colombia established diplomatic relations with North
Korea, but did not allow establishing the North Korean permanent mission in
Colombia.
The Colombian ambassador to North Korea is the concurrent ambassador to the
Republic of China.
The North Korean ambassador to Colombia is the concurrent ambassador to the
Republic of Peru.
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War

There is not any substantive cooperations between Colombia and North Korea.
During October 8-10, 2003, Jang Woong, North Korean IOC member as well as
Chairman of International Taekwondo Federation, visited Colombia.

07
Prospects for the ROK-Colombia
Relationship in the 21st Century

A History of Colombian Forces’
Participation in the Korean War
07 Prospects for the ROK-Colombia
Relationship in the 21st Century
The Republic of Colombia, the only Latin American country to
participate in the Korean War, has traditionally been maintaining friendly
relations with Korea ever since its involvement in the Korean War. As of
2005, Korea’s trade volumes with Colombia reached more than 760
million US dollars(export $620 million, import $140 million), and more
than 600 Koreans are currently living in Colombia. For the present, both
Korea and Colombia are trying their best to promote close and cooperative
relations in a variety of areas such as international affairs, economy,
commerce, and cultural affairs.
Recently, the Republic of Colombia has devoted a lot of efforts to
achiever its goal of internal security and economic development, and their
efforts bore fruits. When compared to the situations at the time of President
Alvaro Uribe Velez’s inauguration, for instance, the number of guerrilla
groups in Colombia has presently decreased by 40%, so that internal
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
security has been greatly improved. Besides, Colombia has not only
achieved a rate of 5.0 percent in economic growth during this period, but
Colombia’s foreign investment is steadily increasing since President Alvaro
Uribe Velez’s inauguration.
Korean National Assembly Speaker Lim Chae Jung’s Laying a
Wreath at the Colombian Korean War Monument, March 2007
Prospects for the ROK-Colombia Relationship in the 21st Century 07 Part
For the present, we are witnessing a very rapid change not only in global
environment but also in such areas as politics, economy, society, culture,
and arts. Due to such a rapid change, international cooperations and
exchanges of cultures are expected to be expanded and strengthened in the
21st century. In the area of politics, the age of multipolarized world politics
is now emerging, so that in the future the roles of international cooperative
organizations, rather than individual nations, will be more important to
catch up with the current trends toward globalization. Seen from the
standpoints of local and global economy, the importance of information
and knowledge industries will be increased, and the role of multinational
enterprises will be more important. At the same time, in the future more
attention will be focused on cultural industries.
In accordance with such an overall trend of the 21st century, the role of
culture is expected to be of great importance in the economic sector. In the
social sector, the society will be increasingly pluralized, and with this
increasing trend of social specialization occupations will be diversified and
the middle class in the social strata will be expanded. In our daily life, more
attention will be focused on culture and arts, with people’s satisfaction and
happiness in life depending much more on culture and arts rather than on
material things. At the same time, people’s tastes for culture will be greatly
diversified. Because of these changes in our everyday life, the 21st century
is often defined as “the age of culture.”
Seen from this context of globalization and diversification, the future of
Korea-Colombia relationship is expected to be greatly expanded and
strengthened. One good example can be found in the statement of
Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos, which he mentioned when
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
Korean National Assembly Speaker Lim Chae Jung visited him on August
15, 2006. On this occasion, Vice President Francisco Santos told the
Assembly Speaker Lim that Colombia has a strong will to increase
economic exchange and cooperation with Korea.
To be more specific, Vice President Francisco Santos said, “For
Colombia, Korea is one of the most important countries in Asia, and the
Republic of Colombia sincerely want to conclude a Free Trade
Agreement(FTA) with Korea.” And then he added, “One of the major
projects which will be carried out during the second term of President
Alvaro Uribe Velez is to conclude a Free Trade Agreement between Korea
and Colombia. As will be seen in Colombia’s Free Trade Agreements with
the United States and European countries, the Uribe Government has
consistently adopted an open-door policy in economic and foreign
relations. From now on, Colombia plans to play a much more active role in
strengthening relations with Asian countries, including Korea.”
In his talk with the Assembly Speaker Lim, Vice President Francisco
Santos went on to say, “The Republic of Colombia, the only Latin
American country to participate in the Korean War, shares a special
relationship with Korea.” Upon mentioning such a special relationship, the
vice president emphasized as follows: “In the 21st century, both Korea and
Colombia will surely build up a true partnership on matters of politics,
economy, culture, and national defense.” He then added, “Ever since
President Alvaro Uribe has waged a strong campaign against organized
guerrilla groups in Colombia, the internal security of Colombia has been
remarkably improved. As a result, it is our hope that Korea, with its twelfth
largest economy in the world, would increase its investments in Colombia
Prospects for the ROK-Colombia Relationship in the 21st Century 07 Part
in the future.”
After this remark, Vice President Francisco Santos went on to elaborate a
little more on the reasons for Alvaro Uribe’s winning the last presidential
election as follows: “During President Alvaro Uribe’s first term of
presidency, the Colombian economic growth rate has risen from 1% to 5%,
while its unemployment rate fell from 17% to 11%. Besides, not only
foreign investments in Colombia have been greatly increased during this
period, but Colombian economy has shown a sign of gradual recovery. For
these reasons, President Alvaro Uribe could win the last election for his
second term of presidency.”
For the promotion of Turkey-Korea economic cooperation, a variety of
approaches are recommended. The existing program of holding trade fairs
and sending trade delegates is one method. Together with this program,
industrial exhibitions and joint researches on the fields of common interest
are also recommended. Such an approach is expected to open up new fields
of interest and share strategic research work for building a better
environment of economic relationship. This approach is also expected to
Kim Won Choul, CEO of Korea HWASUNG Electricity Co., LTD., concludes an MOU with a Colombian
representative for exporting Korean products.
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War

increase exchanges of necessary information and chances of contact

between businesses and economic organizations of both countries.
Besides these economic cooperations, an extensive program of cultural
exchanges between the two nations is also required, with its objective
orienting toward mutual understanding of each country’s cultural life. In
order to achieve such a goal, sociocultural exchanges and cooperations
between Colombia and Korea should be carried out, based on the two
countries’ existing framework of relationship. So far, Colombia and Korea
have maintained friendly relationship, and it seems that in the future there
08
will not be any significant change in such a relationship. Besides, the
sociocultural exchanges between the two countries have so far been greatly Participation and Support of the
influenced by the relative degree of political and economic relationships UN Forces
between the two nations. For a closer political and economic cooperation
between the two nations, however, a substantial degree of sociocultural
exchanges and cooperations needs to be strengthened in the future.
What is more important, the sociocultural exchanges and cooperations
between Colombia and Korea should be promoted from a more future-
oriented point of view. Accordingly, a variety of projects need to be
continuously developed step by step in such important activities as joint
program developments for the two nations, establishment of culture fund
for cultural cooperation between the two countries, establishment of inter-
collegiate sisterhood relationships, and exchange programs for young
people.

A History of Colombian Forces’
Participation in the Korean War
08 Participation and Support of the UN Forces
1. Background of UN Forces’ Participation
The scale of the troops and supplies sent by the US for the Korean War
was of course overwhelming compared to that of other countries. Because
of the overwhelming American scale of troops and arms and logistic
support, the US took the initiative in making operational decisions for the
UN forces. When the UN Secretary General took into consideration the
urgent situations developing in Korea and urged the UN member nations to
send troops to the Korean front on July 14, 1950, the number of participant
nations greatly increased. However, most of the nations who promised to
send troops were situated geographically too far away from Korea, so that it
took them more than two months for their troops to arrive in Korea.
Excluding the US, the first to promise military support was the British
Commonwealth. The United Kingdom notified that they would send a
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War

