At 11:00 on April 22, 2016, the 65th commemorative service for Battle of Kapyong was held at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. It was a great honour and a touching moment for Padre In Seob Won, a South Korean-born Presbyterian chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Battle of Kapyong was a pivotal fight during the Korean War, in which Canadian soldiers served with United Nations’ forces.
Won, who was born in Seoul, served as an officer in the South Korean army for three years. He emigrated to Canada in 2001 at the age of 26, and graduated from Knox College, Toronto, in 2007. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in Canada two years later. He joined the Canadian Forces chaplaincy in 2013.
Padre Won said that South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world right after the Korean War. However, 60 years later it became an aid-providing country instead of an aid-receiving country, a miracle made possible, he said, because of noble sacrifice, efforts and contribution of Korean War veterans.
He firmly believes that one can embrace both the Canadian culture and one’s native culture. He looks forward to a long and exciting career with the Canadian Armed Forces where he will undoubtedly get to see the world, aid in domestic and international military operations, and continue to pursue becoming a Canadian citizen who serves his country well.
