 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COMAt the Veterans War Memorial of the Pacific at Punchbowl yesterday, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, second from left, and his wife, Kwon Yang-sook, stood at attention with Gene Castagnetti, second from right, and Gov. Linda Lingle as the Korean national anthem was played. CLICK FOR LARGE |
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S. Korean president meets with isle veterans
Veterans welcome the presence of the South's president
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South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun meets today with members of the Korean community in Hawaii.
Roh arrived in Honolulu yesterday while returning from an International Olympic Committee meeting in Guatemala, where he failed to secure the 2014 Winter Olympics for his country.
He met with 18 Korean War veterans at a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, where he was greeted by state officials, a cannon-fire salute and South Korean flags flying across the fields. Roh took a photo opportunity with the veterans, who were honored to meet the head of the country they fought for more than 50 years ago.
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Korean War veteran Tsuyoshi "Nick" Nishimoto did not want to meet South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun yesterday to attain closure.
"There will never be closure," said the 78-year-old former prisoner of war, "because there were too many guys we left behind."
Despite the tearful revisiting of painful memories, Nishimoto said it was an honor for Roh to pay his respects to the fallen.
Roh and his wife, Kwon Yang-sook, attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl yesterday afternoon.
On arrival, Roh was greeted by dozens of Korean and American government agents, cannon-fire salutes and state officials, including Gov. Linda Lingle.
The cemetery was closed to the public throughout the afternoon. South Korean and American flags flew across the cemetery.
Roh then shook hands and took a photo with 18 Korean War veterans who attended the ceremony, including Nishimoto. He made no public remarks, but is expected to meet today with members of the Korean community in Hawaii.
 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COMSouth Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and wife Kwon Yang-sook greeted isle Korean War veterans yesterday at the Veterans War Memorial of the Pacific at Punchbowl. CLICK FOR LARGE |
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"I'm glad I was able to bring two other POWs with me to share in this," said Nishimoto, who was captured by Chinese soldiers in 1950 near Pyongyang while he was in the 25th Infantry Division.
Davie Cho is no fan of Roh's soft stance on North Korea. As a Korean army veteran of the war, Cho said he does not agree that South Korea should bend toward North Korea's will.
"They're a communist country and we are about democracy," said the 75-year-old Cho, president of the Korean Military Honor Medalist As- sociation. "Still, it is very respectful that he is able to come here."
After Roh laid the wreath, he visited a section of the cemetery where 864 unknown servicemen from the Korean War are buried.
"I'm especially sad coming here, as I do every year, to reflect on these men who fought for my country," Cho said.
Nishimoto, now 78, agreed and said it does not get easier for him even after 15 years of organizing events for former prisoners of war.
"It warms my heart to see the Korean flags waving next to the American flags," Nishimoto said. "It makes me proud that we all fought, so now the two flags can fly side by side."
