Fifty-five years after the end of the Korean War five Norwegian War-Veterans returned to the country where they served a half a century ago. None of them had visited South-Korea since they left, and their meeting with South-Korea today, in remembrance of what happened during the war, was unforgettable.
Returning to NORMASH
The Norwegian Veterans Doctor Peter Lexow, Mr. Kjell Holthe, Mr. Kolbjørn Sønsteby, Mr. Per Øverland and Mrs. Kari Roll Klepstad all served at the NORMASH (Norwegian Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) during the Korean War. The NORMASH was located in Tongduchon, a city not far from the North-Korean border. Today there is a special Norwegian Monument at the Freedom Protection Peace Museum in Tongduchon, which the Norwegians visited for laying of wreaths. The Major of Tongduchon also participated in the ceremony. July 27th the armistice agreement was signed in 1953, and on the 55th anniversary for the ending of Korean war the five war-veterans returned to NORMASH. For the veterans it was a very special meeting, even though nothing looked the same.
During their ten days journey in Korea the Veterans also visited the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan. There was held an honouring ceremony for the soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the freedom of the South-Korean People, including a Norwegian soldier being buried in Busan.
Norwegian veterans and conscripts in a special ceremony at the Norwegian Monument in Tongduchon. Photo: Audun Aas
623 in total
The decision to send their support to the South-Koreans and the United Nation troops was made by the Norwegian Government in 1951. Two months later the first Norwegian troops left for South-Korea to serve in the war. The Norwegians stayed throughout the war, and the NORMASH was active until 1954. 623 Norwegian men and women in total, served at the hospital during the war, helping 400 wounded soldiers daily.
For the Norwegian Veterans it was an overwhelming experience to return to Korea after 55 years. They were all surprised and impressed to see the major changes that South-Korea has gone through.
- The changes are incredible. To leave a poor, underdeveloped country and then return to a highly technological industrialized country 54 years later feels special, Veteran Mr. Kolbjørn Sønsteby told journalist Caroline Lunde. Mr. Sønsteby served as a guard at NORMASH 1953-1954.
Kolbjørn Sønsteby served at NORMASH during the Korean War. Photo: Erling Eikli
Special relationship
Travelling with the Veterans to South-Korea were also participants from the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, the Norwegian Armed Forces Medical Services and from the Norwegian Veteran Administration. Most importantly five young conscripts were selected to accompany the five veterans, after applying for participation. The opportunity to come along gave them the possibility too see and understand how their country contributed during the Korean war, and to realize the special relationship existing between Norway and South-Korea.