Hope Engraved in a Park: Peace Korea

The last Monday of May in the United States is Memorial Day. Much like Korea's Memorial Day, it is a day set aside to remember those who gave their lives in military service. Across the country, people visit cemeteries and veterans memorials, placing flowers and American flags in honor of those who sacrificed for their nation. More than just a holiday, it is a time to reflect on the meaning of freedom and peace.

Korea will soon observe its own Memorial Day on June 6. At 10 a.m., sirens sound across the nation, and people pause to remember those who dedicated their lives to protecting the country. While the traditions may differ, Memorial Day in the United States and Korea share a common purpose: honoring sacrifice and expressing gratitude. Korea’s observances are often solemn and national in scale, while in the United States remembrance is deeply woven into community and family life.

One of the things that has impressed me most while living in America is the respect shown to veterans. It is not unusual to see people applaud service members in uniform or to find veterans recognized at local events. Americans remember them in many ways. These gestures are not about celebrating war. Rather, they are expressions of respect for those who served and sacrificed. Veterans of the Korean War continue to be honored, and their stories remain part of the nation’s shared memory.

Seventy-six years ago, countless young Americans crossed the Pacific to fight for Korea, a country that was unfamiliar to many at the time. Many never returned home, and those who did often carried the scars of war for the rest of their lives. Through their sacrifice and the support of the international community, Korea overcame the devastation of war and grew into a vibrant democracy and a leading global economy. The freedom and peace we enjoy today were built upon their dedication and sacrifice. For this reason, the memory of the Korean War is not merely a part of the past, but an important foundation for understanding Korea today. 

On May 25, Memorial Day, I visited a small neighborhood park near my home. Located in Upper Arlington, Ohio, it is an ordinary place where families take walks and children play. Yet in one corner stands a memorial honoring veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. For me, as a Korean, seeing the words “KOREAN WAR” in a small neighborhood park in the United States was a meaningful experience. It was more than a reminder of a past conflict. It made me reflect on the people whose dedication and sacrifice helped preserve freedom and peace.

The United States and Korea share the painful history of the Korean War. Yet that memory does not belong only to the past. The words “KOREAN WAR,” engraved in places like Upper Arlington, honor those who sacrificed their lives while also passing on the values of freedom and peace to future generations. What we should remember is not the war itself, but the Korea of today that emerged from it. I hope that the peace Korea and the United States have built together will continue for generations to come. Perhaps that is the hope held within this small park and the meaning of Peace Korea.