THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

(San Diego, California)

_______________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release June 23, 2000

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR

AND NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY, 2000

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Fifty years ago, on June 25, 1950, armed forces from North Korea

shattered the peace in the Land of the Morning Calm as they crossed the

38th Parallel and launched an invasion of South Korea. The communist

forces advanced rapidly and, at the outset, appeared close to easy

victory. President Truman, recognizing the threat to our South Korean

allies and their democracy, responded swiftly and decisively. Through

the United Nations Security Council, he marshaled international

opposition to the invasion and, on June 27, 1950, committed the first

U.S. forces to combat in South Korea.

On some of the world's harshest terrain, through the scorching heat

of summer and the numbing cold of winter, American troops fought with

steely determination and uncommon courage. As they gained ground,

pushing the North Koreans back toward the 38th parallel, American

families began to hope that our troops would be home by Christmas. But

in November, at the Yalu River in North Korean territory, American

forces encountered a new and daunting antagonist: Chinese forces had

joined their North Korean allies, and the tide of battle turned once

again.

Through months of attack and counterattack, falling back and

regaining ground, U.S. troops and our allies refused to succumb to enemy

forces. The war dragged into a bloody stalemate and long, bitter talks

ensued. Finally, negotiators signed an armistice agreement at

Panmunjom on July 27, 1953. North Korea withdrew across the 38th

parallel, and the Republic of South Korea regained its status as a free,

democratic nation. For the first time in history, a world organization

of nations had taken up arms to oppose aggression and, thanks largely to

the valor, skill, and perseverance of almost 2,000,000 Americans, had

succeeded.

In later years, the Korean War would sometimes be called "the

Forgotten War." But we have not forgotten. We pay honor to the courage

of our veterans who fought in Korea and to the thousands who died there

or whose fate is still unknown. We recall the grief of their families

and the gratitude of the people of South Korea. We remember that, in

the Korean War, our soldiers' brave stand against communism laid the

foundations of peace and freedom that so many nations enjoy today.

Over the next 3-1/2 years, Americans will gather to observe the

50th anniversary of the Korean War and honor our veterans. The

Secretary of Defense will help coordinate many of these events and will

develop commemorative and educational materials to help inform the

American public about our veterans' many contributions and sacrifices.

The Congress, by Public Law 106-195, has authorized and requested

the President to issue a proclamation in observance of the 50th

anniversary of the Korean War, and by Public Law 104-19 (36 U.S.C. 127),

the Congress has designated July 27, 2000, as "National Korean War

Veterans Armistice Day" and has authorized and requested the President

to issue a proclamation in observance of that day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United

States of America, do hereby urge all Americans to observe the 50th

Anniversary of the Korean War and do hereby proclaim July 27, 2000, as

National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. I call upon all Americans

to observe these periods with appropriate ceremonies and activities

that honor and give thanks to our distinguished Korean War veterans. I

also ask Federal departments and agencies and interested groups,

organizations, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at

half-staff on July 27, 2000, in memory of the Americans who died as a

result of their service in Korea.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third

day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and

twenty-fourth.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON