The following message was distributed by Senator Yonah Martin, Korea’s Consul General to Canada:

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Hello everyone,

SPECIAL NOTICE: The Battle of Kapyong (Gapyeong) Virtual Commemoration on April 24, 2020

I hope this finds you well. In Canada and around the world, we continue to face challenging times as we navigate our way through the COVID-19 crisis. Our hearts also go out to the victims, their families and communities of the recent tragedy in Nova Scotia. My staff and I continue to pray for your health and safety as well.

As you know, 2020 marks the start of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Years, which will be commemorated over the next 3 years across Canada, Korea and the world. This week marks the 69th anniversary of the historic Battle of Kapyong or Gapyeong (April 23-25th, 1951). NOTE: The Commonwealth brigade began preparations on April 22; Canadians, outnumbered and surrounded, began fighting on April 23 and successfully defended their position throughout the nights of April 24 & 25. The Battle of Kapyong is one of Canada’s greatest military achievements of the Korean War. The soldiers of the 2nd Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry persevered in the face of great adversity to help prevent a potentially costly defeat for the South Korean and UN forces. Their heroic efforts did not go unnoticed with the Americans awarding them the United States Presidential Unit Citation—a very rare honour for a Canadian unit.

Since there are strict restrictions against public gatherings during this time, this email is to inform you about the Battle of Kapyong Virtual Commemoration, which was prepared by our office in consultation with Korean War Commemorative Committees (KWCC) across Canada and the Korean War Commemorative Alliance (of BC) that also include veterans of the Korean War.

The Battle of Kapyong Virtual Commemoration – on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 11:00am (local time)

At home, in your yard or at an appropriate location (staying within the rules of the social/physical distancing measures), turn toward Korea (face west) to where the Battle of Kapyong and the Korean War took place. Follow the full order of ceremony (attached) or pause for a moment of silence, to pay tribute to the 10 fallen Canadians of the Battle of Kapyong and all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and never returned home. 516 Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice. To this day, nearly 400 Canadians are buried in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery of Korea in the southern port city of Busan, Korea.