07/23/2026
Nation’s Most Prominent Korean War Armistice Day Commemoration Held at the U.S. Capitol
Annual event honors the sacrifices of veterans and reaffirms hope for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula
WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 22, 2026 — The 19th Annual National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day Commemoration was held on July 21 in the Cannon Caucus Room of the U.S. House of Representatives. Established in 2008, the event has grown into the nation’s largest and most prominent Korean War Armistice Day commemoration.
This year, approximately 400 Korean War veterans, Members of Congress, military and diplomatic leaders, and members of the Korean American and broader community gathered to honor the service and sacrifice of Korean War veterans and reaffirm their hope for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) and U.S. Representatives Grace Meng (D-NY), Dave Min (D-CA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Zach Nunn(R-IA), and Young Kim (R-CA) delivered remarks recognizing the service and sacrifice of Korean War veterans and underscoring the enduring strength of the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance.
Rep. Grace Meng and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) were recognized with the 'Champion of Korean War Veterans and Peace on the Peninsula' Award for their longstanding support of Korean War veterans, the Korean American community, and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Lee Gil-hyun, Director General of the Republic of Korea Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and Consul General Moon Minsuk of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea presented the Ambassador for Peace Medal. Rep. Zach Nunn accepted the medal on behalf of his grandfather, Emmett “Skip” Martin, who served in the U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal during the Korean War.
Kathleen Dezio, Ray Laturno, and John Cadisal also accepted medals on behalf of their family members. Sgt. Ashenafi Kebede, who served in Ethiopia’s famed Kagnew Battalion during the Korean War, received the medal in person and gave brief remarks and a powerful salute.
At 7:27 p.m., attendees participated in the annual candlelighting ceremony accompanied by cellist Hannah Hwawon Lee’s performance of Arirang, honoring Korean War veterans, those who were killed or remain missing in action, and the families still separated by the Korean War, while renewing their hope for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The evening also featured the VFW Post 1177 Color Guard, performances by students from the Hwarang Youth Foundation and the , a special photo exhibition (Project Soldier: Searching for Korean War Veterans) by photographer Projectsoldier Rami Hyun, and a United Nations Hanbok Fashion Show, jointly presented by the Korean War Veterans Support Foundation and the GREAT KOREA FOUNDATION, showcasing traditional Korean attire representing the United Nations nations that fought in the Korean War and honoring the friendship and sacrifice of the 22 allied nations that defended freedom and peace.
Since 2008, Remember727 has organized the annual commemoration. In recent years, the event has been co-hosted by the Korean American Grassroots Conference - KAGC, the Council of Korean Americans (CKA), and the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI). This year’s partner organizations included Hwarang International, The Korea Society, the Korean American Institute, and Chariots of Honor. Rep. Young Kim served as the honorary sponsor, joined by the three other Korean American Congressmembers and the Congressional Korean American Staff Association. sponsored the reception.
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***National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day is observed annually on July 27 to commemorate the signing of the Korean War Armistice Agreement in 1953. The observance was established through the Korean War Veterans Recognition Act, sponsored by Congressman Charles B. Rangel and signed into law by President Barack Obama on July 27, 2009, as Public Law 111-41. Remember727 initiated and spearheaded the grassroots effort to create the national observance.***
Photo credit: Peter Lee
