A delegation from the United Nations Peace Forces of the Korean War Memorial Federation (UPKMP) will be visiting the Netherlands, March 19-22, as part of a tour taking them to the 16 nations that supported the UN action in what became known as the Korean War. UPF-NL is helping facilitate their visit. An explanation of the reason for their visit and their schedule is included below. For more information, contact Christopher Davies.

On behalf of the United Nations Peace Forces of the Korean War Memorial Federation (UPKMP), we invite you to a banquet lunch on Monday, March 21, 1300 hrs., at Hotel De Buunderkamp, Buunderkamp 8, Wolfheze. Attendees will include a delegation of UPKMP officers visiting The Netherlands, Vereniging Oud Korea Strijders (V.O.K.S. - www.voxvoks.nl ) dignitaries, a former Dutch Minister of Defense and members of the Korean community in The Netherlands; and there will be a number of welcoming addresses and speeches and the showing of a video of UPKMP’s activities.

UPKMP is a federation of people and groups that extol and laud the heroic service and spirit of sacrifice of UN soldiers who offered their lives for the great cause of global peace and freedom while participating in the Korean War, which broke out on June 25, 1950. UPKMP was founded in 2004, following a proposal of the Reverend Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, world renowned peace activists, at the December 13, Washington Times Foundation Special Breakfast, "Building Our Common Legacy: Faith, Family, Freedom, and Peace - Centered on God", that coincided with the Universal Peace Federation’s Fourth World Summit on Leadership and Good Governance - UPF Conferences : 4th World Summit – in Washington D.C. UPKMP aspires to contribute to global peace and the prosperity of the human race by expressing gratitude and respect to the fallen heroes, war bereaved and deceased and surviving veterans.

Even though the Korean government and private organizations have been inviting war veterans to Korea every year, there are many who have still not been back. Some are now too old to make the trip and, as time goes by, more and more are passing away. UPKMF's visit is necessary, to testify that their spirit deserves praise.

The UPKMF delegation is visiting the sixteen nations that contributed to the UN forces during the Korean War to say thank you, in particular to those who cannot return to the country of their sacrifice, and to solidify friendships with all veterans’ associations.

We hope to welcome you in Wolfheze on Wednesday, March 20.

Sincerely yours,
Wim Koetsier, on behalf of Chul Seung Lee, President, UPKMF

P.S. You might also like to attend other UPKMF delegation activities, see pages following.

Schedule of the UPKMF delegation visit to The Netherlands

March 19 Arrival in Amsterdam

March 20 Visits to places and groups of interest in Amsterdam 20.00. Universal Peace Federation World Peace Tour VI event in Amsterdam

March 21, Wolfheze Visits to mueums and other places of interest 11.00. Schaarsbergen War Memorial Ceremony – please indicate on Answer Form if wishing to attend 13.00. Banquet Lunch

March 22 Departure for Belgium after breakfast

UPKMF's first project was a convention, in Seoul, Korea, July 25–30, 2005, of 200 veterans and their families from the 16 nations that contributed to the UN Korean War contingent. It was the first post war return to Korea for half of the participants, who expressed amazement on seeing the great development of this nation, which they had protected with their blood and sweat.

The first nation chosen for this tour was the Republic of South Africa, which is also the homeland of General John E. Lello, president of the International Federation of Korean War Veterans Association (IFKWVA). UPKMF President Chul-seung Lee and the Federation’s executives - Gap-chong Chi (advisor), Dae-o Son (vice-president), Sun-min Lee (secretary general) - made an official visit to the capital, Pretoria, and Cape Town, November 19 to 27, 2006. They there met with Under-Secretary of Defense, Mluleki George, and Korean Ambassador to South Africa, Mr. Kyun-seob Kim, to explain briefly about the UPKMF visit and talk about strengthening friendship between the two countries.

February 7-14, the delegation visited Sydney and Canberra in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand. In Canberra, the delegation met with Mr. Bruce Billson, the Minister of Returned Service League (RSL) at the Parliament House, and was invited to ‘Question Time’ to see debate between the Prime Minister, John Howard and other Members of Parliament.

At each place, they visited, the delegation conducted a wreath laying ceremony for the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Korean War and conveyed their appreciation on behalf of the Korean people to the war veterans during welcoming banquets that took place in each location. The local war veterans warmly welcomed the delegation and thanked them for remembering them and coming to see them.

The UPKMF delegation is now visiting the remaining thirteen nations, during March and April 2007. After the tour, they will return to Korea and host a convention in July, 2007.

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