Veterans of the Korean War Eligible for Revisit Korea Program

by Fred Lash

In 1975, on the 25^th the anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) government began the Revisit Korea Program as a means of expressing its appreciation to all United Nations veterans of the Korean War and their family members.

Each year since then (this year being the 44^th anniversary of the program), the ROK government appropriates funds for this special program, and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) in Seoul administers it.

Korean War veterans selected for the Revisit Korea Program are required to make their own airline reservations (assisted by the staff of Military Historical Tours) and pay the airlines.

While in South Korea, veterans are reimbursed for 50% of the airfare.  Any companion making the trip with the veteran is reimbursed for 30% of the airfare.  The remainder of the trip is fully covered by the MPVA, including all ground transportation within Korea, lodging, and meals.

It should be noted that the eligibility criteria for the Revisit Korea Program now includes family members of Korean War veterans.  If the veteran is deceased or unable to travel, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, aunts, or uncles are encouraged to make the trip on behalf of the Korean War veteran.

They will receive the Ambassador for Peace Medal and certificate in the veteran’s name.  Those individuals are also eligible to join the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA).  According to the MPVA, those who served during the war (1950-1953) still have priority when registering for the program.

*Note: 2020 will be the last year for the Korea Revisit Program for combat veterans who served in Korea during the war.

Here are the dates for the Revisit Korea Program trips in 2019:

• July 22-28: Depart for Korea on July 22^nd and arrive at Inchon International Airport (ICN) on the 23^rd.  Return to the U.S. on July 28^th.  If taking the MHT Pre-Tour, you will depart for Korea on July 19^th.
• September 25-October 1: Depart for Korea on September 25^th and arrive at ICN on the 26^th. Return to the U.S. on October 1^st.  If taking the MHT Pre-Tour, you will depart for Korea of September 22^nd.
• October 20-26: Depart for Korea on October 20^th and arrive at ICN on the 21^st. Return to the U.S. on the 26^th.  If taking the MHT Pre-Tour, depart for Korean on October 17^th.
• November 8-14: Depart for Korea on November 8^th and arrive at ICN on the 9^th. Return to the U.S. on the 14^th.  If taking the MHT Pre-Tour, depart for Korea on November 5^th.

Please contact Military Historical Tours at the below-listed phone number or email address if you desire more detailed information regarding the Revisit Korea Program.

For more than 30 years, Military Historical Tours, the oldest American Veteran-owned and operated battlefield tour company, has pursued a vision of providing opportunities to visit battlefields and offer various perspectives of America’s past conflicts.  MHT is proud to assist America’s veterans, historians, educators, students, and others interested in walking the ground of history’s greatest battles.  MHT places you “where history comes alive.”