Restoration and Permanent Preservation of Over 80,000 Military Records
From War Documents to Literacy Education Materials
The Army has unveiled the site of its "Major Historical Records Restoration Project" in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Korean War.
According to the Army on June 24, the previous day, the Army Records and Information Management Division at Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong Province, opened the restoration site to the public. The Major Historical Records Restoration Project is an initiative to restore and permanently preserve 81,420 military records from the Korean War, which have been designated as "National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 787." This project is being carried out under the supervision of the Army Records and Information Management Division and is scheduled to continue until 2032.
"National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 787," which holds the distinction of being the first war records registered as national heritage among modern and contemporary war records, consists of various documents created by Army Headquarters, corps, divisions, and rear units during the war. These records comprehensively include detailed operational plans, orders, and instructions drawn up for combat operations, as well as battle reports, operation diaries, field diaries, and heroic tales that provide detailed accounts of combat progress.
The Army explained, "These are primary sources that most accurately convey the circumstances of the Korean War and are invaluable materials that help those living today understand the war."
However, over the past 70 years, these records have suffered significant damage due to yellowing, acidification, crumbling, creasing, warping, contamination, and discoloration. The Army Records and Information Management Division is working to secure the durability and legibility of these materials and enhance their preservation by performing cleaning, filling in missing parts, deacidification, and flattening processes before transferring them to storage. To date, a total of 40,422 records have been restored.
Among the materials unveiled by the Army on this day were detailed documents recording enemy conditions, terrain, operational plans, and unit deployments from major battles such as the Nakdong River Defense Battle, the Dabudong District Battle, and the Baekma Hill Battle. A massive operations map, measuring 1.6 meters and stored in the preservation archive, was also revealed. This map documents the movement routes of the 6th Division's command post for approximately two years, starting from June 25, 1950, when the war began. It is an important record that provides a comprehensive view of the 6th Division's retreats and advances, as well as the intense offensives and counteroffensives.
Other materials made public included the operational order issued by the Eighth U.S. Army Commander to U.S. and South Korean forces prior to the "Third Chinese Offensive," an operational overview and troop deployment map from the Arrowhead Hill Battle, and the operational order from the Jangsa Landing Operation, which is well known for the participation of student soldiers.
Records currently undergoing restoration were also disclosed. These include 66 field diaries being restored, which contain battle reports from the Kuwolsan Guerrilla Unit active in Hwanghae Province and notes that soldiers wrote in their personal notebooks. Rare records were also introduced, such as certificates of commendation issued during the 6th Division's battle at Yongmunsan as part of literacy education for illiterate soldiers, demonstrating efforts to maintain daily life even amid fierce combat.
The materials restored by the Army Records and Information Management Division have been digitized and compiled into a total of 57 volumes of "Korean War Historical Records." These materials can be accessed through various institutions, including the National Library of Korea and the National Assembly Library.
Ju Yongseon, Director of the Army Records and Information Management Division (Deputy Director-General), stated, "The Major Historical Records Restoration Project is an initiative to widely promote the excellence of the Army's record culture and to provide foundational materials for passing down history to future generations. The Army Records and Information Management Division will do its utmost to preserve the valuable record heritage of the Republic of Korea and to further enhance the historicity and symbolism of the Army."
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