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Local war veteran reacts to Korean peace agreement

Posted at 5:55 PM, Apr 27, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-27 20:55:48-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - North and South Korea made history Friday by agreeing to officially end the peninsula's civil war. The move brings back chilling memories for Korean War vets in San Diego. 

10News reporter Jennifer Delacruz sat down with one of those vets ahead of an Honor Flight to the Washington, D.C. next week. 

Bob Weishan's trophy room takes him back to a different time -- a time of conflict and destruction.

"It was interesting," said Weishan. "It's a whole different world that they live in."

But when the 87-year-old Korean War veteran looks back today, it's a little different. 

"It should have happened a long time ago."

The resolution of peace between North and South Korea puts even more meaning into the 15 months he was there fighting for freedom.   

"You had two options," said Weishan. "One was stay in the trucks and burn to death, or climb out of the trucks and get shot."

One of his most haunting memories was watching 100,000 refugees fleeing for their lives. 

"They were carrying everything they owned with them."

Having been there in the trenches, he knows how much his agreement means to those families who left and those still there today. 

"For the North Koreans, I think they're on their knees every night with prayers that this is a success and that this doesn't fail because it gives them a way out."

Although it's still early on, he says it's a step in the right direction. 

"It's a little bit of hope," said Weishan. "At least they're talking. And if something comes out of it, it could be good."

Weishan joins about 25 other vets who leave for their Honor Flight on May 4th.