President Obama marks 60th anniversary of Korean War armistice

WASHINGTON -- The Korean War, often called America’s forgotten war, was commemorated Saturday with a solemn ceremony here to mark the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended combat.

President Obama laid a wreath at the Korean War Veterans Memorial and told a crowd of about 5,000 on the National Mall, “Here in America, no war should ever be forgotten, and no veteran should ever be overlooked.’’

Veterans of the war, including some in their old uniforms, were among those in attendance, along with South Korean officials.

“That war was no tie. Korea was a victory,’’ Obama said, noting South Koreans live in freedom and enjoy a dynamic economy, “in stark contrast to the repression and poverty’’ of North Korea.

Speaking before a “Heroes Remembered” banner, Obama said the U.S. commitment to South Korea will “never waver.’’

While an armistice was penned July 27, 1953, no formal peace treaty was ever signed, and tensions remain high on the Korean peninsula.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial features 19 seven-foot-tall stainless steel soldiers in windblown ponchos on patrol.

An effort is underway in Congress to erect a wall at the memorial -- similar to the famous wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial -- to call greater attention the Korean War.

richard.simon@latimes.com