By Honorary Reporters Kenya Contreras from Venezuela and Romina Palay from Argentina

The Korean Embassy in Bogota on June 1 holds a ceremony to deliver protective masks and other necessities to Colombian veterans of the Korean War amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Embassy of Korea in Colombia)

Colombia: lone Latin American country to help Korea

"Thank to its participation (in the Korean War), the Colombian military changed its doctrine and means of operating to become a more professional force."

This is what (Ret.) Col. Juan Fernando Rodríguez of the Center for Historical Studies of the Colombian Army said about his country's participation in the Korean War. He reflected on that difficult moment in history and the advances Korea has since made.

"Korea is now one of the world's great powers, and this is comforting and makes me believe that going to Korea was worthwhile," he said.

Colombia was the only Latin American country to heed the call of the United Nations to send troops to fight after North Korea invaded the southern half of the Korean Peninsula on June 25, 1950. Around 5,100 troops from the Colombian army and 300 from its navy fought on Korean soil, with 163 killed in action, 69 missing and 448 injured.

In 2011, Korea began assisting Colombian students descended from Colombians who fought in the war. This year, the Korean government sent to Colombian veterans of the conflict face masks, necessities and nutritional supplements amid the pandemic. The Korean Embassy in Bogota also offered guidance, equipment and financial support for these veterans.

Screenshot from the YouTube video "The Amazing Story of My Grandfather in North Korea" (Liry Onni)

Argentina: 2nd home of Korean War hero 

The Argentine Korean YouTuber Liry Onni in a video told about her grandparents, who were born in North Korea and fled to the peninsula's southern side early in the Korean War. In an eight-page letter, her grandfather Lee Ju-hoon, 90, in 2013 wrote about his war experience to a friend from elementary school, whom he contacted through an association in South Korea that reconnects those originally from North Korea who live outside of the Korean Peninsula.

In December 1950, Lee was part of 100,000 North Koreans rescued in the Heungnam Evacuation on Geojedo Island, where the parents of President Moon Jae-in were also evacuated. After going to a refugee camp, Lee moved to Busan seeking a better life, which he achieved to an extent after the war after joining the Republic of Korea Army's artillery infantry.

After several decades serving his country, Lee, who was promoted to general, received compensation for his services. With a family in his care, he immigrated to Argentina in the 1980s with the help of his brother-in-law, received economic security after starting a clothing business and enjoyed a calmer life.

His granddaughter said his letter was a great discovery that allowed her to better understand the Korean War. By sharing her grandfather's memories with her audience, she said she wanted to reflect on the terrible experiences of Koreans 70 years ago and how such tribulations shaped them to be what they are today.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.