The commemoration was held in honor of the servicemen of the Infantry Battalion No. 1 Colombia, as well as the crews of the frigates ARC Almirante Padilla, Capitán Tono and Almirante Brión.
In a heartfelt commemoration, the Minister of National Defense, Iván Velásquez, accompanied by the military commanders at an event organized by the Korean Embassy in Colombia, invited to reflect on the value of life, peace and coexistence.
At the event that was attended by military officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers, veterans who were part of the Korean War, the minister said: “War is always a defeat of humanity”, as quoted by Pope John Paul II during his New Year greeting to the world, in 2003, in an effort to stop wars and consolidate peace.
“That message, more than 20 years ago, aimed at the reflection of the governments of the world to end the war in the areas that were in conflict at that time. Unfortunately Colombia was, and continues to be, one of those areas,” Velásquez highlighted.
In this sense, the Minister said that the main objective of the Colombian Government as a power of life is to promote peace from four fundamental pillars that support the Policy of Security, Defense and Citizen Coexistence: protection of life, protection of the environment, protection of sovereignty and strengthening of the Military Forces.
“In this unwavering commitment to peace, we firmly believe that international cooperation is a support tool to ensure that noble objective, which is in the same way included in the 2030 agenda for sustainable development,” the Minister said.
The head of the Defense, in the same way, thanked the Ambassador and the Government of Korea for the educational assistance granted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of Korea to 200 students descending from Colombian veterans of the Korean War, resources amounting to more than 27 thousand dollars.
“Our gratitude for Korea's commitment and permanent partnership with Colombia. We are convinced that our special relationship will continue in the future. We reciprocate the recognition of the Korean people, which has proven to be eternal and indelible. Colombia and Korea have become brother countries because of this chapter of history,” the defense minister concluded.
Source: Defense Sector Communications Office - Ministry of National Defense
