BY WORKU BELACHEW
ADDIS ABABA — Six decades and plus from now Africa had been under the heavy hand of colonialism, but Ethiopia was the only nation representing the continent and stood by the side of innocent people who were invaded by aggressors and fought bravely joining hands with the American-led UN force in South Korea.
Ethiopians knew what loneliness mean, as their appeal to the League of Nations in 1936 did not entertain a response according to the League's principle of collective security. Hence, the Italian invading force occupied some parts of the nation for five years.
After the end of WWII, South Korea had been in same situation. As a founding member of the United Nations, Ethiopia accepted the call of the UN to support South Korea according to its Charter and responded quickly. Accordingly, Kagnew Battalion, best soldiers selected from First Division Imperial Body Guard had received intense training on the mountains of Ethiopia.
After the end of WWII, South Korea had been in same situation. As a founding member of the United Nations, Ethiopia accepted the call of the UN to support South Korea according to its Charter and responded quickly. Accordingly, Kagnew Battalion, best soldiers selected from First Division Imperial Body Guard had received intense training on the mountains of Ethiopia.
“We were there to support the helpless South Korean people, our presence by no means need to be translated as war against ideology, be it capitalism or communism,” Ethiopia Korean War Veterans Association President Colonel Melesse Tessema told at a press conference organized regarding the commemoration of the 62nd anniversary of Korean War send-off and Ethiopian martyrs next Saturday.
He further said commemorating Ethiopian Korean War martyrs at the St. Trinity Cathedral where their bodies were made to rest and paying tribute to South Koreans for their support for the war veterans as well as their families are among the programmes scheduled for the day.
“We won't forget what the late Prime Minister Meles deed to us. He was on our side when we establish this association and also had active involvement when the Korean government decided to pay a regular allowance for the war survivors,” he said, adding veterans faced various challenges to establish this association during the previous Derg regime and it was in Meles time we got due recognition.
Ethiopians not only participated in the war, but had done miraculous deeds . In all the 253 patrols and six full scale wars 122 died and 534 received wounds . Ethiopia sent over 6,000 soldiers of which 3,500 were engaged in the war .
“We won't forget what the late Prime Minister Meles deed to us. He was on our side when we establish this association and also had active involvement when the Korean government decided to pay a regular allowance for the war survivors,” he said, adding veterans faced various challenges to establish this association during the previous Derg regime and it was in Meles time we got due recognition.
Ethiopians not only participated in the war, but had done miraculous deeds . In all the 253 patrols and six full scale wars 122 died and 534 received wounds . Ethiopia sent over 6,000 soldiers of which 3,500 were engaged in the war .
“We were soldiers as any of our fellows but the spirit of our forefathers had been with us and we even did not have any war prisoner, nor did have a single person missed after the 1953 cease-fire,” narrates Association Vice President Captain Yilma Belachew.
He also made clear that Ethiopians never left their dead and wounded behind. “We treated the injured and evacuated the dead,” he added.
He also made clear that Ethiopians never left their dead and wounded behind. “We treated the injured and evacuated the dead,” he added.
The relations between Ethiopia and South Korea is bonded with blood and they are now helping us in various ways including awarding veterans children with scholarship in technical and vocational trainings. Accordingly, 60 youngsters are now in South Korea attending their training while preparations have been finalized to send another 120 this year.
He also made clear that Ethiopians never left their dead and wounded behind. “We treated the injured and evacuated the dead
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