S. Korea shows gratitude to overseas Korean War veterans with 1 million face masks
Arirang News
2020-06-25
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수혜국에서 지원국으로... 참전용사에 마스크로 ‘보은’
Over the last couple of weeks, South Korea has sent some one-million face masks to foreign Korean War veterans to help them stay strong in the COVID-19 pandemic.
It's Korea's way of showing gratitude for their service 70 years ago.
Lee Kyung-eun spoke to some who were on the receiving end. Three years of war.
Around two million soldiers from 21 allied countries fought in the Korean War for a country they'd never been to... or even heard about in some cases.
Seven decades have passed and these veterans are now on average 88 years old,... meaning they are in the high-risk group when it comes to COVID-19.
To help them stay safe and hopefully healthy,.. in May, the South Korean government sent around one-million face masks to veterans from all UN participant nations in the war.
"It's a small gesture to show our eternal gratitude for the sacrifices and contribution made by all overseas Korean War veterans."
One of the destinations was France.
"Our hearts were touched greatly by the South Korean government. I am truly grateful,...and will be for the rest of my life."
Other boxes,...to New Zealand.
"I received them in the hands of consulate general's office in Auckland, and delivered them personally, and I must admit it was a big surprise."
And the campaign even prompted a heart-felt letter to the South Korean embassy in Thailand.
It says, "my father has passed away, but we are thankful you remember the bereaved families of the veterans even though 70 years have passed. I hope both countries overcome COVID-19 together."
In the U.S., even Native American veterans in the Navajo nation received the masks, most of whom were code talkers using their native language.
And it was also a proud journey for South Korean citizens who contributed to the campaign.
"It makes me feel proud as a South Korean that we are now able to provide support to other countries, from which we once received help from."
Despite memories fading over the past 70 years...the bond South Korea shares with the overseas veterans of the Korean War remains unbreakable.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.
Over the last couple of weeks, South Korea has sent some one-million face masks to foreign Korean War veterans to help them stay strong in the COVID-19 pandemic.
It's Korea's way of showing gratitude for their service 70 years ago.
Lee Kyung-eun spoke to some who were on the receiving end. Three years of war.
Around two million soldiers from 21 allied countries fought in the Korean War for a country they'd never been to... or even heard about in some cases.
Seven decades have passed and these veterans are now on average 88 years old,... meaning they are in the high-risk group when it comes to COVID-19.
To help them stay safe and hopefully healthy,.. in May, the South Korean government sent around one-million face masks to veterans from all UN participant nations in the war.
"It's a small gesture to show our eternal gratitude for the sacrifices and contribution made by all overseas Korean War veterans."
One of the destinations was France.
"Our hearts were touched greatly by the South Korean government. I am truly grateful,...and will be for the rest of my life."
Other boxes,...to New Zealand.
"I received them in the hands of consulate general's office in Auckland, and delivered them personally, and I must admit it was a big surprise."
And the campaign even prompted a heart-felt letter to the South Korean embassy in Thailand.
It says, "my father has passed away, but we are thankful you remember the bereaved families of the veterans even though 70 years have passed. I hope both countries overcome COVID-19 together."
In the U.S., even Native American veterans in the Navajo nation received the masks, most of whom were code talkers using their native language.
And it was also a proud journey for South Korean citizens who contributed to the campaign.
"It makes me feel proud as a South Korean that we are now able to provide support to other countries, from which we once received help from."
Despite memories fading over the past 70 years...the bond South Korea shares with the overseas veterans of the Korean War remains unbreakable.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.
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