MPVA Did You Know (DYK) Series #12:

DID YOU KNOW that Dutch soldiers found shelter in a Korean school, and never forgot it?

In December 1950, during one of the Korean War's harshest winters, exhausted Dutch troops from the Van Heutsz Regiment arrived in Suwon after a difficult journey from Busan. With temperatures plummeting and proper shelter scarce, they found unexpected refuge in Adams Memorial Hall at what was then Sam-il Hakwon.

The school community opened its doors without hesitation. For two weeks, they offered warmth, safety, and humanity to soldiers from halfway around the world. That single gesture of kindness sparked a friendship that has endured for more than 70 years.

Since 1982, the Dutch Korean War Veterans Association (VOKS) has maintained strong ties with what is now Sam-il Technical High School, providing annual scholarships and the prestigious Netherlands Ambassador's Award to recognize outstanding students who demonstrate both academic excellence and strong character.

This spirit of remembrance is woven into the school's traditions. Its entrance ceremony is deliberately held each March 1st—Korea's Independence Movement Day. During this ceremony, new students learn their school's unique legacy: founded by independence activists and later a sanctuary for international allies who came to Korea's defense.

The connection continues to deepen even now. In 2023, Dutch Korean War veteran Ferdinand Titalepta was laid to rest at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea. The following year, his comrade Johannes Horstman was repatriated and buried beside him—fulfilling Horstman's final wish to return to the country he helped defend.

In Suwon, the school preserves this history through its memorial exhibit, where portraits and artifacts of Dutch veterans are displayed alongside Korean heroes—a thoughtful reminder that bonds formed during times of hardship can endure across generations and continents.

Honoring the Van Heutsz Regiment

The Van Heutsz Regiment fought in critical battles during the Korean War, including Hoengseong, Wonju, and Inje. Their service is commemorated at the Historical Collection Regiment Van Heutsz in Arnhem, Netherlands—a museum dedicated to their contributions under the UN flag in Korea.