Operation Chromite

[Anchor Lead]

The Korean movie "Operation Chromite" has premiered in North America. This action film about the pivotal Incheon Landing Operation during the Korean War opened on more U.S. and Canadian movie screens than any Korean film before. Also, thanks to this film the historical figure who inspired one of the chief characters is being remembered again.

[Pkg]

The first guests welcomed to the preview of "Operation Chromite" in North America were Korean War veterans. Nearing 90 in age, the veterans were filled with emotion as they remembered the fateful day of the Incheon landing 66 years ago.

[Soundbite] White(86/Navy sailor who took part in Operation Chromite)

[Soundbite] Philip(88/Navy sailor who took part in Operation Chromite)

Previews were held at 18 locations, including a veteran's club.

"Operation Chromite" will be released on August 12th in other major cities across the U.S. and Canada. As this Korean War movie is shaping up to be a blockbuster in Korea, the true historical figure featured in the film is also gaining renewed attention. The Korean War began as North Korea launched a surprise attack on South Korea on June 25th, 1950. The South Koreans were overpowered by the North Korean army, fully armed with Soviet military support. The South Korean troops were pushed back relentlessly. But there stood at the Hangang River defense line a young soldier who enlisted voluntarily. Five-star General Douglas MacArthur, who had played a pivotal role in defeating imperialist Japan, ran into this boy soldier while he was inspecting the Hangang River front on June 29th, 1950.

[Soundbite] "Give me a gun and ample ammos.”

The teenager at the Hangang River defense line was the late Shin Dong-su, then a private first-class with South Korea's White Skull infantry division.

Back in 2004 he vividly relived the historic encounter in an exclusive interview with KBS.

[Soundbite] Shin Dong-su(Private, White Skull Infantry Division) : "He asked me why this unit has not retreated when all others did and I told him that I will never retreat without my commander's orders. If I die, I will die right here."

Three days after his meeting with General MacArthur, Shin was retreating at his commander's order when he was shot in the leg. His left leg had to be amputated below the knee. When his grandsons began their military service they realized their grandfather was the hero of the Hangang River line of defense.

[Soundbite] Jeong Geum-ok(Daughter-in-law of the late Shin) : "My son said that his grandfather appeared in military news. He's seen his grandfather shake hands with General MacArthur. My children said that their grandfather was a great person."

When Hollywood actor Liam Neeson, who played General MacArthur, heard about the families of the boy soldier seeing the movie, he said that their presence was a big honor and this story was what inspired him to take part in the movie.