S Korea to build WWII monument

 By ABIGAIL APINA

EAST New Britain will soon attract South Koreans to visit a new monument expected to be completed later this year.

The monument is in commemoration of about 4,000 South Korean soldiers who enlisted with the Japanese army and fought in World War II in PNG.

South Korean Ambassador to PNG Lee Whienjin signed a memorandum of understanding with the East New Britain provincial administration to clear the way for the construction of the monument.

The monument will be 6m high by 6m wide and would be erected next to the German war cemetery opposite the East New Britain Development Corporation headquarters.

According to the contractor, China Jaungsu, the monument would cost K200,000.

Speaking at the signing of the MoU yesterday in Kokopo, Whienjin said he was looking forward to return to the province for the opening of the monument.

He thanked the provincial administration for giving land to the people of South Korea to build the monument.

Whienjin said they have been searching for land in Port Moresby, Lae and other parts of PNG to construct the monument and have secured one in the island province.

He said the monument would relieve more than 200,000 South Koreans, who are relatives of the more than 4,000 soldiers who died on PNG soil alongside their Japanese comrades in World War II.

Deputy Governor Boniface Setavo said the monument strengthens the relationship with the republic of Korea and will open more opportunities to other areas.

“We are glad to have the monument set up in our province, as it is a significant milestone in our tourism industry. The political will is there to ensure the monument is well maintained,” Setavo said.

He also thanked ENBPA for facilitating the MoU in Kokopo.

The MoU has paved way for construction to begin once all legal procedures conclude and formalities completed. 

The monument would remain the property of South Korea, however, ENB provincial government through its administration and Kokopo Vunamami urban local level government would maintain it.

Acting provincial administrator Wilson Matava signed the MoU on behalf of the people of East New Britain.