Charles Rangel, Korean War Veteran and Longtime Advocate for U.S.-Korea Relations, Passes Away at 95

Charles Rangel, a former U.S. Congressman and Korean War veteran, passed away on May 26 in New York at the age of 95. Rangel, who fought against Chinese forces during the war, dedicated his life to strengthening the U.S.-Korea alliance after entering politics. His son-in-law, Howard Houghton, shared that Rangel held deep respect and affection for Korea and never forgot it until his last moments. Notably, his passing coincided with Memorial Day in the United States.

Born in 1930 in Harlem, New York, Rangel grew up in a challenging environment, raised by a mother who worked as a cleaner and factory worker. He dropped out of high school at 17 to enlist in the military, and was deployed to Korea in 1950, shortly after the outbreak of the Korean War. Rangel often reflected on his service, stating it was a pivotal moment that changed his life.

In a 2023 interview, he recalled arriving in Korea without distinguishing between North and South, and being struck by the sounds of gunfire, realizing he was in a war zone. On November 30, 1950, while serving with the 503rd Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division, Rangel was surrounded by Chinese forces during the Battle of Kunuri near the Taedong River. Despite being wounded, he led his fellow soldiers to safety, with all 40 members of his unit surviving. For his bravery, he received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

After returning to the U.S. in July 1951, Rangel attended law school with the help of the Veterans Administration and went on to serve as a federal prosecutor. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1970, representing New York City, and served nearly 50 years until his retirement in 2016. Rangel often expressed gratitude for his wartime experiences, telling colleagues that since that cold winter night in 1950, he had not experienced a bad day.

Rangel was a prominent advocate for U.S.-Korea relations, founding the Korea Caucus in 2003 and serving as its first chair. He sponsored several key pieces of legislation, including the Korean War Veterans Recognition Act (2009), a resolution designating a year for Korean War veterans (2012), and a bill for a memorial wall for Korean War veterans (2016). He also addressed issues related to peace on the Korean Peninsula, introducing resolutions for family reunions and promoting peaceful reunification.

Rangel's contributions to U.S.-Korea diplomacy were recognized by both Korean and American leaders. In 2007, he received the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit from the South Korean government, and he was honored by President Lee Myung-bak during a joint address to Congress in 2011. His legacy was also acknowledged by President Park Geun-hye in 2013 and President Yoon Suk-yeol in 2023.

Following the announcement of his passing, political figures, including Democratic presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung and People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, expressed their condolences. Rangel was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and served as chair of the House Appropriations Committee from 2007 to 2010. His retirement celebration in December 2016 was attended by over 200 colleagues who honored him with gratitude and affection.

Even after retiring from politics, Rangel remained committed to Korea. In 2021, upon receiving the Baek Seon-yeop U.S.-Korea Alliance Award, he expressed hope for the reunification of the Korean Peninsula during his lifetime. Former campaign chair Park Myun-soo recalled a recent conversation where Rangel expressed concern for Korea's situation, stating, 'I am not worried about Korea's current situation. Korea is a resilient country that has overcome North Korean aggression. Although it may face political difficulties now, I believe it will prevail.'