PM vows to defend freedom, peace based on solid alliance with US

South Korea will safeguard freedom and peace based on the solid alliance with the United States and cooperation with participant countries in the 1950-53 Korean War without forgetting the sacrifices they made to help repel invading North Korean troops, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Monday.

Han made the remark in an address marking the United Nations Day, saying South Korea owes tremendously to the international community and one of the ways to repay the debts is to be on the forefront in efforts to maintain international peace and provide humanitarian assistance.

"When the Republic of Korea (ROK) was in a critical crisis due to North Korea's invasion 76 years ago, the international community showed swift solidarity.

More than 1.98 million young people from 22 countries, including the U.S., rushed over to the ROK, which they knew little of, under the single-minded determination to defend freedom and peace," Han said.

"The ROK will never forget these lofty sacrifices," she said.

Han also said South Korea will treat every veteran of the Korean War with the highest courtesy, expand exch ...