• The memorial service will be held at 11AM, Friday 24th at Seoul National Cemetery... attended by around 400 people including Minister Park Min-shik of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Chairman Lee Hwa-jong and members of the Vietnam Veterans Association Korea, and families of the late General Chae Myung-shin.
• Minister Park Min-shik stated, "We remember the blood and sweat shed by heroes like General Chae Myung-shin and will do our utmost to spread a culture of respect and remembrance in our daily lives."
[Korea, November 23] The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (Minister Park Min-shik) announced that the '10th Anniversary Memorial Service for the Late General Chae Myung-shin', who served as the first commander of the Korean Forces in Vietnam and the commander of the Maengho Unit during the Vietnam War, will be held under the auspices of the Vietnam Veterans Association Korea (Chairman Lee Hwa-jong) at 11 AM on the 24th (Friday) at the Memorial Hall of the Seoul National Cemetery.
The memorial service, attended by Minister Park, Chairman Lee and about 400 members and regional directors of the Association, family members of the late General Chae Myung-shin, will include a pledge of allegiance, biography report, memorial address, floral tribute, incense offering, and greetings from the family representative, lasting about 50 minutes.
General Chae Myung-shin participated in the Korean War and led a guerrilla unit called 'Baekgol Battalion', disrupting enemy forces behind the lines and achieving numerous military successes. During the Vietnam War, as the first commander of the Korean Forces in Vietnam and the commander of the Maengho Unit, he gained independent operational control for the Korean forces with his exceptional insight and decisiveness, showcasing the excellence of the Korean military to the world.
After retiring, he served as ambassador to Sweden, Greece, and Brazil, and from 2000 to 2003, he was the chairman of the Vietnam War Meritorious Veterans Association. In 2012, after the Vietnam Veterans Association Korea became a public legal entity under the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, he was became the first honorary chairman by its members.
General Chae Myung-shin passed away on November 25, 2013, at the age of 87. He was buried in the Vietnam War Veterans section of the Seoul National Cemetery, in accordance with his last wish to be laid to rest among his soldiers. General Chae Myung-shin is respected as a war hero and a true soldier by the people.
Minister Park Min-shik stated, “I deeply mourn and respect General Chae Myung-shin who dedicated his life to the country amidst the harsh realities of war. The government will do its utmost to ensure that our citizens remember the sacrifices of heroes like General Chae and spread a culture of respect in their daily lives.”
Attachment : Event Overview and Time Plan