HARRISBURG – Korean Americans who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces would receive the same state veterans benefits as their U.S. counterparts under legislation approved today by the Senate, said sponsor Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24).
“Hundreds of Pennsylvanians are among the more than 3,000 naturalized Korean American citizens who served in the Vietnam War as part of the Korean Armed Forces,” Pennycuick said. “They fought with tremendous valor alongside U.S. forces and made their lives and homes in this country. Passage of this measure recognizes that they are entitled to as much support as their U.S. military counterparts.”
Senate Bill 173 would grant the same rights, benefits and privileges of U.S. military veterans to any Pennsylvania resident who is a naturalized U.S. citizen and who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces.
The bill would apply to any Pennsylvania resident who is an American citizen, was an active-duty member of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in the Vietnam War between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and received an honorable discharge or equivalent.
Similar legislation sponsored by Pennycuick was passed by the Senate last year but didn’t receive a vote in the House of Representatives before session ended. Congress passed a Korean VALOR act for federal veterans benefits in 2023.
CONTACT: Lidia Di Fiore (215) 541-2388