Naval special task force, and on 29 July Australia expressed their intention
to send the naval and air elements. The Netherlands proposed a support of
destroyers, and Taiwan promised the support of ground troops. However,
the United States refused to accept the proposal of Taiwan for political and
defense reasons. If Taiwan dispatched troops to Korea, the US was afraid
that the defense capabilities of Taiwan would be greatly weakened.
As member nations of NATO, England, France, the Netherlands,
Belgium, and Luxembourg took strict precaution against the Soviet’s desire
to control Europe. These countries believed that the US should take on a
bigger role in NATO since the end of World War II, so that, when the
Korean War broke out, they decided to fight with the US against North
Korea with an expectation that, when they fight for the US, the US would
make a substantial contribution to NATO in return.
Canada, member nation of NATO and neighboring country of the US,
judged that behind the North’s invasion of South Korea there was Soviet’s Australia and New Zealand were cautious about communists’ expansion
desire of expansion. For this reason, Canada also decided to take part in the in the region of South East Asia. They also believed that fighting against
war in order to help deter the Soviet’s expansion, and to reinforce alliances the communists in Korea under the UN flag would be the best way to deter
between allied nations including the United States. the expansion of communism.
Turkey and Greece were under constant pressure from those communist Compared with Australia and New Zealand, the Philippines and
powers along the Balkan Peninsular and the Dardanelles Straits, and the Thailand felt the threat of communists more seriously mainly due to their
Soviet Union was supporting these communist powers. Under such a geographical positions. At the time of the Korean War, the Vietnamese
circumstance, Turkey and Greece were getting help from the United States communists were expanding their powers with the support of China, and
in order to protect themselves from those communist powers. At the time the communist rebel groups in the Philippines intensified their subversive
of the Korean War, these two countries hoped that by aiding the UN in activities during this period of time. In other words, the communist
cutting off the expansion of communism in the Asian region, they would be activities in Vietnam and the Philippines created a strong sense of threat in
able to get more military support from the US. the minds of people living in the Philippines and Thailand.
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
Those countries located far away from Korea such as Ethiopia, the
Republic of South Africa, and Columbia in South America also
participated in the Korean War. When they decided to help Koreans in the
war, these countries put more significance in the role the UN activities than
in deterring communism.
Most countries who joined the UN forces during the Korean War were
worried about the expansion of communism around them, and they saw the
North’s invasion of South Korea as a stepping stone for a more serious
communist threat in the future.
2. Major Activities of the United Nations
The United States of America
The US military forces were several times bigger than those of the other
UN member nations combined together both in the number of troops and in
Task Force Smith of the US 24th Division Bombing by US Air Force
Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part
combat power. The US Army sent the 24th Division, the 25th Division, the
1st Armored Division, the 2nd Division, the 3rd Division, the 7th Division,
the 1st Marine Division, the 40th Division, and the 45th Division a total
of 9 divisions, 2 battle regiments, and numerous supporting units.
During the three years of the Korean War, the US deployed 300,000
troops at its peak. In 1952 when the number of the UN forces reached the
peak, 50% of the ground troops were the ROK forces, 40% were the US
forces, and 10% were the forces of other UN member nations. It can also
be said that most of military operations executed during the war were
carried out by the US military forces. The role the US military forces
played during the war was quite a decisive one, and the number of military
operations the US military forces executed were too extensive to be
counted one by one.
As for the US naval activities, the 7th Fleet under command of the Far
East Naval Force took charge of most naval operations. For these
operations, a variety of US naval vessels were employed such as aircraft
carriers, destroyers, cruisers, warships, submarines, and supporting vessels.
The US Navy succeeded in blocking up North Korean coast on July 4,
1950, 10 days after the outbreak of the Korean War, and since then on
secured the command of the sea. Later on, the US Navy came to play an
important role in turning the war situations to our advantage with such
diverse military activities as air strikes, bombardment from naval guns,
transporting troops and other supplies from the US. Particularly in
operations of landing at Incheon and withdrawing from Heungnam, the US
Navy demonstrated their highly skilled battle capabilities.
As for the US Air Force, the 5th Air Force and the Strategic Bombing
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Command, under command of the Far East Air Force, operated air strikes
<table 8-2> Major Equipment of the US Forces
to drain up the battle capabilities of the communist forces, and executed
Aircrafts
Division Tanks Warships
close air support operations to help the UN ground troops to carry out their Air Force Marine/Navy
duties more successfully. The US Air Force inflicted heavy losses on both Quantity 777 1,838 564 5
North Korean and Chinese forces during the war, so that it was the most
frightening entity to communists from the start of the war to the end. (Unit : person)
<table 8-3> Casualties of the US Forces(as of 1954)

Service Sub-Total Dead Wounded Missing POW

<table 8-1> Participation of the US Forces Total 523,083 54,246 468,659 739 4,439
Service Unit Period Remarks Army 484,762 37,133 442,971 664 3,944
Navy 6,130 4,501 1,576 22 31
8th Army HQ 1950. 7 ~
Air Force 7,725 7,084 368 53 220
1st Corps. 1950. 9 ~
Marine 29,466 5,528 23,744 - 194
9th Corps. 1950. 9 ~ 1954. 8
10th Corps. 1950. 9 ~ 1954. 4
st
1 armored division 1950. 7 ~ 1951.12 2nd deploy in 1957. 10
nd
2 division 1950. 7 ~ 1954. 9 2nd deploy in 1965. 7
3rd division 1950.11 ~ 1954. 1
Army
7th division 1950. 9 ~ 1971. 4
th
24 division 1950. 7 ~ 1952. 1 Move to Japan
1953. 7 ~ 1957.10 2nd sending
25th division 1950. 7 ~ 1954.10
40th division 1952. 1 ~ 1954. 3
45th division 1951.12 ~ 1954. 5
1st Marine division 1950. 9 ~ 1955. 3
Far East Navy 1950. 7 ~ 1953. 7
th
7 Fleet 1950. 7 ~ 1953. 7
Navy
90th Maneuvering Forces 1950. 6 ~ 1953. 11
95th Maneuvering Forces 1950. 6 ~ 1953. 7
Far East Air Force 1950. 6 ~ 1953. 7
Air Force
5th Air Force 1950. 6 ~ 1954. 6
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Major Battle of the US Forces

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom dispatched
the second largest number of troops
to Korea. The participation of the
United Kingdom was done before
the UN forces were established. The
British Army first sent the 27th
Brigade which was activated with
two battalions from Hongkong and
other supporting units, and upon
arrival in Korea the brigade was
immediately committed to the battle
of the Nakdong Bulge. Later on, the
27th Brigade took part in advancing
northward to the Yalu River. And
later the United Kingdom dispatched one more brigade, the 29th Brigade.
The 29th Brigade suffered a lot of casualties at the battle of Seolmari near
the Imjin River when China launched the 5th phase of attack. Despite these
sacrifices, the 29th Brigade made a great contribution to the operations of
the US Eight Army. To be more specific, on April 22, 1951, when the
defense line of the ROK 1st Division broke down, the Gloucester Battalion
of 29th Brigade on the right of the ROK 1st Division suffered a lot of
casualties. Despite these casualties, however, the 29th Brigade held the
Seolmari area for three days, so that the brigade was able to save allied
units on both sides of the area.
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

<table 8-4> Participation of the UK Forces

Unit Period Remarks

1st division of British Commonwealth 1953. 7~ established at DeokJung
27th division 1950. 8~1951. 4 renamed to the 28th brigade
28th brigade 1951. 4~1953. 3
29th brigade 1950. 11~
1st battalion of Middlesex brigade 1950. 8~1951. 5 assigned to 27th brigade
1st battalion of argyll and sutherland 1950. 8~1951. 4 assigned to 27th brigade
higlanders brigade
1st battalion of Royal Northumberland 1950.11~ assigned to 29th brigade
fusiliers brigade
1st battalion of Gloucester brigade 1950.11~ assigned to 29th brigade
1st battalion of Royal Ulster Fifles brigade 1950.11~ assigned to 29th brigade
1st battalion of King’s own scottish 1951. 4~ assigned to 28th brigade
borderers brigade
1st battalion of King’s Shropshire Light 1951. 5~1952. 9 assigned to 28th brigade
As more troops of the British Common-wealth came in on July 28, 1951, infantry brigade
these units were organized into the 1st Commonwealth Division. This 1st battalion of Royal Norfolk brigade 1951.10~1952.11 assigned to 28th brigade
1st battalion of Leicestershire brigade 1951.10~1952. 6 assigned to 28th brigade
Division was made up of the units from 6 countries: United Kingdom,
1st battalion of Welch brigade 1951.11~1952.11 assigned to 29th brigade
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Belgium, and Luxem-burg. Such a
1st battalion of Black Watch brigade 1952. 6~1953. 7 assigned to 29th brigade
composition was quite unique in the military history of the world. 1st battalion of Royal Fusiliers brigade 1952. 8~1953. 8
On June 29, 1950, the UK Navy sent one aircraft carrier, two cruisers, 1st battalion of Duham light infantry brigade 1952. 9~1953. 9 assigned to 28th brigade
two destroyers, and three frigates, and helped the US naval operations on 1st battalion of King’s Liverpool brigade 1952. 9~1953.10 assigned to 29th brigade

the East Sea. Later, a total of about 17,000 Navy soldiers of the UK 1st battalion of Duke of Welington brigade 1952.10~1953.11 assigned to 29th brigade
1st battalion of Royal Scots brigade 1953. 7~unknown
participated in the Korean War, and 50 British warships took turns to carry
1st battalion of Essex brigade 1953. 8~
out naval operations until the end of the war.
1st battalion of Royal Warwickshire brigade 1953. 9~
1st battalion of King’s own royal brigade 1953.10~
1st battalion of North Staffordshire brigade 1953.11~
Turkey
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Major Battles of the United Kingdom Forces

<table 8-5> Major Equipment of UK Forces

Name of Warship
Aircraft Triumph, Ocean, Theseus, Glory, Unicorn
Carrier
Cruiser Belfast, Jamaica, Ceylon, Kenya, Newcastle, Birmingham
Destroyer Cossack, Consort, Comus, Concord, Constance, Cockade, Charty

Mounts Bay, Morecambe, Black Swan, Whitesand Bay, Carddigan Bay,

Frigate
St. Brides Bay, Alarcrity, Modeste, Hart, Sparrow, Crane, Amethyst

Maine(hospital boat), Tyne(supply ship), Ladybird(headquarter ship),

Etc.
Subsidiary headquarter ships

<table 8-6> Casualties of the UK Forces (Unit : person)

