[War & Business] The Unknown Soldier of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

On the 1st (local time), the European Union (EU) flag, the symbol of the European flag, was displayed at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. The French government raised it on the 31st of last month to commemorate the start of France's EU presidency term, but it was taken down the next day amid growing opposition. Paris, France = AFP·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Arc de Triomphe, along with the Eiffel Tower, is one of the iconic symbols of Paris, the capital of France, and it has been embroiled in controversy since the beginning of the new year. The controversy began when the European Union (EU) flag was hoisted on the Arc de Triomphe to commemorate France’s presidency of the EU from January to June this year.

Conservative factions in France collectively opposed the government’s display of the EU flag, insisting that only the French national flag, the Tricolor, should be flown on the Arc de Triomphe. Public opinion was also unfavorable, to the extent that the EU flag had to be removed just two days after it was raised. There was also criticism that flying the EU flag on the Arc de Triomphe was an act of disrespect toward the veterans who fought to protect France.

The reason for such strong opposition from the French people is that the Arc de Triomphe is not just a symbol of Paris but also the resting place of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This tomb was established by the French government in 1920 to honor the souls of soldiers who fought in World War I, and commemorative ceremonies are still held annually on November 18, the anniversary of the end of World War I.

The Arc de Triomphe itself was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon Bonaparte to honor soldiers who died in the wars following the French Revolution. Not only were annual ceremonies held by the French military at the monument, but parades commemorating the storming of the Bastille during the 1789 French Revolution were also held here. It served as a space to memorialize all citizens who sacrificed their lives during the founding of the French Republic.

At the government level, France even imposed height restrictions on buildings in the city to ensure the Arc de Triomphe could be seen from anywhere. These height restrictions, which prevented buildings taller than the approximately 50-meter-high Arc de Triomphe, lasted until the 20th century, resulting in no buildings in the old city of Paris exceeding the height of the monument.

The historical significance and authority of the Arc de Triomphe were respected even by enemy forces that invaded France. When Nazi Germany occupied Paris in 1940, the German troops conducted a detour march without passing under the Arc de Triomphe. It is said that Adolf Hitler personally ordered that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Arc must never be trampled upon during his entry into Paris.

This history of the Arc de Triomphe starkly contrasts with the behavior of South Korean politicians who only visit national cemeteries when elections are imminent. In reality, the treatment of fallen soldiers is shamefully inadequate; for example, soldiers who died in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong in 2002 were classified as “died in the line of duty” rather than “killed in action” due to the absence of a “killed in action” category in the Military Pension Act, and it took 16 years before compensation procedures as war casualties began. All politicians ahead of the presidential election should remember that fair treatment of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country is the most fundamental step toward creating a just society.