On the 4th (local time), Starkist, a subsidiary of Dongwon Group, hosted its annual dinner for veterans and descendants of the Korean War Battle of Chosin Reservoir at a hotel in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington. Surviving veterans of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir pose for a commemorative photo. Yonhap News. 

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, US soldiers and their descendants who participated in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War gathered near Washington D.C. to reaffirm the value of the freedom they defended with their blood and the ROK-US alliance.

This was at the annual dinner hosted by Starkist, a subsidiary of Dongwon Group, for veterans and descendants of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir at a hotel in Arlington, Virginia, on the night of the 4th (local time). As veterans pass away each year, only 13 veterans attended in person this year, just over half the number from last year.

The Battle of Chosin Reservoir refers to the process in the winter of 1950 where the US 1st Marine Division, which had advanced north to the Chosin Reservoir area of the Kaema Plateau, was surrounded by seven divisions of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army and faced near annihilation before breaking through the encirclement and withdrawing.

Korean sources report that the casualties among UN forces, including the US military, in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, which took place from November 27 to December 11, 1950, numbered over 17,000 (including non-combat causes such as frostbite). Chinese sources estimate their own casualties, including those due to frostbite, to be over 50,000.

At the event, Yoon Hyung-jin, Defense Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States, listed Korea's recent economic and cultural successes and stated, "None of these successes would have been possible without the sacrifice of the US veterans," adding, "Our commitment to the ROK-US alliance will remain unwavering."

In a video message, Juil Seok, Commander of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, said, "The courage and sacrifice of the Chosin Reservoir veterans have become a proud history of the US Marine Corps. The Republic of Korea Marine Corps will strengthen the solid ROK-US alliance to ensure your noble dedication is not in vain, and will defend the freedom and peace of this land."

Min Eun-hong, CEO of Starkist, the host of the event, shouted together with the attendees, "Freedom is not free," a phrase inscribed at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

Lee Gil-hyun, Minister for Veterans Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States, also presented a "Messenger of Peace" medal to a descendant of a Chosin Reservoir veteran.

Starkist, a seafood company headquartered in Reston, Virginia, had been sponsoring the veterans' dinner for the Battle of Chosin Reservoir even before it was acquired by Dongwon Group in 2008.

On the 4th (local time), Starkist, a subsidiary of Dongwon Group, hosted its annual dinner for veterans and descendants of the Korean War Battle of Chosin Reservoir at a hotel in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington. Veteran John McClain (94) poses for reporters. Yonhap News. 

Yonhap News