The American Korean Friendship Society (AKFS) has stated that it will place a “gratitude ad” on billboards along highways in six major U.S. cities—Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles (LA)—before the anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement (July 27). These billboards are large advertisements commonly viewed while driving on U.S. highways. Supported by Hyundai Motor, this initiative seeks to express appreciation from Koreans to about 1.5 million vehicles that pass through highways each day. The campaign started in 1996 and has been ongoing for three decades.
The organization said, “The sacrifices made by U.S. troops during the Korean War helped achieve the mission of saving half of the Korean Peninsula from North Korean communists,” and added, “As a result, 50 million Koreans gained freedom and their country.” It also mentioned, “The price was high, with 36,568 U.S. service members losing their lives and 103,284 injured,” and announced plans to hold a memorial event on July 24 at the Duluth Payne-Colli House in Georgia to pay tribute to veterans through the presentation of flower offerings. Survivors, the Atlanta Consulate General, and officials from the Georgia state government are expected to be present.
Chairman Park Seon-geun remarked, “Hyundai Motor Group’s sponsorship will double the reach of our advertisements, and roughly 1.5 million vehicles traveling on U.S. highways each day will pass by our appreciation billboards.” Chairman Park, a Korean-American entrepreneur, has been instrumental in efforts to construct a “Memorial Wall” in central Seoul, featuring the names of approximately 40,000 UN veterans. Frank Blake, the association’s chairman, noted, “Although the Korean War is frequently referred to as the ‘Forgotten War,’ no one has overlooked its sacrifices,” and added, “Koreans acknowledge that America’s support and dedication were crucial to their achievement of becoming one of the world’s top 10 economies and standing as a steadfast ally with the U.S. in upholding global peace and stability.”
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