# Busan to Host Annual International Memorial Day for UN Korean War Veterans

> South Korea will hold its annual memorial ceremony in Busan on November 11 to honor veterans who fought during the 1950-53 Korean War.

- Published: 2026-11-10T00:57:02.000Z
- Category: world
- Synthesized from 2 outlets: [Yonhap News](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261110002800315), [The Korea Times](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/people-events/20261110/intl-memorial-day-for-un-korean-war-veterans-to-be-held-in-busan?utm_source=rss)
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The South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced that the annual International Memorial Day for U.N. Korean War Veterans will take place this Wednesday in Busan. The ceremony, held at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery, honors those who fought alongside South Korean forces under the U.N. flag during the 1950-53 conflict. The event is scheduled to coincide with the annual observance held every November 11.

**Why it matters:** The ceremony serves as a formal recognition of the international coalition that fought in the Korean War. By maintaining the U.N. Memorial Cemetery and holding annual tributes, South Korea continues to honor the legacy of the 1950-53 conflict, which remains technically unresolved as it ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.

## Ceremony Details and Traditions

The event, themed "A Moment to Be One, Turn Toward Busan," is expected to host approximately 1,000 attendees. This group includes Korean War veterans and their families from six participating nations, foreign diplomats, U.N. Command service members, and members of the public. At 11 a.m., a memorial siren will sound across Busan, followed by a one-minute silence and a 21-gun salute to pay tribute to the fallen. Key attendees will also participate in a wreath-laying ceremony.

## Historical Context and Designation

The tradition of a one-minute silence toward the Busan memorial cemetery began in 2007, following a proposal by Canadian veteran Vincent Courtenay. In March 2020, South Korea passed a law officially designating November 11 as the International Memorial Day for U.N. Korean War Veterans. The Korean War itself concluded with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty.

### Timeline

- **1950-53** — The Korean War took place, ending in an armistice.
- **2007** — Canadian veteran Vincent Courtenay proposed a one-minute silence toward the Busan memorial cemetery.
- **March 2020** — South Korea passed a law officially designating November 11 as the International Memorial Day for U.N. Korean War Veterans.

**Key points**

- The memorial ceremony is held at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan, located 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
- The event honors veterans who fought against North Korean forces during the 1950-53 conflict.
- Approximately 1,000 people are expected to attend the commemoration.
- The tradition of a one-minute silence toward the cemetery was initiated by Canadian veteran Vincent Courtenay in 2007.
- November 11 was formally established as the official memorial day by South Korean law in March 2020.