Sub-Total Dead Wounded POW
Total 4,731 1,078 2,674 979
Army 4,521 977 2,589 955
Navy 67 44 19 4
Marines 115 30 66 19
Air Force(ship plane) 28 27 - 1
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Excepting the United States and the United Kingdom, Turkey and Afterwards, whenever they were engaged in battles, the brigade
Canada were the only two countries that dispatched brigade-level units. demonstrated a strong will to fight as well as the Turkish forces’ solidarity.
Turkey once announced that they would remain neutral in the The Turkish Brigade took part in Operation Wolfhound and Operation
international affairs. By the end of World War II, however, Turkey took on Thunderbolt conducted by the US forces. Of course, the Turkish Brigade
a pro-west political policy, and, right after the outbreak of the Korean War, suffered casualties in these operations, but they inflicted 10 times more
supported wholeheartedly the UN resolution of military support for Korea. casualties on the enemy. Such a victory contributed a lot to giving a boost
What’s more, Turkey took immediate measures to dispatch more than to the UN forces.
4,500 troops to Korea, receiving welcome from the UN members. During the joint operations with the US forces, the Turkish Brigade had
The Turkish Brigade that was dispatched to Korea was mainly the Turkish to go through a lot of difficulties. Among those difficulties, the
Army units, and included in the brigade were such branches as infantry, communication problem was the most serious one, particularly when the
engineering, transportation, medical corps, and ordnance. Thus, the brigade battle situations changed rapidly and inaccurate interpretations brought
could conduct its own independent operations. During the 2nd phase of grave losses to them.
Chinese attack in November 1950, the
Turkish Army took part in Gunwuri <table 8-7> Participation of the Turkish Forces
Battle as a right-wing of the US 2nd Unit Period Remarks
Division, and in this battle suffered st
1 brigade 1950. 9~1951. 8 assigned to the US 25th division
nd
2 brigade 1951. 8~1952. 8 assigned to the US 25th division
heavy casualties. Particularly impressive
3rd brigade 1952. 8~1953. 9 assigned to the US 25th division
in the battle was the Turkish soldiers’
bravery; when they were on the point of
<table 8-8> Casualties of the Turkish Forces (Unit : person)
capture by the enemy they refused to
Sub Total Dead Wounded Missing POW
become prisoners and attacked forward Total 3,623 721 2,147 175 234
with their bayonets fixed. Officer 157 37 81 3 6
Army Noncom 138 26 66 1 3
Soon after Kunuri Battle, the Turkish
Soldier 3,328 658 2,000 171 225
Brigade recovered from the loss they
suffered at Kunuri, and the brigade was
assigned to the US 25th Division.
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Major Battles of the Turkish Forces

Canada
A neighboring country to America and a member nation of NATO,
Canada apprehended that behind the North’s invasion of South Korea there
was lurking the Soviet’s desire of expansion. For this reason, Canada
announced that the North Korea’s invasion should be repelled with
combined efforts of the UN nations. Five days after the war broke out, the
House of the Commons of Canadian government came to an unanimous
agreement on helping Korea, saying that “we would give full support to
any of the Canadian government’s measures taken to demonstrate the
efficiency of the collective security.”
On this day, the Prime Minister Luis Roland also said that “we should
take collective security actions under the UN authority.”
Canada sent a brigade-level military forces as Turkey did. In mid-
February 1951, the 2nd Battalion(PPCLI) was the first unit committed to
Korea, and upon arrival in Korea the battalion was engaged in war as part
of the 27th Commonwealth Brigade. The 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade
sailed for Korea in April 1951 and came into the line towards the end of
May. Upon arrival in Korea, the 25th Brigade was deployed as a unit of the
newly established 1st Division of British Commonwealth.
In matters of military doctrine, the Canadian armed forces had much in
common with the British armed forces, and unlike the Turkish soldiers the
Canadian soldiers didn’t have any communication problems at the Korean
front. The 2nd Battalion of the Canadian forces played a big role in
blocking the Chinese attack at the battle of Kapyong, demonstrating its
excellent combat capabilities and its strong will to fight.
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

<table 8-9> Participation of the Canadian Forces <table 8-11> Casualties of the Canadian Forces (Unit : person)
Unit Time Remarks Service Sub Total Dead Wounded Missing POW
the 25th brigade 1951. 5~1954. 12 Total 1,557 312 1,212 32 1
nd
2 battalion of Princes patricia’s Sub Total 1,543 309 1,202 32 -
1950. 12~1951. 11
light infantry Officers 72 11 59 2 -
Army
1st battalion 1951. 10~1952. 11 Soldiers 1,471 298 1,143 30 -
2nd battalion 1952. 10~1953. 10 Navy 13 3 10 - -
2nd battalion of the royal canadian regiment 1951. 5~1952. 4 Air Force 1 - - - 1
1st battalion 1952. 4~1953. 3
3nd battalion 1953. 3~1954. 3
nd
2 battalion of the Royal 22 regiment 1951. 5~1952. 4 Major Battles of the Canadian Forces
1st battalion 1952. 4~1953. 4
3nd battalion 1953. 4~1954. 4

<table 8-10> Canadian Warships

Division Warship Period

First : 1950. 7~1951. 3
Cayuga Second : 1951. 7~1952. 6
Third : 1954. 1~1954.11
First : 1950. 7~1951. 5
Athabaskan Second : 1951. 9~1952. 6
Third : 1952.11~1953.11
First : 1950. 7~1951. 1
Sioux Second : 1951. 4~1952. 2
Third : 1954.12~1955. 9
First : 1952. 6~1953. 6
Crusader
Destroyer Second : 1953.11~1954. 8
First : 1952.11~1953. 6
Haida
Second : 1954. 2~1954. 9
First : 1951. 3~1951. 8
Huron Second : 1953. 6~1954. 2
Third : 1954.10~1954.12
First : 1952. 6~1952.11
Iroquois Second : 1953. 6~1954. 1
Third : 1954. 8~1954.12
First : 1951. 1~1951. 7
Nootka
Second : 1952. 2~1952.11
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Royal Thailand Air Force for the support of naval and air operations.
Thailand The bravery of the Thai battalion unit was explicitly demonstrated in the
Excepting for the four countries mentioned above, most of the UN Battle of Pork Chop Hill. In this battle, the Chinese forces attacked the hill
member nations sent battalion-level units to Korea. three times, but Thai soldiers successfully defended the hill to the last with
Thailand was the first to assist Korea among Asian countries. On June hand-to-hand fighting and counter strikes. With this battle, the Thai soldiers
30, 1950, five days after the war broke out, they demonstrated their will to came to have a nickname, “Little Tiger.”
support the UN resolution by sending 4 tons of rice. The Secretary General
of UN praised Thailand for the Thai support, saying that “we extend our
<table 8-12> Participation of the Thailand Forces
gratitude for the Thai government’s support for the UN resolution and its
Army
decision to send food to Korea.”
Period Remarks
Traditionally, Thailand used to hold the policy of neutrality. However, Thailand Division 1950. 11~1972. 6 Attached US Division
the Thai decision to participate in the war provided an exemplary challenge
Navy
to the Soviet propaganda which publicized that “only Western imperialists
Warship Period
wound dispatch troops to Korea.” The Thai decision also clearly Prasae 1950. 11. 7~1951. 1. 7
demonstrated the fact that “the united efforts of the UN to stop North Bangpakong 1950. 11. 7~1952. 2. 16
Frigate Ship
Prasae II 1951. 12. 29~1955. 1. 21
Korea’s aggressions were made to secure the bless-ings of freedom for
Tachin
mankind.” Transport Ship Sichang 1950. 11. 7~1951. 7. 15
When the dispatch of troops
Air Force
to Korea got delayed, Thailand
Type of Aircraft Terms of Participation
came to a conclusion that the Transport Plane C-47 1951. 6. 18~1964. 11. 6
Thai military forces would
send a battalion-size unit of
<table 8-13> Casualties of the Thailand Forces (Unit : person)
1,000 soldiers. Besides this
Total Dead Wounded Missing POW
battalion unit, Thailand also
Total 1,273 129 1,139 5 -
sent 2 frigates, and the C-47 Army 1,269 125 1,139 5 -
transport aircraft belonging to Navy 4 4 - - -
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Major Battle of the Thailand Forces

Australia
The proposal of Australian government’s military assistance to Korea was
approved unanimously in the Australian Congress. After World War II was
over, Australia maintained 15,000 military forces. Out of these troops, they
willingly decided to dispatch one battalion. During World War II, Australian
armed forces carried out combined operations with the US forces in the
Pacific area. They also had many military experiences in Europe.
Particularly, Australia was a member nation of the UN Commission in
Korea. In early 1950, other UNC member nations sent only one officer, but
Australia sent two officers and these officers were on the UNC Military
Investigation Team. For this reason, these two officers were quite well
aware of the situations of Korea around the outbreak of the Korean War.
When the 3rd Battalion of Royal Australian Regiment(RAR) arrived in
Korea on September 27, 1950, the North Korean advance had been halted
and NK forces were retreating to the North. Upon arrival in Korea, the 3rd
Battalion(RAR) immediately joined the northward advance operations of
the UN forces. At the battle of Sariwon, they defeated North Korean troops
who were withdrawing from the area with hand-to-hand fighting. The
soldiers of the US 24th Infantry Division noticed how the Australian troops
were fighting, and spoke highly of their will to fight. Afterwards, they
demonstrated their capab-ilities in such battles as Battle of
Youngyuri, Battle of Pakchun, Battle of
Kapyong, and Battle of
Maryang Mountain.
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Major Battles of the Australian Forces

<table 8-14> Participation of the Australian Forces

Unit Name Terms of Participation Remarks

rd
3 Battalion 1950. 9~1953. 2 Assigned to the Commonwealth of Nations 28th Brigade
st
1 Battalion 1952. 3~1953. 3
nd
2 Battalion 1953. 3. 17~27

<table 8-15> Marine War Vessels of the Australian Forces

Name Period of participation

Light War Vessel Ship Sydney 1951. 8~1952. 6
First : 1950. 7~1951. 5
Bataan
Second : 1952. 2~1952. 8
First : 1950. 8~1951. 8
Warramunga
Second : 1952. 2~1952. 7
Destroyer First : 1951. 8~1951. 9
Anzac
Second : 1952. 9~1953. 6
First : 1951. 8~1952. 6
Tobruk
Second : 1953. 6~1954. 2
Culgoa 1953. 4~1953. 6
Shoalhaven 1950. 7~1951. 5
Frigate Murchison 1951. 5~1952. 2
Condamine 1952. 8~1953. 4

