Incheon, South Korea Mayor Jeongbok Yoo came to the Jersey City waterfront, joining host Mayor Steven Fulop and other city officials as they unveiled a new inscription on the Korean War Memorial.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
The new inscription outlines Incheon’s important role during the Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953. It also includes a drawing of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, who led U.S./United Nations forces during the war.
In the 1990s, the Korean War Veterans Association of Hudson County raised funds to build the memorial dedicated to the 117 men and women from 12 Hudson County communities killed during the Korean War.
“This is really a momentous event. It’s important to remember these past conflicts where many people lost their lives,” developer Joe Panepinto said.
He also explained that during the Battle of Incheon in September 1950, MacArthur led a bold landing of troops in Incheon behind occupied territory, which changed the tide of the war. He also indicated that was not originally commemorated in this memorial.
“It really did save the country, and the freedoms and democracy South Korea has become today,” Panepinto also remarked.
Fulop explained that as a Marine Corps recruit on Parris Island, the Battle of Incheon was emphasized during basic training.
“The Battle of Incheon is prominently highlighted. It is taught to every single recruit who comes through Parris Island. We’re thankful today to have the mayor here to greet him.”
“This is a special day. I used to come down here with [late Ward D Councilman] Michael Yun all the time and we used to talk about the Korean War. He’s up there looking down upon us today.” He was so proud of Korea. Michael, I was you were here,” said Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano
Yoo spoke in Korean as a translator followed his remarks in English.
“We have to work together. It is such a great honor and privilege to be dedicating this war memorial park here in Hudson County,” he spoke through the translator.
“I’d like to extend my deepest condolences and honor to our noble sacrifice of our Korean War Veterans. The UN allied forces came to Korea to defend our freedom and peace. Korea was on the brink of collapse. Incheon is an equivalent symbol of peace and freedom.”
Yoo also thanked Panepinto Development for their efforts, vowing to try and foster a stronger partnership with his counterparts in the Garden State.
“Incheon city will not forget the assistance you made for us. I look forward to further friendship between Incheon of Korea and New Jersey and Jersey City.”
“I am happy, and um it’s very touching to be here today,” state Senator Angela McKnight (D-31) said, noting that her later father was a Marine.
“He served in the Korean War. He always told me the stories of the bravery of so many soldiers,. We continuously fight for our freedom and all the men and women who served, your legacy lives on. My dad was a soldier that fought with Korea to make sure we have the freedom.”
Veterans Affairs Director Juliet Foster told HCV that Jersey City Health and Human Services director Stacey Flanagan worked to secure a $434,000 Enhancing Local Public Health Infrastructure (ELPHI) grant last year.
A portion of that grant will cover half of the cost, while Panepinto Development will pay for the other half. Foster declined to get into the specific financing for the project.
