India and South Korea jointly inaugurate Indian War Memorial in Seoul on 21 May 2026 to mark 75th anniversary of Korean War

Key facts

• The Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park in Seoul was jointly inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and South Korean Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul on 21 May 2026.
• The memorial commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and honours the Indian Army's 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India for their medical assistance and post-war peacekeeping during the 1950-53 conflict.
• The 60 Para Field Ambulance, commanded by Lt Col A G Rangaraj, Maha Vir Chakra, was given the title 'Maroon Angels' by South Korean civilians and soldiers for its humanitarian work under heavy crossfire.
• The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at cooperation in honouring Korean War veterans and released a memoir dedicated to soldiers who served during the conflict.
• The memorial stands at the site where the Custodian Force of India established 'Hind Nagar' in September 1954, housing nearly 22,000 prisoners of war before their peaceful repatriation.