<table 8-16> Casualties Australian Forces (Unit : person)

Total Army Marine Air Force

Total 1,584 1,526 11 47
Total 339 293 5 41
Death in Battle 306 276 2 28
Dead
Death during Capture 1 1 - -
Accident, etc. 32 16 3 13
Wounded 1,216 1,210 6 -
POW 29 23 - 6
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

attached to the 27th Commonwealth Brigade, Kayforce went into action on

New Zealand January 29, 1951. In July 1951, Kayforce became part of the newly formed
When the Korean War broke out, New Zealand, member nation of the Commonwealth Division.
British Commonwealth, agreed to “send war vessels according to the UN In Korea, the New Zealand artillery assisted British Middlesax Infantry
Security Council Resolution.” Then two RN LOCH-class frigates sailed for Battalion and Canadian Infantry Battalion with timely fire support around
Korea on July 3, 1950, and arrived in Korea on July 30, 1950. Upon arrival the end of January 1951. Besides, the New Zealand Government also
in Korea, New Zealand troops supported UN naval operations, and later dispatched marines, and made quite a contribution to the UN operations.
eight New Zealand war vessels took turns to participate in the Korean War
until the truce agreement was signed. <table 8-17> Participation of the New Zealand Forces
Besides, on July 26, 1950, the New Zealand Government announced it Unit Terms Participation Remarks
would raise a volunteer military force to serve with UN forces in Korea. Direct assistance from the Commonwealth
The 16th field batteries 1950. 12~1954. 11
of Nations 28th Brigade
Known as ‘Kayforce,’ a total of 1,044 men were selected from among
volunteers. Kayforce arrived at Busan on December 31, 1950. Initially <table 8-18> Marines of New Zealand

Division Name Period of Participation

Pukaki 1950. 7~1950. 12
New Zealand Artillery Fire Support
Tutira 1950. 7~1951. 5
First : 1950. 10~1951. 11
Rotoiti
Second : 1952. 1~1953. 3
Frigate
First : 1951. 3~1952. 3
Hawea
Second : 1952. 8~1953. 8
Taupo 1951. 8~1952. 10
Kaniere 1953. 3~1954. 3

<table 8-19> Casualties of the New Zealand Forces (Unit : person)

Division Total Dead Wounded Missing POW
Total 103 23 79 1 -
Army 102 22 79 1 -
Marine 1 1 - - -
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Major Battles of the New Zealand Forces

France
Among European countries,
France, the Netherlands, and
Belgium dispatched the
infantry battalion-level troops
to Korea.
Consisting of 39 officers,
172 non-commissioned offi-
cers and more than 800
enlisted personnel, the French
Battalion departed Marseilles
on September 25, 1950, arriving at Busan on November 30, 1950. Once
equipped with US weapons and vehicles, the battalion was attached to the
23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd US Army Division, with whom it served until
the end of hostilities on July 27, 1953. Particularly, the French Battalion
demonstrated their bravery at the battle of Chipyongri in February 1951,
and after this battle the US soldiers of 23rd Infantry Regiment came to
recognize French soldiers’ combat capabilities.
Lieutenant Colonel Monclaude was a man with a special career. During
World War II, he served as a general of the French Army. He was LTG at
that time. After the war he was retired from the French Army. When the
Korean War broke out and the French government decided to dispatch
troops, however, he volunteered to command the French Battalion. His
suggestion was accepted, so that he became the commander of the French
Battalion. His rank was Lieutenant Colonel, but members of the UN head-
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

quarters and the US 8th Army knew his career. So everyone called him
“General Monclaude.”
The French Battalion fought with the US 23rd Regiment, blocked the Major Battles of the French Forces

Chinese forces’ southward advance, and played an important part in

establishing the bases for counterattack through such battles as Battle of
Wonju, Battle of Twin Tunnels, and Battle of Heartbreak Ridge.

<table 8-20> Participation of the French Forces

Name Period of Participation Remarks

Army French Battalion 1950. 11~1953. 10 assigned the US 2nd Division
Marine Ship La Grandire unknown

<table 8-21> Casualties of the French Forces (Unit : person)

Division Total Dead Wounded Missing POW

Army 1,289 262 1,008 7 12
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

<table 8-22> Participation of the Netherlands Forces

The Netherlands Unit Name Terms of Participation Remarks
The Netherlands and Belgium Battalions were well-trained and had a Army Netherlands Battalion 1950. 11~1954. 12 assigned to the US 2nd Division
strong sense of responsibility. Many of the soldiers from these countries Evertsen 1950. 7~1951. 4 assigned to the West Sea Supportive Battle Corp
Van Galen 1951. 4~1952. 3
also could speak English, so that their communication with US troops was
Piet Hein 1952. 3~1953. 1
Marine
smooth. Van Nassau 1953. 1~1953. 11
Dubois 1953. 11~1954. 9
The Netherlands Battalion arrived in Korea on October 24, 1950, and
Van Zijil 1954. 9~1955. 1
finished adaptation training by the end of December 1950. Then the
battalion was assigned to the US 2nd Division and took part in fierce battles
<table 8-23> Casualties of the Dutch Forces (Unit : person)
in the central forward area. Particularly important was the battalion’s
Division Total Dead Wounded Missing POW
engagement with the NK 5th Army at the battle of Wonju. At this battle, Total 586 119 463 3 1
Army 584 117 463 3 1
Marine 2 2 - - -

the Dutch soldiers killed or captured 1,100 North Korean troops. It was an
astonishing military achievement.
The Netherlands Battalion drove back the enemy that surrounded them
from Hwoengseong and secured Hwoengseong Bridge. That helped the
withdrawal of the US 2nd Division. Traditionally, the Netherlands was
famous for its marine power. In addition to the Netherlands Army unit, the
Royal Netherlands Navy sent six ships for the Korean War. During the
war, the Dutch naval forces carried out such missions as escorting aircraft
carriers, anti-infiltration patrols, destroying enemy costal guns, and
supporting ground troops with artillery fire. They carried out these missions
with the US Far East Navy on the East and West Seas.
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Major Battles of the Netherlands Forces

Belgium
The 1st Belgium Battalion arrived in December 1950 and was attached
to the US 3rd Infantry Division in January 1951. It was replaced by the 2nd
Belgium Battalion in August 1951. The 2nd Belgium Battalion remained in
Korea until June 1955. Assigned to the British 29th Regiment, US 3rd
Division, the Belgium Battalion demonstrated excellent combat capabilities
in battles. During the offensive in February 1951, the Belgium soldiers
were in charge of Gumgul Mountain, northern part of the Imjin River,
while the British Fusilier Battalion was in charge of the left side. On the
right side was a steep cliff of the Imjin River, and beyond the cliff was the
65th Regiment, US 3rd Infantry Division.
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

At that time, the Belgium Battalion was in a difficult situation. The Major Battles of the Belgium-Luxemburg Forces
British Fusilier Battalion was attacked by the Chinese forces and was
nearly isolated. At that moment, Lieutenant Colonel Crehigh composedly
defended Gumgul Mountain and secured the withdrawal route, so that the
Belgium Battalion was able to withdraw safely to Jeongok area where the
US 65th Regiment was encamped.
The Belgium Battalion secured the Gumgul Mountain stronghold and
blocked the Chinese forces’ advance for two days, which enabled the
British 29th Brigade to withdraw safely to the rear area without suffering
heavy casualties. Because of such an outstanding battle at the Gumgul
Mountain stronghold, the Belgium-Luxemburg Battalion was awarded
official commendations from the US President, the Commander-in-chief of
the US 8th Army, and the Belgium Minister of Defense.

<table 8-24> Participation of the Belgium Forces

Unit Name Terms of Participation Remarks

assigned to the US 3rd Division on 1951. 3
Belgium Battalion 1951. 1~1955. 6 assigned to the British 29th Regiment on 1951. 4
assigned to the US 3rd Division on 1951. 8

<table 8-25> Casualties of the Belgium Forces (Unit : person)

Total Dead Wounded Missing POW

441 104 336 - 1
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Luxemburg
The Luxemburg Platoon was the smallest
among the UN forces, smaller than the
minimum requirement of 1,000 troops for
combat deployment. Luxemburg was an
exceptional case.
Luxemburg has only a population of
200,000, so that they couldn’t dispatch a
large number of troops. So they discussed
the dispatch of troops with the government of Belgium and declared
that they would dispatch their troops by including the Luxemburg
Platoon to the Belgium Battalion. Ultimately, Luxembourg sent a 44-
man volunteer infantry platoon to Korea in November 1950. This
unit severed as part of the Belgium Battalion that was assigned to the
US 3rd Infantry Division throughout the war.
<table 8-26> Participation of the Luxemburg Forces
Unit Name Terms of Participation
Luxemburg Platoon(First) 1951. 1~1951. 8
Luxemburg Platoon(Second) 1952. 3~1953. 1
Remarks
assigned to the Belgium Battalion
Greece
Geographically, Greece was a place of strategic importance connecting
Europe and Asia. After World War II, Greece suffered many internal wars
with communist insurgents in Greece who were supported by the
communist block including the Soviet Union. At that time, Greece had
many things in common with Korea, so they continued friendly relations
with Kora.
Greece dispatched 840 infantrymen of the Royal Hellenic Battalion and
one transport plane squadron. The battalion arrived in Busan on December
9, 1950. Once equipped and trained, this battalion was assigned to the 7th
Cavalry Regiment, US 1st Cavalry Division. Greek soldiers demonstrated
their combat capabilities when they were defending Hill 381 near Icheon.
Later they did wonderful jobs in securing Koyangdae-Daenori Hills near
the Imjin River, which were the enemy’s strategic stronghold.
The 13th Greek Air Transport Flight (Seven C-47s) supported the battle
of the Changjin Reservoir after they arrived in Japan on December 1, 1950.
They supported the US Marine, and played an important role in sending
back casualties to the rear area. At that time, the 13th Flight used Gotori and
Hagaluri landing strips, but the landing strips were in a terrible condition.

