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Andre Belaval during the Korean War (left) and recently (right)

Before passing away on July 2, 2015 at the age of 87, Andre Belaval, a Frenchman who fought on the side of the UN during the Korean War, wrote in his will that he wanted to be buried in South Korea, alongside his comrades-at-arms. His remains will be laid to rest at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan on Oct. 27 at 11 am.

South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced on Oct. 23 that Belaval’s remains will initially be placed in state at Bongan Shrine at the Seoul National Cemetery after entering the country through Incheon Airport on Oct. 24 at 3 pm.

Belaval entered the Korean War in Mar. 1953 as a radio operator for the 13th Support Company in the French battalion, with the rank of private first class, and returned to France two years later. Though Belaval was only stationed in Korea for a short time, he regarded it as his second home. He was a founding member of the Korean Foreign Legion association in France and served as its honorary chairman for 10 years. He also maintained unusually close ties to the Korean community in France, regularly attending Korean events in his country.

Belaval’s last wishes came to the attention of the South Korean government when his son contacted the South Korean ambassador to France to inquire about arranging for his father’s burial at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. A ceremony marking the return of Belaval’s remains on Oct. 24 will be attended by French Ambassador to South Korea Fabien Penone and members of the Korean Foreign Legion, and his interment in Busan will be attended by more than 20 people, including the family of his son and officials from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and from the French Embassy to South Korea.

By Kim Ji-eun, staff reporter

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