Few
elementary school graduations are attended by senior military leaders
and national press corps. In the only community inside the southern half
of the demilitarized known as Tae Seong Dong (or Daeseong-Dong)
to Koreans and “Freedom Village” to Americans, the yearly graduation
draws spectators from throughout the peninsula. The residents of the
village can vote in South Korea and receive education, but are exempt
from national defense duties and taxation. This year spectators
witnessed the graduation of four students of the 30 from Tae Sung Dong
Elementary School Feb. 14. Attendees included ROK Maj. Gen. Seo Hyung
Sok, UNCMAC Senior Member, Col. Christopher Munnich, UNCMAC Secretary,
Lt. Col. Daniel Edwan, commander, UNC Security Battalion-JSA Battalion;
and representatives from from Switzerland and Sweden; as well as Paju
city council officials and local dignitaries. (Photo by Elizabeth Kim,
USFK PAO)