<table 8-28> Participation of the Greek Forces

<table 8-27> Casualties of the Luxemburg Forces (Unit : person)
Unit Name Terms of Participation Remarks
Total Dead Wounded Missing POW
Army Army - infantry company 1950. 11~1954. 12 1950. 12. 13 assigned to the US 1st regiment of horse
17 2 15 - -
Air Force - 1950. 12 assigned to the US 21st squadron
Air Force 1950. 11~1955. 5
the 13th Formation 1951. 12 assigned to the US 6461st transportation battalion
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

<table 8-29> Casualties of the Greek Forces (Unit : person)

Division Total Dead Wounded

Total 643 184 459
Army 631 172 459
Air Force 12 12 -

Major Battles of the Greek Forces

The Philippines
Among Asian and African countries, the Philippines and Ethiopia
dispatched battalion-size troops. But their weapons were in poor condition
and they had little training, so that it took some time for them to complete
adaptation training.
After independence, the internal situations of the Philippines were quite
unstable because of the frequent engagements with communist insurgents
in the Philippines. However, the government of the Philippines declared to
dispatch 17 tanks first and then a regiment later. On September 2, 1950, the
Philippines Battalion held a ceremony for the overseas dispatch of troop at
Lazare Memorial Stadium for the first time in their history. The Philippines
was the third UN country to dispatch its ground troops to Korea, following
America and England.
The Philippines Battalion was armed with US equipment and also got
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

adaptation training. They arrived in Korea on September 20, 1950, and Major Battles of the Philippines Forces

finished ten days’ adaptation training. At first they were committed to the
rear area to sweep guerilla, but later they were sent to the front.
The Philippines Battalion was assigned to the US 65th Regiment and
distinguished itself in attacking Mountain Gunja near the Imjin River. In
the battle of Mountain Gunja, one rifleman of the Philippines battalion
destroyed enemy’s machinegun amid the rain shower of the enemy’s
machinegun fire, one machinegun gunner continued delivering fire support
to the end even though he was badly wounded, and one medical orderly
successfully evacuated casualties at the risk of his life. They were model
soldiers not only for the Philippines soldiers but also for other soldiers of
the UN forces.

<table 8-30> Participation of the Philippines Forces

Unit Name Terms of Participation Remarks

th
The 10 Combat Unit 1950. 9~1951. 9 assigned to the US 3rd Division
th
The 20 Combat Unit 1951. 9~1952. 6 assigned to the US 43th Division(1952. 4)
The 19th Combat Unit 1952. 6~1953. 4 assigned to the US 43th Division(1952. 6)
th
The 14 Combat Unit 1953. 4~1954. 4 assigned to the US 43th Division(1953. 4)

(Unit : person)
<table 8-31> Casualties of the Philippines Forces

Division Total Dead Wounded Missing POW

The 7th Combat Unit 468 112 299 16 41
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Ethiopian soldiers came to have confidence in combat. After that, they

Ethiopia played a part in blocking Chinese attack in the central forward area.
Ethiopia was attacked by Italy in 1935. Because of such an experience,
<table 8-32> Participation of the Ethiopian Forces
Ethiopia showed a strong determination that UN must show collective
Unit Name Terms of Participation Remarks
action in order to keep world peace. Although Ethiopia was not rich, they
Kagnew the first Battalion 1951. 5~1952. 7 assigned to the 32 Regiment of the US 7th Division
th

decided to follow the UN decision to dispatch troops to Korea. Kagnew the second Battalion 1952. 7~1953. 4 assigned to the 32th Regiment of the US 7th Division
The Ethiopia Battalion arrived in Korea on May 6, 1951. Upon arrival in Kagnew the third Battalion 1953. 4~Unknown assigned to the 32th Regiment of the US 7th Division

Korea, the Ethiopian soldiers were armed with US equipment, and got
<table 8-33> Casualties of the Ethiopian Forces (Unit : person)
eight weeks of adaptation training. It took quite a long time for the soldiers
Division Total Dead Wounded Missing POW
to adapt to a new modern weapons system and unfamiliar tactics, but they
Army 657 121 536 - -
were quite enthusiastic about their training.
Three days after the Ethiopia Battalion was committed to the front, they
had the first engagement with the Chinese forces at Bongdangdeokri in
Hwachon area. They won the 4-hour battle, and through the battle the
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Major Battles of the Ethiopian Forces

Columbia
Upon receiving the UN resolution to dispatch troops to Korea, Columbia
declared to dispatch one battalion. However, their financial difficulties at
home delayed actual dispatch of troops and they had to negotiate with the
US on matters of weapon, training, and supply. Columbia first sent naval
war vessels, and later sent ground troops to Korea on June 16, 1951.
Among the UN member nations, these troops were the last to arrive in
Korea.
Although the scale of Columbian forces was small(a frigate ship, an
Army Battalion), it is noteworthy that Columbia was the only country in
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Latin America that dispatched troops to Korea. Major Battles of the Columbian Forces

The Columbia Battalion was assigned to the US 24th Division, and the
Columbian soldiers had the first engagement at the battle of Heukunto-
ryung. At this bloody battle, the battalion suffered 11 casualties. Later at the
battle of Kumsung, the battalion commander was wounded and the
battalion also suffered heavy casualties, but they finally succeeded in
securing the target area. Afterwards, at the battle of Bolmo Hill they fought
against the Chinese forces’ massive attack, and succeeded in defending the
outpost line.

<table 8-34> Participation of the Columbian Forces

Unit Name Terms of Participation Remarks

Columbia Battalion 1951. 6~1955. 10 assigned to the US Division

<table 8-35> Marine War Vessels of the Columbian Forces

Name Period of Participation

First : 1950. 11. 7~1951. 1. 7
Almirante Padilla
Second : 1955. 3~1955. 10
Frigate First : 1952. 4~1953. 1
Capitan Tono
Second : 1954. 4~1955. 3
Almirante Brion 1953. 6~1954. 4

<table 8-36> Casualties of the Columbian (Unit : person)

Division Total Dead Missing Wounded
Total 639 163 448 28
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

interdiction missions as one of the squadrons making up the USAF’s 18th

The Republic of South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African
Continent. The Republic of South Africa used to be very supportive of any
kind of UN activities, so that when the Korean War broke out they issued a
statement in support of the UN Security Council Resolution on July 1,
1950. In matters of supporting methods, they discussed the matters with the
US, got approval of their plan of support from the Congress, and finally
decided to dispatch a fighter squadron. The Squadron departed Durban Port
on September 4, 1950, and after 40 days of voyage they arrived in
Yokohama, Japan, on November 5, 1950.
The Republic of South Africa dispatched air force only. The role of
South African 2nd Fighter Squadron was mainly flying ground attack and
Fighter Bomber Wing. For their mission, they used 16 F-51D Mustangs
supplied from America.
The first operational sortie was flown to northern side of the Cheongchun
River in the western forward area. It was a time when the UN forces were
retreating southward, and the squadron’s objective was to strike enemy’s
assembly areas and field supply installations. They had miserable accidents
just right after they began their mission. Two of their combat planes had
crashes while landing mainly because of the bad conditions of the landing
strips. Afterwards, the South African Forces carried out successfully their
interdiction mission by bombing railroads, bridges, overhead bridges,
tunnels, and railway switchyards which were spread all over North Korea.
<table 8-37> Participation of the Republic of South Africa Forces

Unit Name Terms of Participation Remarks

South African 2nd assigned to the 18th Combat
1950. 9~1953. 10
Fighter Squadron Flying Battalion(1950. 11)

<table 8-38> Casualties of the Republic of South Africa (Unit : person)

