Osan City and US 8th Army Hold Press Conference for Opening of Jungmyeongryeong Peace Park

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Osan Mayor Kwak Sang-wook held a press conference with Major Patrick J. Donahoe, Deputy Commander of the US 8th Army stationed in Korea, on the 6th at the Osan Jungmyeongryeong Peace Park to discuss the "Smith Unit Fallen Soldiers Memorial Service and Osan Jungmyeongryeong Peace Park Opening Ceremony" scheduled for July 5th.

The city plans to hold a memorial service for fallen soldiers of the Smith Unit and the official opening ceremony of the Osan Jungmyeongryeong Peace Park on July 5th this year, marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean War and the Battle of Jungmyeongryeong.

The Osan Jungmyeongryeong Peace Park began its project in 2015, commenced full-scale construction in 2018, was completed in December last year, and is currently operating on a trial basis.

Jungmyeongryeong is where the Smith Unit, as part of the UN forces, had its first engagement with North Korean forces during the Korean War, marking the starting point of the international community's full-scale participation as UN forces and becoming the catalyst for the Korean War to transform into an international conflict to defend the Republic of Korea's freedom and peace.

The Osan Jungmyeongryeong Peace Park was developed with a UN Forces Initial Battle Memorial Hall, the Smith Peace Hall, and a theme park serving as a rest area for citizens. The Smith Peace Hall is configured to allow visitors to experience the Battle of Jungmyeongryeong through first-person virtual reality, enabling people to once again feel the pain and scars of war and the preciousness of peace that has now become part of everyday life.

The park, which features thematic sculptural installations, honors the fallen soldiers and embodies aspirations for ultimate and permanent peace and reunification.

The opening ceremony will proceed under three themes: "Holding onto Memory. Holding onto Peace. Holding onto Tomorrow."

Meanwhile, prior to the press conference, Mayor Kwak Sang-wook received a plaque of appreciation from US 8th Army Commander Michael A. Bills.

Commander Bills conveyed his gratitude through the plaque, stating, "The Battle of Jungmyeongryeong was undervalued as a result of defeat. However, through the efforts of Osan City, the value of historical facts has been elevated and a peace park has been created that symbolically expresses freedom and peace."