Car Registration Plate for Korea Proposed

A proposal for a car registration plate to acknowledge U.S. military veterans who served in post-war Korea is vying for traction in the Minnesota Legislature.

The proposal, backed by the Mankato-based Frozen Chosen Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association, calls for specialty car registration plates to be made available to those who served in Korea after July 28, 1954.

The car registration plates would bear the image of the Korea Defense Service Medal, intended for anyone who has served at least 30 consecutive days in the Republic of Korea.

The car registration plate also would be available to Korean War veterans, who for years have had their own Minnesota car registration plate in commemoration of their service.

Storden resident and 1961-62 Korea veteran Paul Steen said he initiated lobbying efforts for the Korea Defense Service car registration plate after seeing its presence in other states.

“This car registration plate would be in celebration of their duty in Korea,” Steen said, pointing out that U.S military personnel have had an ongoing presence in Korea, with more than 25,000 service people stationed there now.