Division Total Dead Wounded Missing POW

Air Force 42 34 - - 8
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

Major Battles of the Republic of South Africa Forces

3. Medical and Material Support Activities of UN
Members

After the outbreak of the Korean War, the UN member nations who
participated in the war decided to dispatch troops to Korea with each
country considering its national security problems in its own way. Those
five countries who supported Korea with medical units responded to the
UN resolution in accordance with the principle stipulated in the UN Charter
that “we member nations will unite our strength to maintain international
peace and security.”
Sweden : Located on the Scandi-navian
Peninsula in Northern Europe, Sweden used to
hold the policy of neutrality. When the Korean
War broke out, however, the Swedish
government decided to dispatch one 200-bed
mobile field hospital unit. The field hospital unit
left Stockholm on July 28, 1950, and arrived at
Busan on September 23, 1950.
The Swedish medical unit supported Korea for
six and a half years until they withdrew in April
1957. During the war a total of 1,124 Swedish
men and women served at the hospital in Busan.
They stayed longer than any other army in the
UN forces, and provided invaluable medical
assistance.
India : India also used to hold the policy of
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
neutrality. When the Korean War broke out, however, they decided to send
the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance Platoon, a mobile army surgical
hospi-tal(MASH). Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A. G. Rangaraj, it
joined UN forces at Pyongyang on December 4, 1950, just in time to take
part in the 8th Army’s withdrawal out of North Korea. On December 14,
1950, it formally became a medical evacuation unit for the 27th British
Commonwealth Brigade. It supported this unit throughout the war. The
Indian medical unit gained the respect of Commonwealth troops for its
high-quality medical care and the courage of its soldiers under fire, and it
was awarded official commendations from the ROK government several
times.
Denmark : When the Korean War began, the Danish government
decided to furnish a fully-equipped and staffed hospital ship as its
contribution to the UN effort, so in July 1950 ordered the conversion of the
8,500 ton Motor Vessel Jutlandia to fill this requirement. Com-manded by
BG Kai Hammerich, the Jutlandia sailed from Copenhagen in September
1950, arriving at Busan in October 1950 where it served basically as an
evacuation hospital. The Jutlandia went back to Denmark every eight
Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part
months for maintenance and was dispatched again to Korea.
Norway : When the United Nations asked its member nations to
assist South Korea, the Norwegian government decided to send the 1st
(Norwegian) Army Surgical Hospital, known as NORMASH. The
Surgical Hospital departed Norway on May 31, 1951, and upon arrival in
Korea the unit supported the US 1st Corps in Dongduchon. During its stay,
the medical staff of the unit performed over 9,000 operations and treated
approximately 90,000 personnel.
Italy : When Korean War broke out, Italy was one of the NATO
member nations but was not a member of the United Nations. At that time
the internal situation of Italy was also very insecure because of frequent
changes in the Italian Cabinet. When the Red Cross requested help, Italy
decided to send its Italian Red Cross Hospital 68 to Korea. The hospital
unit arrived in November 1951. Italy was the last country that sent medical
unit, and Italy was the only non-member state of the United nations that
sent troops to Korea.
Countries That Provided Material Goods: As well as medical support,
many countries and international organizations supplied goods to Korea.
When the Korean War broke out, Europe suffered from World War II and
countries in South America were economically in difficult situations.
Because of these reasons, many countries in Europe and South America
could not provide military assistance to Korea. Despite these difficulties,
however, many countries volunteered to help Korea with material supplies.
Among the UN member nations, the following countries helped Korea
with material support: Brazil, Taiwan, Cuba, Ecuador, Iceland, Lebanon,
Liberia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
and so forth (not including those countries who participated in the war or
sent medical units). In addition, many international organizations also
helped Korea with material supplies.
4. The Meaning of UN Forces’ Participation in the World
History
1) The Historical Meaning of UN Forces’ Participation in the
Korean War
In accordance with the UN decision to support Korea, 21 members of the
United Nations participated in the Korean War to safeguard international
peace and security under the UN flag for the first time since its foundation
in 1945. Under command of the US forces, the UN forces fought battles,
repeatedly moving northward or southward from
the Nakdong River up to the Yalu River. The UN
forces’ participation in the Korean War has
important meanings in the world history.
The first significance of the UN forces’
participation in the Korean War lies in the fact that
it was the first collective action that was taken to
actualize the fundamental principle of the United
Nations. In other words, the Korean War served as
an opportunity to test “the principle of collective
security” stipulated on the UN Charter. At that
time, a total of 21 countries participated in the war.
Out of these countries, 16 countries including the
Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part
United States dispatched combat troops, and the other 5 countries sent
medical units. About 40 member nations helped Korea with material
supplies.
The meaning of the UN forces’ participation in the war cannot be
estimated simply by the size of troops the member nations dispatched to
Korea. For the first time since the end of World War II, the UN forces’
participation itself was a meaningful effort to regain peace from “peace
destroyers” by collective actions of an international organization. Just in a
situation when the tragedies of the World War II were still vivid in the
people’s memory, members of the UN nations were united to proclaim that
“we have to stop at any cost the threats of peace destroyers by collective
actions based on the principle stipulated on the UN Charter.”
The UN Forces saved Korea in a situation when Korea was confined
within the “Busan Perimeter,” a small area in the southeast of the Korean
Peninsula. At this time of critical moment, the UN forces took part in the
war and changed the military situation overnight. Afterwards, the UN
forces played a decisive role in driving back the communists’ aggressions.
Many countries joined the UN forces in accordance with the UN
resolution to help Korea. This fact provided people around the world with a
good chance to think about what the communists were doing.
During the Korean War, many countries supported either South or North
Korea based on their ideologies-democratic capitalism or socialist
communism. So the Cold War tensions between East and West, which
came into existence during World War II, were rudely shattered when
North Korean troops, spearheaded by Russian-built tanks, invaded the
Republic of Korea. After the Korean War, the Cold War tensions were
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Participation and Support of the UN Forces 08 Part

more aggravated throughout the world. Muslim, so that they didn’t eat any pork. Indians believed in Hindu,
On the other hand, Korea was devastated because of the Korean War. so that they didn’t like beef. The forces of France, Belgium and the
After the war, however, Korea was able to lay a foundation for economic Netherlands liked breads and potatoes, while Thai soldiers wanted
development due to the assistance from the United Nations. During the war rice and spicy-hot soy paste mixed with red pepper.
the administrative body of the Korean government was almost paralyzed, Those sixteen countries who formed the UN forces had different
so that the ROK government had to depend on the UN Command for relief cultural and historical experiences, different eating habits, and
administration of the afflicted people. The UN Civil Security Command different religious taboos. Therefore, food supply based on American
took charge of procurement of relief supplies, relief activities for refugees, or European standard dissatisfied non-American, non-European
and support for medical and educational facilities. forces. These problems were gradually settled when soldiers from
different countries came to understand each other. Besides, measures
2) The Lessons of the UN Forces’ Participation were also taken to respect different customs and cultures.
The member nations of the UN forces, except America, were all
limited in the number of troops and in combat power. However, these
member countries demonstrated the fact that well-trained forces can
contribute a lot to the overall UN military operations by showing
highly cohesive, proud, and disciplined combat capabilities.
During the course of the Korean War, the UN forces came to
realize the importance of understanding languages, histories,
cultures, and customs of foreign countries. In order to solve the
problem of communication, they employed interpreters. Still,
however, they had a lot of difficulties in commanding those units
composed of soldiers from different countries.
The UN forces were composed of multinational nationalities with
different customs and cultures. Because of the differences in religion
and in eating customs, the UN forces had some difficulties in
supplying food for soldiers. For instance, Turkish soldiers were
 The Colombian Forces’
A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War
Korea and Colombia
Participation in the Korean War
The UN forces also had difficulty in commanding troops because
not only the situations of home countries but also the cultural and
historial backgrounds of component soldiers were different from
each other. It was not an easy task for a UN commander to combine
different forces from different nations into combat teams and to carry
out combined operations in an effective way.
Among others, some UN forces had a hard time in adapting to cold
winter and rugged mountains in Korea. Turkey and Greek forces
adapted relatively readily to Korean environment, but Thai and
Indian forces from hot countries had difficulty in adapting to the
Korean weather and mountainous areas.
All of these soldiers came to Korea as members of the UN forces
and safeguarded “peace and security” of Korea at the risk of their
precious lives. Their distinguished services and noble sacrifices will
forever be remembered in the minds and hearts of Korean people.

Appendix
1. The UN Forces’ Participation by Countries, Forces,
and Dates
2. Colombian Troops and Commanders
3. List of the Colombian Soldiers Killed in Action
4. The UN Forces’ Scale of Participation & Loss
 Appendix 09 Part

1. The UN Forces’ Participation by Countries, Forces, and Dates

NO Country Forces Arival Date Date of Battle Participation
Navy·Air Force 27 Jun. 1950
1 US 5 Jul. 1950
Army 1 Jul. 1950
Air Force·Navy 7 Jul. 1950
2 UK 5 Sep. 1950
Army 29 Aug. 1950
Navy 29 Jul. 1950
3 France 10 Dec. 1950
Army 29 Nov. 1950
Air Force(Cargo) 28 Jul. 1950
4 Canada Navy 30 Jul. 1950 15 Feb. 1951
Army 18 Dec. 1950
Air Force·Navy 7 Jul. 1950
5 Australia 5 Nov. 1950
Army 28 Sep. 1950
Navy 15 Jul. 1950
6 Netherlands 3 Dec. 1950
Army 24 Nov. 1950
Air Force 25 Nov. 1950
7 Greece 27 Jan. 1951
Army 9 Dec. 1950
8 Philippines Army 19 Sep. 1950 6 Mar. 1951
Navy·Air Force 7 Jul. 1950
9 New Zealand 5 Nov. 1950
Army 28 Sep. 1950
10 Turkey Army 17 Oct. 1950 10 Nov. 1950

A History of Colombian Forces’

Navy 10 Nov. 1950
11 Thailand Army 7 Nov. 1950 23 Nov. 1950

Participation in the Korean War

Air Force(Cargo) 23 Jun.1951
12 Belgium Army 31 Jan. 1951 6 Mar. 1951
13 South Africa Air Force 4 Oct. 1950 4 Oct. 1950
14 Luxemburg Army 31 Jan. 1951 13 Mar. 1951
Navy 30 Apr. 1951
15 Columbia 1 Aug. 1951
Army 15 Jun. 1951
16 Ethiopia Army 5 May. 1951 15 Aug. 1951
17 Sweden Hospital 23 Sep. 1950 23 Srp. 1950
18 India Hospital 20 Nov. 1950 20 Nov. 1950
19 Denmark Hospital Ship 2 Mar. 1951 2 Mar. 1951
20 Norway Hospital 22 Jan. 1951 22 Jun. 1951
21 Italy Hospital 16 Nov. 1951 19 Nov. 1951
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Appendix 09 Part

