ROK commemorates Incheon Landing Operation despite DPRK denunciation

Military of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Monday held a celebration to mark the 64th anniversary of Incheon Landing Operation during the 1950-53 Korean War, despite a denunciation from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The ceremony to commemorate the Incheon Landing, a turning point for US and ROK troops in the war, was hosted by the ROK Defense Ministry in Incheon, the country's western port city where the Asiad will be held four days later.

The commemoration was joined by some 2,200 people, including war veterans, military officers and citizens.

The reenactment of the operation was carried about despite the Incheon municipal government's call last month for its cancellation as DPRK athletes were scheduled to come to the city for participation in the multi-sports event.

The first batch of DPRK athletes arrived in Incheon last Thursday for the 17th Asian Games running from Sept 19 to Oct 4. The first delegation consisted of some 90 people, including journalists, male and female football players and their coaches.

The DPRK condemned the celebration, saying Sunday that "this is an unpardonable challenge to the Asian Games which will be held in the noble idea of peace and friendship, and another unbearable provocation against the DPRK."

The Incheon Landing Operation, codenamed Operation Chromite, was an amphibious battle during the Korean War, which led to the recapture of ROK capital Seoul for the United States and the ROK.

The reenactment of the operation was joined by some 10 battleships from the US and the ROK, 20 airplanes and 20 landing armored vehicles or so.

Seoul's Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told a routine press briefing that the celebration is an annually held event, saying it has nothing to do with the Incheon Asian Games.