Lots in local newspapers noting the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, with the N&R replacing the LTE page with an in remembrance:
Sandwiched between World War II and the Vietnam War, the Korean “police action” gets less attention. Yet 36,000 Americans lost their lives. Another 92,000 were wounded and 8,000 missing in action.
Decades later, tensions remain high. This spring, North Koreans sank a South Korean warship, followed by threats of retaliation. More than 25,000 U.S. troops are stationed along a demilitarized zone separating them.
The face of Asia was forever changed. South Korea is an economic powerhouse while North Koreans scratch out a meager living.
With that in mind, Locker Room’s Bill Flanigen takes note of the politics of losing at soccer. Following its World Cup loss to Portugal, the North Korean soccer team will be assigned to their new occupation upon returning home.
On a personal note, I’ve become friendly with a Korean family over over the past year. I can only think that without those 36,000 men laying down their lives, they would not be enjoying the freedom their countrymen north of the 38th parallel can only dream about.
