Gyeryong: Han Hee-na, a 96-year-old veteran of the Korean War, recently revisited the memories of his battlefield experiences by donating his handwritten wartime records to the Army Archives Management Group. Han, who volunteered for the South Korean army as a university student during the 1950-53 conflict, vividly recalled his time on the battlefields as he was invited to the Army headquarters in Gyeryong, located 145 kilometers south of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han's donation includes personal accounts of his experiences during the war, which he has been documenting since his 30s. These writings not only served as a personal archive but also formed the basis of his book, "The student ID card left behind by the war." His descriptions of the battles, such as those near Hajinbu-ri and Sokasa-ri in March 1951, have been confirmed to align well with the military's official records.
The Army has been working on a project to restore key military records from the Korean War, with 49,040 out of 81,420 pieces restored so far. This restoration process involves meticulous work to preserve the documents, including cleaning, refilling holes, and digitizing records using microfilm and scanning techniques.
An Army official emphasized the importance of preserving these records, which are over 50 years old, for future generations to remember the sacrifices made by soldiers like Han. The Korean War resulted in significant loss for the Army, with nearly 98 percent of the 137,899 deaths being Army troops.
Han expressed his gratitude for the Army's efforts in honoring the sacrifices of his comrades and hopes his story will inspire future generations to embrace selfless service to their country. His memories and contributions serve as a testament to the resilience and dedication of those who fought in the Korean War.