Korean War veteran and former congressman Charles Rangel dies on Memorial Day

US Rep Charles Rangel speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington in this file photo taken on June 16 2016 AP-Yonhap — Charles Rangel, a Korean War veteran and former U.S. congressman speaks at a press conference in Washington, in this file photo from June 2016. AP-Yonhap

SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Charles Rangel, a Korean War veteran and former U.S. congressman, died at a hospital in New York on Monday, as the country observed Memorial Day. He was 94.

Born in Harlem, Manhattan in 1930, Rangel was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1971. The 23-term lawmaker went on to serve in Congress for 46 years until his retirement in January 2017.

During his time in Congress, the late Democrat, who consistently worked to support Washington's key Asian ally, played a key role in strengthening bilateral ties between South Korea and the U.S. while introducing a series of bills and resolutions related to South Korea.

Rangel promoted peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula, advocated for the reunions of separated families between the two Koreas, and supported Korean War veterans.

In recognition of his efforts, he received several awards and honors from South Korea including one in 2007 and another in 2021.

Im Yoon-seo lyseo0330@ajupress.com

Korean War veteran and former congressman Charles Rangel dies on Memorial Day

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