[6·25 정전 70년, 참전국 대사 인터뷰]
Out of 16 countries participating in the war, the 4th dispatched troops and the 3rd highest loss of life
Turkey builds a school in Korea and takes care of 640 war orphans
Korea Helps Build Villages for Victims of the Great Earthquake in Turkiye
“Russian invasion of Ukraine is ethically wrong.”
“During the Korean War, I think that the Turkish army did not just fight and leave for a while, but lived in harmony with Koreans sincerely.”
Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer interviewed the Dong-A Ilbo at the Turkish Embassy in Seoul in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul on the 25th to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War. Explained.
According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Turkey dispatched 21,212 army troops, the fourth largest among the 16 UN participating countries that sent troops at the time, and suffered a total of 2,365 casualties, including 996 killed and killed, 1,155 wounded, and 244 prisoners. . It is the third largest casualty among participating countries.
Ambassador Tamer, who served as ambassador to Kuwait and consul general in Odessa, Ukraine, returned to Korea last year. The following is a question and answer.
―Turkiye dispatched the 4th largest number of soldiers among the participating countries in the Korean War and suffered the 3rd largest number of casualties. What do you see as the background and significance of supporting the Korean War so actively?
“After World War II, the whole world was in a difficult situation, and Korea was also threatened by China and Russia, which were trying to establish a communist dictatorship. For this reason, the dispatch seems to have great significance in that it protected democracy and freedom in Korea. Moreover, the history of Korea and Turkey is not 70-80 years old, but 1500 years. Even in the past (Goguryeo and the Turks) were on the same side in war.”
―What do you think is the reason why only Turkiye has the nickname of ‘brother country’ among the countries that participated in the war?
“Not too long ago, I met a Korean survivor who was 8 years old at the outbreak of the Korean War. He said that Korean children liked it because the Turkish and US soldiers had frequent exchanges with Koreans. Despite the fact that the two countries are about 8,000 km apart, perhaps because of cultural similarities, Turkiye soldiers are said to have adapted well to Korea. In many ways, it seems correct to say that the Turkiye soldiers did not just fight and leave for a while in the Korean War, but lived in harmony with Koreans sincerely. The fact that Turkish soldiers built the ‘Ankara School’ in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province and stayed in Korea until 1971, long after the armistice, also shows this.”
(Turkey war veterans built the ‘Ankara School’ during the war and took care of 640 Korean war orphans for about 10 years.)
―For three years, the Turkiye Army played a major role in numerous major battles. At the time, the Washington Post (WP) of the United States said, “The prowess of the Turkish army in battle
(Martial Arts)
It is difficult to even explain in words.” Can you describe the major battles and key contributions of the Turkiye Army?
“The Battle of Kimryangjang-ri is a typical example. In January 1951, the Turkish army recaptured Kimryangjang-ri, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, which had been occupied by the Chinese army, in hand-to-hand combat. It was such an important battle that it was said that if we lost here, we could lose the war, but the Turkish army won a great victory and it became a turning point for the UN forces, who had been retreating, to launch a counterattack.”
(In recognition of their contributions in this battle, the Turkish army received deputy commendations from the South Korean and US governments. Last month, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs designated this area as the ‘Turkey Road’.)
In January of this year, a ceremony commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Kim Ryangjang-ri was held at the Korean War Memorial in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Lee Won-ik, Korean Ambassador to Turkey, expresses his gratitude to the five surviving Turkish war veterans on behalf of the Korean government. Provided by the Korean Embassy in Turkey.―Are there any events planned this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice?
“Thankfully, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea has not forgotten about the Turkish War veterans and has conducted an annual invitational project, and several people are scheduled to visit Korea in July. Most of them are over 90 years old, but they consider Korea as their second home and are very active in visiting Korea. Last year, I also visited the UN Memorial Park in Busan, and as I swiped the tombstones of my comrades who died, they said that even though decades had passed, the memories of the war were as vivid as yesterday. Our generation, who did not go through the war, cannot even imagine what it would be like.
Foreigners who attended the ’73rd United Nations Day Ceremony’ held at the United Nations Memorial Park in Nam-gu, Busan in October 2018 pay their respects at the Turkish War Veterans Cemetery. Donga Ilbo DBIn addition, a movie screening festival will be held, and the Turkish military band ‘Mehter’, known as ‘the world’s first military band’ created during the Ottoman Empire, will perform in Busan and Gyeryong, Chungcheongnam-do. We plan to discuss with the city so that we can perform in Seoul as well. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey. I usually keep in touch with Koreans from ‘Ankara School’, and we are discussing ways to invite them to a commemorative event this year for a choir performance.”
―You were appointed as the Korean ambassador last year. How do you feel about living in Korea?
“Originally, I really liked Korea, so I feel like I came to my house from the first day. Even those around me were envious of me (who had just arrived in Korea). The day before, at an event where ambassadors from 7 or 8 countries gathered, a Korean official greeted me as a ‘brotherly country’. This happens often and I am proud of myself. The Korean Ambassador to Turkey also said that they often receive special treatment in Turkey (laughs).”
Salih Murat Tamer, Turkish Ambassador to Korea, during an interview. ―What is the current image of Korea in Turkey?
“There is no culture to line up in front of restaurants in Turkey, but these days, lines form only in front of Korean restaurants. At my daughter’s birthday party recently, the main topic of conversation was ‘Blackpink’. These days, the Korean Wave craze seems to be the same everywhere in the world, not just in Turkey.”
―In the past, you served as the consul general in Odessa, Ukraine, and you must have been shocked by the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
“My wife is Ukrainian. Apart from her family ties, it is clearly ethically wrong for Russia to invade Ukraine and take away people’s freedom. On a global basis, everyone would have no choice but to support Ukraine. The cafes, restaurants, and friends’ houses we frequented in Ukraine all collapsed. It is said that even young children can guess whether the drone is bombing their neighborhood or going to another area just by hearing the ‘drone sound’ flying around. It is sad.”
―Turkey has relatively friendly relations with Russia, which invaded Ukraine.
“Korea is also under pressure to participate in sanctions against China, but isn’t it a matter that can be decided simply considering its long relationship with China and the Chinese market? The Russian invasion was obviously wrong, but I think the relationship between Turkey and Russia can be explained in a similar way.”
―In February of this year, a major earthquake occurred in southern Turkey, causing great damage. You also mentioned that the Korean government may send an engineer unit to Turkey to help with the reconstruction. How far has the restoration been done?
“It is not yet in the building reconstruction stage, and the collapsed buildings are being demolished. If help is needed in the future reconstruction phase, it seems possible to consider requesting the dispatch of an engineer unit to South Korea. Not yet at that stage. Even so, the situation improved to the extent that voting in this presidential election was held even in the affected areas. Also thankfully, the Korean government and private organizations are building container villages for the victims. Victims living in tents right after the earthquake can now live in containers.”
(Last month, the united civic group ‘ASTOP’ in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, was the only Korean ambassador among the ambassadors of the host country to present a plaque of appreciation for those who contributed to earthquake disaster support activities.)
Last month, in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, Korean Ambassador Lee Won-ik was selected as a ‘contributor to earthquake and disaster support activities’ by a local civic group and received a plaque of appreciation. Provided by the Korean Embassy in Turkey.Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.