Army Invites Veteran Officers Who Participated in the Korean War and Vietnam War

President Park Jeonghwan Pays Tribute at National Daejeon Hyunchungwon Memorial

In commemoration of the Month of Patriots and Veterans, the Army invited Gap-class officers to pay respects at the National Daejeon Cemetery alongside General Park Jeong-hwan, Chief of Staff of the Army. Gap-class officers refer to the 45,424 Army officers produced by the Army Infantry School, starting from the 1st class cadets who entered in January 1950 to the 230th class commissioned on August 30, 1969.

At the event hosted by the Army Officer Alumni Association held at Gyeryongdae, Chungnam on the 13th, attendees are reviewing the Army Military Band and Honor Guard Battalion. (Photo by Army Headquarters)

According to the Army on the 13th, Lee Jang-heum (Retired Major General), president of the Gap-class Officers Alumni Association, and 11 other executives had a conversation and lunch with General Park Jeong-hwan before visiting the cemetery to console the spirits of their comrades. On this day, the Army dedicated a commemorative video recording the 70-year history and footsteps of the Gap-class officers to the veterans.

The Army stated, "This event was organized to reexamine the dedication of Gap-class officers to the nation and military, to honor the veterans, and to convey sincere gratitude and respect."

Gap-class officers accounted for 32% of the officers who participated in the Korean War and made up 66% of the officers who served in the Vietnam War, forming the core of junior officers for about 20 years during the early years of the Republic of Korea Army's establishment. However, after 1969, the training of Gap-class officers was discontinued, and with the Army Officer Academy becoming the main source of officer training, the contributions of Gap-class officers have not been sufficiently recognized despite their dedication.

Lee Jang-heum, president of the Gap-class Officers Alumni Association, expressed gratitude to the Army for not forgetting and warmly welcoming the veterans, and urged the younger officers, "Peace is not given freely; it can only be preserved through constant preparation and readiness. Please devote yourselves day and night for the nation and the people."