Daily Busan
Turn Toward Busan to honor Korean War veterans
source: visitbusan
At 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, sirens will suddenly blare across the city. Don’t panic. The sirens are not an air raid or disaster alert; rather, they are part of Turn Toward Busan, an annual ceremony held to honor those who sacrificed their lives during the Korean War (1950-1953).
Turn Toward Busan takes place at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea, the only U.N. memorial cemetery in the world. The ceremony was first observed in 2007 on the recommendation of Canadian Armed Forces veteran Vincent Courtenay. Mr. Courtenay was only 16 years old when he enlisted in the Canadian military to fight in the war. He has dedicated his life to ensuring the courage and sacrifice of Canadian soldiers during the Korean War is never forgotten.
In 2020, the central government designated Nov. 11 as International Memorial Day for U.N. Korean War Veterans, a national anniversary.
On that day, at 11 a.m., a commemorative siren will sound across Busan for one minute, followed by a 21-gun salute, the customary ritual signifying the nation’s highest honor for fallen soldiers. During this time, citizens are encouraged to express gratitude by turning toward the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Nam-gu District and observing a moment of silence.
Turn Toward Busan concludes UN Weeks in Busan, Oct. 24 to Nov. 11, during which various programs are held to honor Korean War veterans. Programs include the World Peace Walk, the 2024 Busan World Peace Forum and the Turn Toward Busan Eve Concert.
For a full breakdown of UN Weeks events, visit (unweeksinbusan.or.kr).
<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>
suddenly: 갑자기 blare: 요란하게 울리다 air raid: 공습 disaster: 재난 alert: 알림 annual: 연간의 honor: 기리다 sacrifice: 희생하다 recommendation: 추천 dedicate: 바치다 commemorative: 기념하는 salute: 경의의 표시 customary: 관례적인 ritual: 의식 gratitude: 감사
Editor: Song Soomi
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