AS PRESIDENT Donald Trump forges a new relationship with despot Kim Jong-un a Greenock soldier today tells of his pride at being hailed as a hero on his return to the Korean peninsula.

Jim McDougall, 83, says he was treated 'like a film star' following his arrival in Seoul for a series of events to mark the suspension of military hostilities between North and South Korea in the 1950s.

Jim, of Armadale Court, was part of a peacekeeping force sent to the troubled east Asian region 55 years ago, when he was with the 42nd Field Regiment Royal Artillery.

The people of South Korea have not forgotten the contribution that he and other veterans made in enabling their country to rise from war ravaged poverty to become one of the world's top ten economies.

Jim — who received the UN Peace Medal during his recent visit — said: "I went out with 27 other veterans and, honestly, we were clapped everywhere we went.

"You're made to feel like a film star.

"I was amazed at the transformation in the country; I've never seen so many high rises. When I was there between 1953 and 1955 it was flat.

"Now 25 million people live in and around Seoul."

Jim attended memorial events in various parts of South Korea during his week-long stay and the country's government picked up the tab for everything.

He said: "All we had to pay was half of our air fare.

"The whole experience was overwhelming.

"When we landed it was to banners stating, 'Welcome Veterans', people would come up to you and say, 'You saved our country, we will never forget you'.

"You could feel that it was genuine throughout the country."

Jim added: "We all had to wear badges which had Korean translations and I was out buying something one day that cost 180,000 won (£126) and when the chap saw my badge and read it he bowed from the waist and let me have it for 60,000 won (£42)."

The former Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer First Class told how he walked out on stage through dry ice during a banquet on the final night to receive his medal.

He said: "It was a very, very proud moment for me, and obviously for the other veterans as well.

"The reception we received was very moving."

Following a 23-year Army career which saw him stationed also in Germany, Cyprus and Hong Kong, Jim worked for IBM in Greenock.

His wife of 63 years, Helen, passed away two years ago, but his zest for life knows no bounds as he looks forward to getting his kicks on a coach trip holiday along America's famous Route 66 and also a cruise on the River Nile later this year.

And he has high hopes for the future of both Koreas following President Trump's historic summit with Kim in Singapore.

Jim said: "It's certainly promising, it remains to be seen whether it works, but I certainly hope it bears fruit.

"Kim must be desperate to get on a good footing because his people are starving up there."