War vets to meet S. Korean president
The visiting leader will lay a wreath at Punchbowl cemetery
Hilo native Tsuyoshi "Nick" Nishimoto is one of 20 Korean War veterans who will have their pictures taken with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, the leader of the country they helped defend more than 50 years ago.
The activities will occur when Roh presents a wreath tomorrow at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific honoring American soldiers who fought in the Korean War.
Nishimoto said he believes the Korean Consulate General selected him because of his work organizing activities and events the past 15 years for other former prisoners of war who visit Hawaii during National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.
On Nov. 27, 1950, Nishimoto and nearly every member of the 25th Infantry Division's B Company, 35th Infantry Regiment, were captured by Chinese soldiers 60 miles north of Pyongyang, North Korea.
On Aug. 11, 1953, their Chinese captors released Nishimoto and his fellow soldiers. He returned to Hawaii, went to school to become a mechanic and rejoined the Army until he retired in 1973.
In stopping off at Honolulu, Roh is on his way back to Korea from an International Olympic Committee meeting in Guatemala. PyeongChang, east of Seoul, is bidding to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Before leaving Friday, Roh is scheduled to meet with members of Hawaii's Korean community.
Honolulu police will provide an escort for Roh's motorcade as he travels in Honolulu, and there may be some traffic disruption.