By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- Officials from South Korea, the United States and other countries that participated in the 1950-53 Korean War called for greater solidarity among them during a forum in Washington on Thursday, as the world faces a raft of security challenges, including North Korea's advancing military threats.

South Korea's Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs held the International Conference on Veterans Affairs in the U.S. capital, marking the first time that the annual forum has taken place outside South Korea. Some 200 people, including officials from France, Turkey, the Philippines and Thailand, joined the event.

The ministry has held the event since 2005 to promote policy exchanges and cooperation among the countries whose troops fought under the U.N. banner to defend South Korea during the Korean War.

In opening remarks, South Korea's Vice Veterans Minister Kang Yun-jin highlighted Seoul's "profound" gratitude to the 22 nations that provided combat troops, or medical and other forms of support during the war.

"The sacrifice, dedication and courage demonstrated by these veterans during the Korean War are precious values that must never be forgotten," she said. "Let us work together to discuss meaningful ways to honor and remember our veterans."

She also underscored the "profound significance" in choosing the U.S. as the first overseas venue for the ministry's conference, noting that the event took place as the U.S. celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence.

"In my view, the defining value of the U.S. 250th anniversary is freedom, and the Korean War stands as one of its finest examples," she said.

"Seventy-six years ago when Korea faced a grave crisis following the invasion of communist forces that threatened freedom, the U.S. was the first to respond and deploy the largest number of troops and defend freedom."

During the conference, Jennifer Walsh, the principal deputy director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, pointed out the agency's commitment to fulfilling its promise to U.S. service members: "We will not leave a fallen comrade." POW and MIA stand for prisoner of war and missing in action, respectively.

She said that of the 7,359 U.S. troops unaccounted for from the Korean War, her agency estimates that it can recover over 7,000.

"This provides the families and all of us (with) hope and the motivation to do all we can to bring these heroes home. Unfortunately, time is not on our side," she said. "An important element of holding up our sacred mission is honoring and supporting the families waiting for their missing loved ones."

During the forum, Seoul-based diplomats of the countries that participated in the war sent video messages that pointed out Korean War veterans' sacrifices laid the foundation for freedom and peace.

"I gained a deep appreciation for the shared sacrifice of our veterans who stood shoulder to shoulder in defense of freedom," Jim Heller, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, said.

Ashley Mulroney, chargé d'Affaires at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul, said that the courage, sacrifice and dedication of those who served during the war helped secure the freedom the world cherishes.

"This forum also reminds us of the enduring friendship and cooperation among our nations forged through shared challenges and strengthened by common values," she said.

sshluck@yna.co.kr

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