Korean delegation visits Turkish Korean War veterans in Istanbul

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

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A Korean delegation visited two Turkish veterans of the Korean War to pay their respects in Istanbul’s Büyükçekmece district on July 31.

The visit was paid as part of the 18th Culture and Festival in Büyükçekmece.

A delegation from the South Korean province of Cheonan, which is a sister municipality of Büyükçekmece, visited war veterans Yaşar Erkanlı and Ahmet Özkanı in their homes, alongside Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün. 

Upon presenting decorations prepared by the Republic of Korea for veterans, members of the Korean delegation kneeled before the veterans to pay their respects. 

“We are grateful for the Turkish soldiers who fought for Korea’s freedom and democracy. This strong bond between Turkey and Korea stemming from history will be further increased and carried on by future generations,” the delegation stated.

Akgün also expressed his pleasure to be part of the visit.

“The Cheonan municipal delegation’s visit to our Turkish war veterans was both very touching and very pleasing,” he said.

Turkey joined the Korean War under U.N. Command from 1950 to 1953 in a bid to support South Korea in its struggle for freedom, democracy and independence. A total of 741 Turkish troops were killed in the war, the second highest among the U.N.-led bloc.

The two countries marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Korea on March 8.