By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter

When the Korean War (1950-53) broke out on June 25, the government had to retreat from the North’s attack and relocate its capital to the southern port city of Busan. To recapture Seoul, United States Gen.

Douglas MacArthur led a counterattack ― the Incheon Landing Operation. On Sept. 15, U.N. coalition forces ― 261 aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and other vessels from eight countries ― and some 75,000 Korean and American marines and infantrymen hit Incheon.

In command was Arthur Dewey Struble, an expert in amphibious warfare. The forces landed on Green Beach, Wolmi-do Island; Red Beach, Manseokdong; and Blue Beach, Song-do; and were able to declare the capture of Seoul by Sept. 28.

On Sept. 15, 1984, a memorial commemorating the historic event was unveiled in Yeonsu-gu. The monument honors those sacrificed in the landing and aims to educate the younger generations.

The memorial hall itself measures 19,285 square feet and sits on 262,000 square feet of land. It introduces the historical background of the Korean War and exhibits military arms and uniforms used at the time, as well as documents related to the Incheon operation.

Also displayed are North Korean military gear and weapons. Students can learn more about the operation through films that are on display. Every weekend, various cultural events take place at an outdoor theater.

In time for June, Remembrance Month, many veterans visit the memorial, like Park Jea-ung, 80, who was part of the 12th Company, 3rd Battalion, 28th Regiment of the 9th Division ― which was known as the “goblin’s squad.”

“After one week of training I was dispatched to the most fierce battle, I don’t know how I survived. Comrades running ahead of me fell one by one from bullet shots, but we had no choice but to keep moving ahead.

We were at the beach and the seawater was colored red by the men’s blood,” Park recalled, emphasizing that war should never break out no matter what. “I was moved to hospital after I was wounded by an explosion, and I still remember my friend, Jo Hang-jun, who died trying to save wounded men,” he said, with his eyes tearing up.

Admission to the Memorial Hall for the Incheon Landing Operation is free. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Mondays. Call (032)