"Sacrifice in Service, New Beginnings for Descendants"... 75th Anniversary Ceremony for Korean War Veterans Held in Ethiopia

The Ceremony Begins with the Gangnyu Choir Singing the National Anthem
National Tribute and Floral Tribute for Veterans
Joint Wedding Ceremony for Descendants Follows

To mark the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, a commemorative event held in Ethiopia honored the deep respect for veterans and celebrated new beginnings for their descendants, once again reaffirming the friendship between the two countries.

The "75th Anniversary Ceremony for Ethiopian Korean War Veterans," held on the 2nd (local time), was organized by the Veterans Association and supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Ethiopia. Veterans, bereaved families, and officials from both countries attended to reflect on the historical significance of the occasion.

The event opened with a choral performance of the Korean national anthem by the Gangnyu Choir, composed of descendants of veterans, under the direction of Professor Kim Seunggi. The choir solemnly led the singing of both national anthems and the pledge of allegiance, symbolically connecting generations.

During the ceremony, the president of the Ethiopian Veterans Association emphasized, "Seventy-five years ago, our decision to travel to a foreign land to defend freedom became the foundation for peace and friendship between our two nations today. I hope that the spirit of sacrifice will be carried on by the next generation."

Jangang Ju, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ethiopia, is delivering a commemorative speech.

Jangang Ju, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ethiopia, delivered a commemorative speech, expressing deep gratitude and respect by stating, "The courage and sacrifice of the veterans laid the groundwork for the prosperity of today's Republic of Korea, and their noble dedication will never be forgotten."

The ceremony continued with the calling of veterans' names, a floral tribute, and a joint moment of silence, with additional floral tributes from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, further underscoring the meaning of international solidarity.

At the luncheon following the ceremony, participants had the opportunity to interact and share reflections on the meaning of the Korean War and the future of relations between the two countries.

Ok-Ran Lee, Chairperson, and In-Soo Jung, President of the United Nations Peace Village Foundation, presented medals and gifts to the veterans as a token of gratitude, while the ROTC Social Contribution Foundation and Warm Day also offered gifts to the veterans' families, further highlighting the spirit of sharing.

Chairman Ok-Ran Lee and President In-Soo Jung of the United Nations Peace Village Foundation are presenting medals and gifts to veterans and taking commemorative photos.

In-Soo Jung, President of the United Nations Peace Village Foundation, stated, "I bow my head in respect for the noble dedication of the veterans who came all the way to Korea, a distant country they had never heard of, and made legendary achievements. I was deeply moved when I heard the story of two sisters, one of whom was born seven months after their father went to fight in the Korean War, growing up never knowing his face, yet saying, 'Korea is always in my heart.' Many were brought to tears by this account."

Especially in the second part of the event, Warm Day's goodwill ambassador Mina Lee hosted a joint wedding ceremony for descendants of war veterans.

The ceremony was organized by the United Nations Peace Memorial Association (UNPK), which has devoted itself to supporting Ethiopian veterans and their descendants for over 30 years. UNPK's initiatives for veteran support, scholarships for descendants, and exchange programs are regarded as exemplary cases of civilian diplomacy.

Participating in a joint wedding ceremony of a couple who are descendants of war veterans.

During the event, a joint wedding ceremony for six couples, all descendants of veterans, was held, creating a deeply moving atmosphere. The six newlywed couples were married together in a single ceremony, marking a new beginning for them with the blessings of the community.

At this moment, the Gangnyu Choir performed a congratulatory song for the wedding, further warming the atmosphere. The choir's performance received enthusiastic applause from attendees and became a highlight of the event, adding to the overall sense of emotion.

Descendants of war veterans, the Gangnyu Choir, are performing a congratulatory song at a wedding.

Shin Kwangcheol, President of UNPK, said, "The path to building a family is not easy, but in moments of hardship, remember today and work together to overcome any challenges. I hope you will inherit the spirit of sacrifice of your predecessors and build families that support one another."

Spatinos, President of the Ethiopian Veterans Association, remarked in his congratulatory address, "Whenever you face difficult moments in life, I hope you will remember the sacrifices of your grandfathers, who were war veterans dedicated to freedom. By keeping that spirit in your hearts and relying on each other, you will build even stronger families."

Ha Okseon, head of the UNPK Ethiopian branch, noted, "The connections forged through the sacrifice of veterans are now being carried on through the lives and families of their descendants. I hope this occasion will be an opportunity to remember past dedication and expand future cooperation."

This commemoration went beyond a simple remembrance, demonstrating that the memories of the Korean War continue as a "living history" in the lives of descendants. It is expected that, building on the 75 years of shared history, the cooperation and solidarity between the two countries will deepen even further in the years ahead.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.