The ROKS Baekdusan (PC-701) reimagined as a space battleship (Courtesy of the MPVA)

This year marks the 74th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. The Korean War began with North Korea’s surprise invasion of the South on June 25, 1950, and continued until the armistice on July 27, 1953. The war, which lasted about three years and one month, resulted in approximately 2.45 million military and civilian casualties. To help South Korea in its crisis, 22 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, sent a total of about 2 million troops and medical personnel. This was the first deployment of multinational military forces based on a United Nations Security Council resolution. 

The Korean government designated June as the month of patriots and veterans to remember and honor those who sacrificed themselves to defend the nation. 

On June 25 this year, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) posted several AI-generated images on its official Instagram account to commemorate the month of national defense and patriotism. These images were based on ideas submitted by the public under the theme “Korean War and National Defense” and were created by Ryan Ohsling using generative AI software. Ohsling is active on Instagram, and his posts there on June 20 of AI-generated Korean independence activists going about their daily lives attracted much attention.

The first image posted on the social media account of the MPVA shows the warship ROKS Baekdusan (PC-701) reborn as a space battleship. The Baekdusan was the first naval gun-carrying warship purchased by the Republic of Korea Navy after its founding. On June 25, 1950, it won a battle by firing on and sinking an armed North Korean transport ship attempting to infiltrate the waters off Busan. 

An AI version of General Douglas MacArthur arriving at Incheon International Airport in 2024 (Courtesy of the MPVA) 

An image of General Douglas MacArthur arriving at Incheon International Airport was also unveiled on the Ministry’s Instagram account. General MacArthur participated in the Korean War as Supreme Commander of the U.N. Command. On September 15, 1950, he led the U.N. and ROK armed forces in the Incheon Landing Operation, successfully recapturing the port city, which was then occupied by the North Korean People’s Army. This masterful counterattack quickly turned the tide of the war. As a result, General MacArthur remains highly respected in Korea to this day.

Modern-day Korean children hug a child soldier who fought in the Korean War. (Courtesy of the MPVA)

Ohsling also created an image of modern-day children embracing a child soldier who participated in the Korean War. Child soldiers are defined as those who were accepted into the military and put into combat, even though they were under the current legal enlistment age of 18. According to a study on child soldiers in the Korean War published by the Ministry of National Defense’s Institute for Military History, about 30,000 male and female soldiers aged 17 and below participated in the war. At an age when they should have been growing up under the protection of their parents, they instead trudged to war, toting heavy weapons.

An elderly Korean War veteran looks at a mirror reflection of his former self. (Courtesy of the MPVA)

An image of an elderly veteran looking into a mirror was also revealed through the MPVA’s Instagram account. The man sees a reflection of himself as he looked during the Korean War. Many Korean War veterans suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, and quite a few still struggle with vivid wartime memories.

Speaking on the inspiration for his AI-generated commemorations, Ohsling remarked: “While reading what you all wrote, I was reminded of the importance of the Korean War and defending one’s country. While honoring the noble sacrifice and dedication of each and every war hero, I once again remembered that courage and sacrifice have become the cornerstone of freedom and peace in our daily lives today.”

A young Colonel Young Oak Kim drives on the portion of a California highway named after him. (Courtesy of the MPVA)

The MPVA commented on the 74th anniversary of the Korean War, stating, “We express our deep respect and gratitude to the war heroes who dedicated themselves to protecting Korea.” They also pledged, “Without their courage and sacrifices, today’s peace would have been impossible. We will honor their noble spirit and forever remember their sacrifices.”

Korean netizens left comments below the posts, including: “I sincerely thank all the Korean and allied forces who protected our country” and “We will not forget their noble sacrifices.” Regarding the AI-generated images, they responded with comments such as, “This is putting AI to good use” and “They’re touching in a way that I’ve never experienced before.”