The late Serge Gabriel Archambault, a French veteran of the Korean War who often called South Korea his "second homeland," has been laid to rest next to his comrades in Busan, fulfilling his dying wish.

The burial ceremony for Archambault took place at 2 p.m. today at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Nam-gu, Busan.

The ceremony proceeded in the order of an opening remark, a memorial address, the blessing of the remains, the lowering of the casket and casting of soil, the laying of flowers, a moment of silence, and remarks from the bereaved family.

Archambault enlisted in the French military at the age of 18 and fought in the First Indochina War before volunteering to serve in the Korean War on August 29, 1951.

Serving in Korea from 1951 to 1952, he participated in fierce engagements including the battles at the Iron Triangle and the T-Bone Hill west of Cheorwon.


The Embassy of France in Seoul and the UN Memorial Cemetery Management Office shared that Archambault could never forget the harrowing moment in February 1952 when Chinese artillery fire killed the comrades standing right in front of and behind him, leaving him as the sole survivor.

Spending 15 days in a trench surrounded by the bodies of comrades and enemies after intense combat left a lifelong psychological scar.

Even after returning to France following the armistice, his memories of his fallen comrades never faded.

Beginning in the 1980s, Archambault actively participated in the French Korean War Veterans Association.

He later attended various memorial events as a flagbearer, continuing his efforts to honor the sacrifices and dedication of his comrades.

Having repeatedly expressed profound affection for South Korea during his lifetime, he also made known his wish to be buried at the UN Memorial Cemetery, where his fellow soldiers who died in the Korean War rest.

Regarding his wish to be laid to rest in Korea despite his family living in France, he reportedly stated, "Because Korea is a very special second homeland to me."

He was known to have specifically mentioned the names of comrades already buried at the UN Memorial Cemetery, such as Raymond Benard, Andre Valletval, and Robert Pignard, expressing his desire to rest alongside them.

With Archambault's burial, a total of 2,341 UN veterans from 14 countries now rest at the UN Memorial Cemetery.

Among them, 50 are French veterans.

(Photo: Provided by the UN Memorial Cemetery Management Office, Yonhap News)