Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

National Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup (in the middle) visited the Turkish Embassy in Seoul and offered condolences to Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer (on the far left).

Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Park Min-shik (fourth from the left), and seven heads of veterans’ organizations visited the Turkish Embassy in Korea on February 14 and extended condolences to Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer (third from the left).

Following a powerful earthquake in Turkey that caused over 30,000 deaths, individuals from various backgrounds conveyed their sympathies to the Turkish Embassy. On February 9th, President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the embassy to express his condolences. On February 13th and 14th, the National Defense Minister, Lee Jong-sup, and the Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister, Park Min-shik, also visited the embassy and offered their condolences to the Turkish people.

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On February 13th, Minister Lee from the Ministry of National Defense visited the Turkish Embassy in Seoul to offer his condolences. During the visit, he met with Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer and expressed his sympathy following the earthquake. Minister Lee also wrote a message in the condolence book, in which he conveyed his support for the Turkish people and pledged to aid in relief efforts as much as possible.

Minister Park, along with seven leaders of veterans' groups, including Son Hee-won, the president of the Korean War Veterans Association, and Kim Jeong-gyu from the Korea Association of Persons with Distinguished Military Services, visited the Turkish Embassy in Korea on February 14th to offer their condolences.

Minister Park said that the ministry will prepare various support measures by investigating the damages of Korean War veterans and families in the quake-hit areas, and delivered a donation worth 230 million won collected from the staff of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans, affiliated agencies and 14 veterans’ organizations.

Expressing his condolences, Minister Park conveyed his wish for the safety of Korean War veterans and their families, who sacrificed themselves to defend Korea about 70 years ago. He also highlighted the importance of standing by them and their country during this difficult time, just as they were with Korea during times of crisis in the past.

The Korea ROTC Central Association announced on February 14th that they had collected 157,023,100 won through a donation drive to support relief efforts in Turkey. The funds raised will be utilized in the recovery and reconstruction of the areas affected by the earthquake, with support being provided to victims in coordination with the Turkish government.

Han Jin-woo, president of the Korea ROTC Central Association, said, “Turkey is a blood brother country that participated in the Korean War with deep historic ties to Korea, and I offer condolences to the Turkish people who were uprooted by the unexpected disaster.”

By Hyun-woo, Seo <lgiant61@dema.mi.kr>

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