Legacy of Korean War Veterans

“LAST SHIP IN THE HARBOUR”

Rear Admiral (Ret’d) J. Robert Lunney’s Interview

made by Korea Society

Jung Hee Seh, HooJung Jones Kennedy, Kyusik Kim

My mother Jung Hes Seh was saved by the US Merchant Naval Ship Meredith Victory along with 14,000 refugees and 5 babies (Kimchi 1, 2,3,4,5) born on the ship during the Christmas Eve 1950, Hungnam Evacuation, in the Korean War. The ship was a cargo ship thus only able to carry 12 passengers.

This ship is often called “Ship of Miracle” receiving the World Gunnies Book of Record.

Meredith Victory

Korean Refugees on the Meredith Victory

Captain Leonard Larue

Captain Larue became Brother Marinus

Please click the link below to read story of Captain Larue Meredith Victory.

Story of Captain Larue Meredith Victory

Meredith Victory Crew Members Merl Smith,

Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Robert Lunney, Burley Smith

Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Robert Lunney, President Moon Jae In,

The Republic of Korea, his parents and sister were also were

the Korean refugees on the Meredith Victory.

Monument to honour Captain Larue/ Brother Marinus

erected by President Moon Jae In at the Newton Abby

in New Jersey, New York, USA.

Thank you very much for your service during the Korean War.

We will remember them as our Korean War heroes.

Members of the Korea Veterans Association Unit 26 Hamilton

“2013 Year of Korean War Veterans”

Korean War Veterans KVA Unit 7, Ottawa with Hon. Yonah Martin, Senator

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, The Republic of Korea President Park Geun Hye

Legacy of the Korean War Veterans

As a Presidential Advisor of the National Unification Advisory Council Toronto Chapter, I had the pleasure of witnessing the historic event of the signing of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Republic of Korea President Park Geun Hye on Sept 22, 2014 at the Parliament.

The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement which establishes over $11 Billion trade between Canada and Korea will create a great economic benefit for both countries and further strengthens a diplomatic relationship as a strategic partner in a global stage. It will also have a positive impact on national security as well as the cultural and social exchanges of the two nations for many generations to come with a deep rooted mutual respect for each other.

HooJung Jones Kennedy, Major (Ret’d) Don Kennedy,

Ron Joyce, Korean War Naval Veteran (HMCS Iroquois)

Mr. Ron Joyce who was a former Hamilton police officer and co-founder of Tim Hortons served on HMCS Iroquois during the UN Peace Keeping Mission in 1954. He was ill and could not attend the ceremony on Nov 9th, 2014 thus, we were invited his office to present “Ambassador Peace Medal”. He brought a thick book of HMCS Iroquois pictures and stories that he compiled and explained his time in Korea as one of the fondest memories of his youth with a smile. I said that my father spoke only one word of English for 10 years “Extra Double-Double”.

It was our honour to organize and present the Ambassador Peace Medal to the Korean War Veterans and they are our heroes and true pioneers of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

The Republic of Korea is the 12th largest economic country in the world and 50 Million South Koreans enjoy freedom, peace and prosperity . We send our sincere appreciations to all 16 UN Nations’ Korean War Veterans and their family members. Their legacy will be remembered.

-HooJung Jones Kennedy- KVA Unit 26, Hamilton Project Director –

Our answers to support Bill C41 CKFTA

(Canada – Korea Free Trade Agreement)

1. Are there measures we can take to strengthen our economy in the face of global economic threats?

To invest on education, science technology, infrastructures and health care system to increase the competitive productivity. Our economy largely depends on the US market which has been in decline due to international trade deficits and the rising of oil thus, the careful analysis of US trade, markets and labour trends study must be combined.

2. Are there any cost-neutral or low-cost measures to further solidify our economic recovery and position Canada to prosper over the long-term?

Economic growth largely depends on these categories:

International Trade
Manufacturing
Agriculture
Education
Service related industries
Infrastructure
Health and Science
Innovation and creativity
Arts, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
IT development, advance science and technology

Canada’s distinctive advantage is natural resources and education. In order to prosper in the long-term, we need to be creative in our management of human capital which needs to be highly competitive in a global market. The key factors are education, research and development and nurturing the environment of creative economic engine-human resources. The right mix of policy makers’ vision and investment for next 5 to 10 years will help Canada’s positive shift towards the global economic leadership.

For international trade to increase our market , the policy makers need to study how to minimize the trade barriers.

3. In what areas should we look for more efficient and effective spending?

The federal, provincial, regional and municipal governments cross functions must be increased to minimize spending and to provide services to tax payers and investors.

