MPVA Did You Know Series #1:
Colonel M.K. Unni Nayar – India’s Symbol of Sacrifice in the Korean War
In Beomeo Park, Daegu, South Korea, a memorial honors Colonel M.K. Unni Nayar, an Indian colonel who perished during the Korean War (1950-1953). A journalist, diplomat, and military officer, his life exemplifies India’s role in global peacekeeping efforts.
Born in Kerala in 1911, Nayar began his career in journalism before joining the Maratha Light Infantry during World War II. His expertise in public relations earned him postings in Washington, D.C., as India’s First Secretary and later as a representative of the United Nations Commission on Korea (UNCOK) in 1950.
On August 13, 1950, while reporting from the frontlines near Waegwan during the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, his jeep struck a landmine, killing him instantly. Due to wartime challenges, his remains could not be repatriated. South Korea cremated him on Beomeo Mountain in Daegu, and a small memorial was erected in his honor in December 1950.
Years later, Col. Nayar’s widow, Dr. Vimala Nayar, visited the memorial with the Indian Ambassador in 1989 to honor his memory. In 2012, their daughter, Dr. Parvathi Mohan, interred her mother’s ashes beside the memorial, fulfilling her last wish and uniting her parents in spirit. The rainy day of the ceremony saw many local citizens attending, a reflection of the respect South Korea continues to show for Col. Nayar.
"Colonel Nayar was in our midst not only as an individual warmed by a special sense of his duty to mankind, but as a representative of the great people of India," wrote South Korea’s President Syngman Rhee in 1951.
Today, the memorial, renovated by Suseong District in 1996, stands as a site of remembrance and a symbol of the enduring ties between India and South Korea. Every June 25, on Korean War Day, officials pay tribute to Col. Nayar, celebrating his sacrifice and commitment to freedom.
Sources:
- 1. Indian Express article by Neha Banka: South Korea’s Memorial to Col. M.K. Unni Nayar
- 2. MPVA English Website: Korean War Heroes
- 3. Syngman Rhee’s Letter (1951): [Image Reference Provided]
- 4. Daegu Memorial Tourism Info: Suseong District Overview
- 5. Kyobo Book: 인도 군인 ‘우니 나야’ 대구에 잠들다: Kyobo Link