BUSAN (Yonhap News) ― President Park Geun-hye paid tribute Monday to thousands of U.N. soldiers killed while fighting alongside South Korea during the Korean War, saying the country will never forget their sacrifices and will try to repay the debt to the international community.

In a memorial ceremony held ahead of the 60th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 conflict, Park also pledged to ensure a strong deterrence against North Korea and work closely with other nations to get the communist regime to become a responsible member of the international community.

“I express deep condolences to the war veterans who sacrificed their lives far away from home for the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea,” Park said during the speech at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan, where the remains of about 2,300 U.N. troops are buried.

As part of the U.S.-led Allied Forces, 21 countries helped South Korea repel invading troops from the communist North, with 16 of them sending combat troops and the five others providing medical assistance units. Tens of thousands of U.N. troops were killed in action.

During the ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, about 250 military officials, diplomats and veterans laid wreaths on the tombs of the foreign soldiers after a moment of silence. Students sang songs to express their gratitude to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

Built in 1951 by the U.N. Command, about 11,000 soldiers killed in the war had been buried at the cemetery until 1954. After the war ended, most were repatriated home, leaving the remains of some 2,300 troops from 11 nations, including England and Turkey.

The Korean War ended with a cease-fire agreement, not a peace treaty, on July 27, 1953, leaving the two Koreas technically at war. The U.N. Command Military Armistice Commission still oversees the implementation of the armistice agreement.

“We won’t forget the numerous soldiers who made sacrifices for peace in the Republic of Korea,” Park said. “The Republic of Korea will make itself a country that all of the veterans are proud of.

While further advancing the liberal democracy that we defended with noble blood, it will become a country that contributes to the peace and happiness of mankind.”

On North Korea, Park said the South is ready to seek a confidence-building process with Pyongyang, known as the “Korean Peninsula trust process,” to lay the groundwork for peaceful unification and for joint economic development if the North gives up its nuclear program.

“In order to create a peaceful Korean Peninsula, I will make sure to maintain a strong deterrence and preparedness and try to induce North Korea to become a responsible member of the international community through close cooperation (with other nations,”) she said.

The trip to Busan was Park’s first since taking office in February.

After the memorial ceremony, Park visited the port of Busan that has been going through a massive renovation project aimed at making the port more modern, with a focus on creating green space and facilities for tourism and business.

The 8.5 trillion won (US$7.6 billion) project is scheduled to be completed in 2019.