The Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom visited York this week to pay his respects at the Korean War Memorial, honouring the memory of those who fought in one of the twentieth century’s most significant but often overlooked conflicts.
During his visit to York, which included a warm reception at the York Army Museum, His Excellency met with Korean War veterans and their families. This included members of The Royal Yorkshire Regiment and veterans of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, whose valiant service in Korea remains deeply valued by the Korean people.
It was soldiers of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment who served with distinction during the Korean War. As an antecedent regiment of today’s Royal Yorkshire Regiment, their legacy lives on in the proud history and traditions upheld by R YORKS soldiers today. That enduring bond continues to unite generations of service personnel and reinforces the Regiment’s connection to this important chapter of history.
The Ambassador said at the wreath-laying ceremony, “Today’s ceremony is a solemn reminder of the courageous British soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives in a distant land to defend the freedom of a people they had never met. We will never forget their bravery, and ceremonies like this reaffirm the enduring friendship between our two nations.”
Reflecting on the legacy of those who served, he added, “Although we can never fully repay our debt to these brave men and women, we will continue to take every opportunity to honour veterans and their families to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain.”
Following the visit, Ambassador Yoon Yeocheol conveyed his profound gratitude in a personal letter dated 12th May 2025 to Colonel Rhodes of The Royal Yorkshire Regiment. His Excellency reiterated his thanks for the kind support and warm welcome extended at the York Army Museum, and for the Regiment’s poignant participation in the wreath-laying ceremony. The Ambassador wrote that the event “showed our two countries’ solidarity and the mutual respect between us, which has only strengthened since the Korean War.” He also expressed his heartfelt hope that “the bravery and legacy of the veterans will continue to inspire soldiers of The Royal Yorkshire Regiment.”
This poignant moment in York, further highlighted by the Ambassador’s personal expressions of gratitude, was both a tribute to the past and a symbol of the lasting friendship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea.
