Seoul: Hanwha Group announced on Monday that it hosted a visit by U.S. veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War to its defense system production plants in South Korea as part of a government initiative to acknowledge their service and sacrifice.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the veterans toured Hanwha's production facilities in South Gyeongsang Province over a three-day period starting Thursday. The visit was coordinated in partnership with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
The delegation consisted of 85 participants, including notable figures such as Lois Rae Guin, a 98-year-old former U.S. Navy nurse who served on the USS Haven hospital ship, and Robert Max Martinez, a 94-year-old former U.S. Army sergeant. They were accompanied by U.S. Forces Korea service members and their families.
During their visit to Hanwha Aerospace Co.'s Changwon plant, the veterans witnessed demonstrations of the company's various weapons systems. They also had the opportunity to visit Hanwha Ocean Co.'s Geoje shipyard to observe naval vessel construction.
Many of the visitors expressed their amazement at South Korea's emergence as a global defense power, a sentiment echoed by the group.
"This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. As a leading defense company, Hanwha will continue to honor the heroes of the war and uphold the enduring values of the Korea-U.S. alliance," stated Moon Ji-hoon, executive vice president of Hanwha Aerospace.