Korea has invited U.N. soldiers who fought in the Korean War (1950-53) to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the signing of the armistice agreement that halted the conflict, military officials said Thursday.

Some 130 U.N. war veterans and their families from 17 countries are scheduled make a six-day trip to South from Sunday to Thursday.

While here, they will visit the truce village of Panmunjom, the Seoul National Cemetery and historic palaces, then attend a screening of "Operation Chromite" based on the successful U.S.-led Incheon Landing Operation, the Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs said in a statement.

Sixty-five U.N. war veterans, mostly in their 80s and 90s, will arrive at Incheon International Airport on Saturday along with their families, the ministry said. 

The Seoul government plans to give special recognition to nine of them, including Antonie Michael Muller, 86, from South Africa; Maximo Young, 94, from the Philippines; and the grandson of the late Raymond Davis from the United States, for their contributions made during the war, it said.

The tour to Panmunjom and the recognition ceremony will take place on July 25 and July 27, respectively.  
stock image(123rf)A total of 30,000 U.N. soldiers who fought in the Korean War have visited since 1975 as part of the government's commemorative events. The three-year conflict ended in a ceasefire armistice and no peace treaty has been signed so the two Koreas are still technically at war. (Yonhap)