2. Colombian Troops and Commanders Major Awards Colombian Soldiers Received

Classification Name of Award (Number of)
Recipient
Dates of Colombian Troops’ Arrival and Withdrawal Lt. Col.
Korean Award Order of Military Merit Ulchi
Ruiz Novoa
Arrival at Busan Withdrawal from Korea Period of Service in Korea
Honor al Deber Cumplido con V 114
June 15, 1951 October 29, 1955 4 years 4 months 14 days
Colombian Award Honor al Deber Cumplido 231
Cruz de Hierro 117
Silver Star 18
Cumulative Number of Colombian Soldiers V Bronze Star 25
(Up to the Armistice Agreement) American Award Bronze Star 9
Officer Enlisted Man Total Legion of Merit 2
Presidential Unit Citation Battalion
159 4,155 4,314

Colombian Navy (Up to Its Complete Withdrawal)

Colombian Casualties (Up to July 27, 1953) Frigate Captain Period of Service
Killed Wounded Missing Total ARC Almirante Padilla Major Julio Cesar Reyes Canal May 1951-Feb 1952
163 448 28 639 ARC Capitan Tono Major Hernado Beron Victoria Apr 1952-Jan 1953
ARC Almirante Brion Major Carlos Prieto Silva June 1953-Apr 1954
ARC Capitan Tono Major Jorge Tana Suarez Apr 1954-Mar 1955
ARC Almirante Padilla Major Dario Ferero Gonnalez Mar 1955-Oct 1955
Colombian Battalion Commanders Served in Korea
(Up to Its Withdrawal)
Order of Battalion Commander
Service Tour
1st Lt. Col. Jaime Polania Puyo June 15, 1951-July 4, 1952
2nd Lt. Col. Alberto Ruiz Novoa July 4, 1952-June 25, 1953
3rd Lt. Col. Carlos Ortiz Torres June 25, 1953-Oct 29, 1954
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Appendix 09 Part

Country Name Rank

3. List of the Colombian Soldiers Killed in Action
26 BERCELINO LEON PINTO SOLDADO
Country Name Rank
27 BOLIVAR CASTRO LUCIO SOLDADO
1 ABRAHAM LOPEZ N. SOLDADO
28 BRAULIO SUAREZ POSADA SOLDADO
2 ABRAHAM MONSALVE C. SOLDADO
29 CABRIEL GALINDO A. SOLDADO
3 ADOLFO RODRIGUEZ R. SOLDADO
30 CALIXTO FRANCISCO CASTELLANOS SOLDADO
4 AGUSTIN ARGAEZ C. SOLDADO
31 CAMILO ECHEVERRI BERMUDEZ CABO 10
5 AICADO A. MORALES CUARTAS SOLDADO
32 CARLOS ARTURO ISAZA HENAO SOLDADO
6 ALBERTO MALDONADO GOMEZ SOLDADO
33 CARLOS BRAVO MARTINEZ SOLDADO
7 ALEJANDRO SANTAMARIA QUINTERO SOLDADO
34 CARLOS E. ZAPATA H. SOLDADO
8 ALFONSO DE J. ALZATE SOLDADO 35 CARLOS PENA SANCHEZ CABO 10
9 ALFONSO GOMEZ V. SOLDADO 36 CIPRIANO HERRERA AMEZQUITA SOLDADO
10 ALFONSO GUILLERMO AGUDELO SOLDADO 37 DAMIAN OCTAVIO LONDONO M. SOLDADO
11 ALFONSO LUQUE MEJIA SOLDADO 38 DANIEL ALFREDO HURTADO SARGENTO 20
12 ALFONSO MOGOLLON B. SOLDADO 39 DANIEL HURTADO HURTADO SOLDADO
13 ALFREDO GUEVARA N. SOLDADO 40 DANIEL NAVARRO RODRIGUEZ SOLDADO
14 ALFREDO OLAYA V. SOLDADO 41 DANILO ALVAREZ G. SOLDADO
15 ALIRIO GUZMAN BENJAMIN SOLDADO 42 DIONISIO G. NINO SOLDADO
16 ALVARO MUNOZ R. SOLDADO 43 DIOSELINO AMAYA SANCHEZ SOLDADO
17 ALVARO OSUNE RAMIREZ SOLDADO 44 DOMIGO BARON REYES CABO 10
18 ANGEL MARIA ROMERO GONZALEZ SOLDADO 45 ECCELINO REINA M. SOLDADO
19 ANTONIO JOSE PEREZ OJEDA SOLDADO 46 EDUARDO AGUILERA JIMENEZ SOLDADO
20 ANTONIO LANDINEZ GALVIS SOLDADO 47 EDUARDO PULIDO P. CABO 20
21 ANTONIO MARTINEZ M. SOLDADO 48 EFRAIN ALBERTO MARTINEZ SOLDADO
22 AQUILEO CASTRO C. SOLDADO 49 EFRAIN PEREZ PRIETO SARGENTO 20
23 ARMANDO PARRA RINCON CABO 20 50 ELIECER ALBINO CUBILLOS CHACON SOLDADO
24 ARMANDO RODRIGUEZ NIETO SOLDADO 51 ELIO DE JESUS RAMOS HENAO CABO 10

25 AZAEL OSORIO SALAZER SARGENTO 20 52 ENRIQUE BECERRA CIFUENTES SOLDADO

Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Appendix 09 Part

Country Name Rank Country Name Rank

53 EPAMINONDAS BARBOSA T. SOLDADO 80 HERMOGENES RIVERA SOLDADO
54 ERNESTO GONZALEZ VARELA CABO 10 81 HERNADO LAMILLA AVILES CABO 10
55 EUSEBIO HERNANDEZ SALAZAR SOLDADO 82 HERNADO RUEDA AMAYA SOLDADO
56 FABIO LUIS CALVO SALAZAR CABO 20 83 HONORIO URIBE BETANCOURT SOLDADO
57 FABIO ROJAS GOMEZ SOLDADO 84 HORACIO ECHAVARRIA RESTREPO SOLDADO
58 FABIO ROJAS RINCON SOLDADO 85 HORACIO JIMENEZ RONCANCIO CABO 20
59 FEDERICO VILLAMIZAR SANDOVAL SOLDADO 86 HUMBERTO A. CANO GONZALEZ SOLDADO
60 FELIX DIAZ SOLDADO 87 IGNACIO GUTIERREZ A. SOLDADO
61 FELIX ROMERO H. SOLDADO 88 JACOB TRUJILLO CERQUERA SOLDADO
62 FERNANDO ESCOBAR R. SOLDADO 89 JAIME URIBE SOLDADO
63 FLORENTINO POVEDA C. SOLDADO 90 JESUS E. AYALA D. SOLDADO
64 FLORESMIRO MURCIA P. SOLDADO 91 JESUS EVELIO HOYOS OSORIO SOLDADO
65 FRANCISCO ARAGON B. SOLDADO 92 JESUS MARIA CASCANTE PARRA CABO 20
66 FRANCISCO SANIN ROMERO SOLDADO 93 JESUS MARIA MAHECHA GUTIERREZ SOLDADO
67 GABRIEL ANGEL LOPEZ VALENCIA CABO 10 94 JORGE ENRIQUE RODRIGUEZ R. SOLDADO
68 GABRIEL MARROQUIN SOLDADO 95 JORGE HERRERA VILLALOBOS CABO 10
69 GERVASIO ANTONIO GOMEZ A. SOLDADO 96 JORGE SOLANO PACHON CABO 10
70 GILBERTO RIVERA BEDOYA CABO 20 97 JOSE A. ANGEL F. SOLDADO
71 GILDARDO MUNOZ C. SOLDADO 98 JOSE A. FLOREZ RONCANCIO SOLDADO
72 GONZALO ALIRIO SANCHEZ GOMEZ CABO 10 99 JOSE ALFONSO SILVA RODRIGUEZ SOLDADO
73 GUILER MELGAREJO P. SOLDADO 100 JOSE ALFREDO SANCHEZ SOLDADO
74 GUSTAVO BURGOS SALAZAR SOLDADO 101 JOSE CENEN TORO ARIAS SOLDADO
75 GUSTAVO GONZALEZ C. SOLDADO 102 JOSE D. TORRES D. SOLDADO
76 GUSTAVO TORRES FORERO SOLDADO 103 JOSE DE JESUS ALVAREZ FONSECA SOLDADO
77 HECTOR ENRIQUE PEREA VALOTES MARINERO 10 104 JOSE DELIO MACIAS ZAPATA SOLDADO
78 HECTOR JULIO MUNAR BARRERA SOLDADO 105 JOSE EDUARDO GARCIA SANCHEZ SOLDADO
79 HECTOR RAMIREZ ESGUERRA SOLDADO 106 JOSE GUILLERMO BOLANOS C. SOLDADO
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Appendix 09 Part

Country Name Rank Country Name Rank

107 JOSE J. NARVAEZ M. CABO 10 134 JUVENAL ROJAS SANCHEZ CABO 20
108 JOSE HOAQUIN HIDALGO LUJAN SOLDADO 135 LAUREANO ALMEIDA S. SOLDADO
109 JOSE JOAQUIN MOTTA QUIMBAYA SOLDADO 136 LAZARO MORA DE CASTOR CABO 10
110 JOSE KELERMAN RAMIREZ DELGADO SOLDADO 137 LIBARDO ARBELAEZ E. SOLDADO
111 JOSE LIBARDO JARAMILLO SOLDADO 138 LISANDRO BEJARANO B. SOLDADO
112 JOSE M. MANRIQUE CABO 10 139 LORENZO H. ESTUPINAN SOLDADO
113 JOSE M. TOBIO SOLDADO 140 LORENZO VILLAMIL SOLDADO
114 JOSE OTALVARO P. SOLDADO 141 LUIS A. GARIZABALO ROSDO SOLDADO
115 JOSE RAFAEL RIVERA ALEGRIA SOLDADO 142 LUIS A. MEDINA M. SOLDADO
116 JOSE ROSARIO DIAZ FLOREZ SOLDADO 143 LUIS A. ROJAS ROBLES CABO 10
117 JOSE TEODORO LEGUIZAMON M. CABO 10 144 LUIS A. SANCHEZ G. SOLDADO
118 JOSE VICENTE GIL GARZON SOLDADO 145 LUIS ALBERTO ALBARADO SOLDADO
119 JOSE VICENTE QUINONES MESA SOLDADO 146 LUIS ALEJANDRO BERNAL BAQUERO SUBTENIEWNTE
120 JOVINO DIAZ ORDONEZ SOLDADO 147 LUIS ALFONSO MARTINEZ SOLDADO
121 JUAN A. BELTREN G. SOLDADO 148 LUIS ALFREDO TRIANA ARGUELLO SOLDADO
122 JUAN BAUTISTA ROJAS MARQUEZ SOLDADO 149 LUIS BERNARDO LONDONO M. CABO 10
123 JUAN DE J. GOMEZ ROMERO SOLDADO 150 LUIS ENRIQUE MUNOZ SOLDADO
124 JUAN DE J. RINCON RESTREPO SOLDADO 151 LUIS FRANCISCO GONZALEZ SOLDADO
125 JUAN DE J. SUTANEME SOLDADO 152 LUIS FRANCISCO RUIZ JOYA CABO 10
126 JUAN DE JESUS MORERA M. SOLDADO 153 LUIS G. SEPULVBDA C. SOLDADO
127 JUAN DE JESUS PEDRAZA SARGENTO 20 154 LUIS HECTOR CORREA RESTREPO SOLDADO
128 JUAN DE LOS RIOS RODRIGUEZ B. SOLDADO 155 LUIS P. ANGULO M. SOLDADO
129 JUAN SOLANO MESA SOLDADO 156 MANUEL ACOSTA YANEZ SOLDADO
130 JULIO BRENEISDER AYAA SOLDADO 157 MANUEL LADINO FRANCO SOLDADO
131 JULIO C. MARIN RIOS SOLDADO 158 MANUEL SALVADOR CORREA CALLE SOLDADO
132 JULIO CESAR GUTIERREZ CAMARGO SOLDADO 159 MANUEL SALVADOR RICO B. SOLDADO
133 JUVEWNAL MESA A. SOLDADO 160 MANUEL VALENZUELA GOMEZ SOLDADO
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Appendix 09 Part

Country Name Rank Country Name Rank

161 MARCELO MATOMA SOLDADO 188 PLINIO MENA PINO SOLDADO
162 MARCO A. MANRIQUE MALDONADO CABO 10 189 PROSPERO TORRES RODRIGUEZ SOLDADO
163 MARCO A. MANZANO T. CABO 10 190 RAFAEL ANTONIO MONTANEZ S. SOLDADO
164 MARCO JULIO TREJO HOYOS SOLDADO 191 RAFAEL CONTRERAS SUAREZ SOLDADO
165 MARINANO RESTREPO E. SOLDADO 192 RAMIRO FRANCO E. SOLDADO
166 MARIO COBO SOLARTE CABO 10 193 RAMON ANTONIO MARULANDA SOLDADO
167 MARIO DE J. HENAO L. SOLDADO 194 RAMON DE JESUS MOLINA HENAO SOLDADO
168 MIGUEL ANTONIO AGATION PEREZ SOLDADO 195 RAMON ELIAS QUIRAMA MONTOYA CABO 10
169 MIGUEL ANTONIO GOMEZ BERMUDEZ SOLDADO 196 RICHARDO DE H. GONZALEZ CABO 20
170 MIGUEL PEREZ G. SOLDADO 197 ROBERTO BARANDICA ECHEVERRY SOLDADO
171 MIGUEL SIERRA S. CABO 20 198 ROBERTO BAUTISTA P. CABO 10
172 NEFTALI ROA AGUIRRE CABO 10 199 RODRIGO A. ARANGO QUINTERO SOLDADO
173 NEFTALI URUENA R. CABO 10 200 RODRIGO RODRIGUEZ GIRALDO SOLDADO
174 NICOLAS GARZON B. SARGENTO 20 201 ROQUE ARCADIO BEDOYA T. SOLDADO
175 NICOLAS RAPAEL NIEBLES N. SOLDADO 202 SAUL MURCIA SOLDADO
176 OLIVERIO CRUZ HERRERA SOLDADO 203 SEGUNDO A. BECERRA MORCOTES SOLDADO
177 OLIVERIO SANCHEZ GARCIA SOLDADO 204 SEGUNDO G. BELALCAZAR AHUMADA SOLDADO
178 OSCAR PRADO S. SOLDADO 205 SERGIO A. MORAN CABO 10
179 OTONIEL LOPEZ RIOS SARGENTO 20 206 SEVERO DIAZ RINCON SOLDADO
180 OVIDIO ACEVEDO PARRA SOLDADO 207 SILVIO DELGADO SARMIENTO SOLDADO
181 PASTOR GOMEZ L. SOLDADO 208 TOMAS A. OSEJO SOLDADO
182 PEDRO JESUS GUTIERREZ PARRA SOLDADO 209 TOMAS LAVERDE GONZALEZ SOLDADO
183 PEDRO JOSE MOLANO CABO 20 210 ULISES FERNANDEZ M. SOLDADO
184 PEDRO L. BUITRAGO RONCANCIO SOLDADO 211 VALEK MOURE VLADIMIR SUBTENIENTE
185 PEDRO NEL MOSQUERA FERNANDEZ CABO 20 212 VICTOR M. LOPEZ A. SOLDADO
186 PEDRO PABLO CASALLAS CH. SOLDADO 213 VICTOR MANUEL FONSECA SOLDADO
187 PEDRO PABLO DIAZ B. SOLDADO 214 VICTOR OBREGON C. SOLDADO
 Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War Appendix 09 Part

2) Loss of the UN Forces

4. The UN Forces’ Scale of Participation & Loss (Unit : person)

Country Total Dead Wounded Missing POW

1) Scale of Participation of the UN Forces
Total 776,360 178,569 555,022 28,611 14,158
Country Army Navy Air Force
Infantry Division7, Marine Korea 621,479 137,899 45742 24,495 8,343
Far East Fleet, 7th Fleet Far East Air Force 66
US Division1, Regiment US 137,250 36,940 92,134 3,737 4,439
261Warship17(Carrier1) Squadron
Combat Foces 2：302,483
Infantry Brigade 2, Marine Carrier 1, Destroyer 2, UK 4,908 1,078 2,674 179 977
UK -
Commando 1: 14,198 Frigate 1 Australia 1,584 339 1,216 3 26
Combat Flight 1,
Australia Infantry Battalion 3：2,282 Destroyer 1 Netherlands 768 120 645 - 3
Cargo Flight 1
Netherlands Infantry Battalion 1：819 Destroyer 3 - Canada 1,557 312 1,212 1 32
Canada Infantry Brigade 1：6,146 Frigate 1 Cargo Squadron 1
New Zealand 103 23 79 1 -
New Zealand Infantry Battalion 1：1,389 Destroyer 1 -
France Infantry Battalion 1：1,119 - - France 1,289 262 1,008 7 12
Philippines Infantry Battalion 1：1,496 - -
Philippines 398 112 229 16 41
Turkey Infantry Brigade 1：5,455 Frigate 2 -
Thailand Infantry Battalion 1：1,294 - Cargo Flight 1 Turkey 3,216 741 2,068 163 244
Greece Infantry Battalion 1：1,263 - Cargo Flight 1
Thailand 1,273 129 1,139 5 -
South Africa - - CombatFlightSquadron1
Belgium Infantry Battalion 1：900 - - Greece 738 192 543 - 3
Luxemburg Infantry Platoon 1：44 Frigate 1 -
South Africa 43 34 - - 9
Columbia Infantry Battalion 1：1,068 -
Ethiopia Infantry Battalion 1：1,271 - - Belgium 440 99 336 4 1
Total 341,227 - -
Luxemburg 15 2 13 - -
India Medical Unit：70 - -
Italy Medical Unit：72 - - Columbia 639 163 448 - 28
Norway Medical Unit：105 - - Ethiopia 657 121 536 - -
Sweden Medical Unit：154 - -
Grand Total 341,628 - - Norway 3 3 - - -
Korea and Colombia A History of Colombian Forces’ Participation in the Korean War

3) POW Exchange
(Unit : person)
Translated and Supervised
Country Wounded POW POW Total by Suh Suk-Bong

North Korea 5,640 70,183 75,823 <Career>

Suh Suk-Bong, Ph.D. & Colonel(Ret)
China 1,030 5,640 6,670 Graduated from Korea Military Academy, 1972
BS in English Language and Literature, Seoul National University, 1976 MA in American
Total 6,670 75,823 82,493 Studies, The University of Michigan, 1979
Ph.D. in American Studies, The University of Iowa, 1986.
US 149 3,597 3,746 Up to February 2008, Colonel & Professor, English Department, Korea Military Academy.
Currently, Professor Emeritus at English Department, Korea Military Academy.
UK 32 945 977

Turkey 15 229 243

Philippines 1 40 41

Canada 2 30 32

Columbia 6 22 28

Australia 5 21 26

France - 12 12

South
1 8 9
Africa

Greece 1 2 3

Netherlands 1 2 3 A History of Colombian Forces’

Belgium - 1 1 Participation in the Korean War
New Zealand - 1 1
Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs, The Republic of Korea
17-23 Youido-dong, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea 150-874
Japan - 1 1
Date of Initial Publication : October, 2008
South Korea 471 7,862 8,321 Shinsaeng Communication

Total 684 12,773 13,444