Export Week: Tribute to the 1st Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment at the Battle of the Imjin River Korea

GFirst LEP would like to make a respectful tribute to a special memorial visit that is taking place to the city of Paju in Korea to mark the heroic action of the 1st Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment at the Battle of the Imjin River during the Korean War in 1951 to defend the Republic of Korea from an invading army.

GFirst LEP would like to make a respectful tribute to a special memorial visit that is taking place to the city of Paju in Korea to mark the heroic action of the 1st Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment at the Battle of the Imjin River during the Korean War in 1951 to defend the Republic of Korea from an invading army.

A great deal of respect and much goodwill already exists between the people of the Republic of Korea and the veterans of the battle. The visit, as well as honouring the veterans, will strengthen the strong ties and special relationship which have been developing between the cities of Paju and Gloucester over a number of years.

Representing a group of citizens and local businessmen from Gloucestershire, and acting in conjunction with the Trustees of the Gloucestershire Regiment, the City of Gloucester, the County of Gloucestershire and Gloucester Rugby Football Club, a special organisation has been set up called the “Gloucestershire and the Republic of Korea Amity (GROK)”.   The aim and objectives of  GROK will be to:

• To nurture and develop the special relationship that exists between the City of Gloucester, the County of Gloucestershire and the United Kingdom and the City of Paju, Gyeonggi Province and the Republic of Korea to the mutual benefit of the peoples of our two regions and countries.
• To create, promote and foster deep cultural, educational, sporting and commercial links with Korea to mutual and long-lasting benefit. These relationships will be forged on a powerful shared heritage, the spirit of our communities and the deep respect we hold for each other

GROK will also look at ways of:

• Encouraging civic ties between the cities of Gloucester and Paju
• Expanding the representation of Korea and the Korean War within the Gloucestershire Regiment’s current museum with the goal ultimately of creating a dedicated Museum of the Korean War based in the City of Gloucester
• Encouraging sporting links whereby Gloucester Rugby Club can assist the Republic of Korea at both regional and national level to develop rugby in their country and finally;
• Developing further business and commercial links between our two regions.