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Late Korean, French veterans named Korean War heroes of May

Published: 30 Apr. 2026, 17:19

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul speaks during an event commemorating student independence activists in Gwangju on Nov. 3. [YONHAP]

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs appointed the late staff sergeant Kim Young-deok and late French Army Lt. Col. Ralph Monclar as the Korean War heroes of May in recognition of their service during the 1950-53 Korean War on Thursday.

Kim, who enlisted in the Korean Army in 1952 to serve in the 8th Infantry Division, died while fighting Chinese troops to gain control of the enemy line in May 1953, according to the Veterans Ministry.

He was promoted by one rank and posthumously awarded the Hwarang Order of Military Merit, a primary military decoration.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Monclar held the rank of lieutenant general at the time of the Korean War, but he took a voluntary demotion to command the French battalion alongside the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division.

Under harsh conditions, Monclar led his battalion during the battle of Chipyong-ni in Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi, where they faced a massive wave of Chinese forces in the county from Feb. 13 to 16, 1951.

Monclar was awarded the Legion of Merit, a U.S. decoration awarded to citizens of other nations, in recognition of his achievements that led to the victory in the battle in 1952.

Yonhap