Commemoration Held for Victims of Ethiopian Peacekeeping Force in Korean War

Addis Ababa May 11/2019 Commemoration of the 68th year anniversary of Ethiopia's participation in the Korean War was marked with spiritual ceremony and wreath laying today.

During the occasion, Korea's Ambassador to Ethiopia Lim Hoonmin said that "the great soldiers of Ethiopia shed their blood during the Korean War for the noble cause of freedom and peace on the Korean Peninsula."

It was their noble sacrifice and courage that laid the foundation for democracy and dynamic economic power of Korea, he added.

"The rapid economic development of Korea after the Korean War is often described as 'the miracle of the Han River', but this miracle was only possible with the help of Korea's friends  like Ethiopia," Hoonmin pointed out.

The ambassador further stated that based on these historical relationship forged in blood, the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Korea have made remarkable progress, political as well as economic exchange and cooperation.

Ethiopian Korean War Veterans Association President, Colonel Melesse Tessema said  Ethiopia's participation in the Korean War of 1950 under the flag of United Nations symbolizes the real support for international peace and security.

Appreciating the sacrifice paid by Kagnew Battalion Peacekeeping Force, he called upon the new Ethiopian generation to follow in the footsteps of the forefathers and contribute to  the sustaining  of peace, stability and unity of their country and the world.

Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mahlet Hailu said on her part that the relationship between Ethiopia and Korea has been cemented by blood and flesh since the Korean War.

The cooperation between the two countries has been intensifying, especially in areas of education, capacity building, science and technology, she noted.

The Korean War claimed lives of over 2.5 million people, 122 of which are Ethiopian soldiers under the flagship of United Nations.