4. How can the Government further encourage private sector growth and leadership in the economy?

Increase Canada’s productivity by immigration –highly educated and skilled labour
Remove the international and provincial trade barriers
Invest in Education, Universities, R&D, language training (in order to compete in the Global market)
Provide incentives and tax credit
Promote entrepreneurship and re-education for the labour force and youth education
Nurture science technology, arts, culture and heritage
Bottom- up approach must be integrated to lead Canada

The essences are Intention, determination and Vision to create a great Canada

Please click the link below to read the CK FTA Information and News Release

CanadaKoreafreetrade

Hon. Senator Yonah Martin News Release

BILL C-41: CANADA KOREA ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ACT RECEIVES ROYAL ASSENT

Bill C41 CKFTA

Our letter to support the Bill C41 CKFTA

Chair of the House of Commons Standing
Committee on International Trade

October 7, 2014

Dear Mr. Randy Hoback,

We are very excited about the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement which is a historic event for Canada and Korea. During the Korean War (1950-1953) and Peace Keeping Mission (1953-1955), over 30,000 Canadian soldiers fought for a country they had never heard of. On Land, Sea and Air, many Canadians helped to secure a lasting impact on Republic of Korea’s Peace and freedom and prosperity. 516 brave Canadian soldiers’ lives and the heartache of their family members were the supreme price of freedom. They were often known as the forgotten heroes of the forgotten War for many years. 378 Canadians are buried in the Busan UN cemetery in Korea and they are the true pioneers of the CK-FTA. 2013 was the “Year of Korea” and “Year of Canada” and “The Korean War Veterans Day”. Senator Yonah Martin’s Bill-213 was passed to commemorate July 27 as the “Korean War Veterans Day”.

The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement contains a deeper level than $10.8 Billion in trade and the increase of $1.7 Billion for Canada’s export which you already informed about by many other trade experts. It is a gateway to the Silk Road reaching into the East Asian region. The economic transition and benefits for Canada will be greater when we collaborate with the Republic of Korea. We are not only trading in the economic sense, we are building a historic and cultural relationship where active interchange of East and West’ ideas helps in harmonizing the 4346 years of Korea’s long history, agility, wisdom and beauty of people.

The key words for CK-FTA are not just an economic benefit it is also a people’s benefit. They are allies of Canada and this agreement will help to build a better Canada and with an impact on a global mission and many objectives for future generations. The visionary outlook of a flourishing relationship with collaboration which will have a positive impact on technology, education, advance technology, science, export in broad sectors, agriculture, Beef, Pork, lumber, building materials, fishery, telecommunications, Canada’s diverse culture, tourism and future artistic renaissance. We are optimistic that it will ignite a hidden potential that will serve as a guide for humanity and Human Rights.

Canada is a truly beautiful and peaceful country with a distinctive history, heritage and abundant natural resources. The people of Canada made the right choice to save a million innocent lives, including my parents, over 60 years ago during the Korean War. Korea has been reborn to be the world’s 14^th largest economy and 4^th largest economic power in Asia overcoming the devastation of the Korean War thanks to the 16 United Nations including Canada that helped to save the country. The International trade begins with a basic principle. Mutual trust of both countries must be met by a combination of National security and defence of the Nation in order to create a lasting relationship therefore, the Republic of Korea is the ideal International trade partner for Canada. ROI (Return on Investment) plays a large role in the International Trade and creating jobs is a realistic measurement and is an argument for support of this agreement. Especially, as one who is submitting a support letter however, we would like to stress on CROI. (Country’s Return on Investment) as a strategic partner and true friends who can count on each other’s’ support in a good times and in bad.

Many Koreans regard the Canadian Korean War veterans as their heroes and they have ultimate respect for them and their family members. The beautiful Ambassador Peace Medals are presented to the Korean War veterans or their family members if the veterans are deceased. We have first-hand experience presenting many medals to the Korean War veterans. This is a genuine example of Koreans’ gratitude. The certificate is signed by Park, Sung Choon, Patriots and Veterans Affairs Republic of Korean and Park, Se Hwan, General (Ret’d) ROK Army Chairman states that

“Ambassador for Peace” Official Proclamation

It is a great honour and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy.

We cherish in our hearts the memory of your boundless sacrifices in helping our Free Nations.

In grateful recognition of your dedicated contributions, it is our privilege to proclaim you an ”AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE” with every good wish of people of the Republic of Korea. Let each of us reaffirm our mutual respect and friendship that they may endure for generations to come.

We do not know of a better way to provide a letter of support for the Canada-Free Trade Agreement other than writing from the bottom of our hearts.

Best Regards,

HooJung Jones Kennedy and Major (Ret’d) Don Kennedy

Honourary Members of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada Unit 26