Seoul donates Korean War monument to Colombia

SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will donate a Korean War monument to Colombia this week in a show of appreciation for the thousands of Colombian troops who fought in the bloody 1950-53 war, the South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Friday.

The monument is a 4 by 2.5 meter sculpture of a Turtle Ship, or "Geobukseon," a
warship originally designed by legendary Korean naval chief Adm. Yi Sun-shin and
used against invading Japanese forces in the early 15th century. The sculpture
will be presented Saturday in Colombia's northern port city of Cartegena, the
ministry said.
"The monument will be set up at Cartegena's port, from where Colombian forces
departed for the Korean War," the ministry said in a press release.
Veterans Minister Kim Yang will attend the ceremony marking the delivery of the
monument, which is valued at 120 million won (US$100,000), in Cartegena and will
host a dinner for Colombian war veterans later Saturday, it said.
"He will also relay the country's deep appreciation to Colombia, which took part
in the Korean War to help defend the freedom and democracy of our nation," the
statement said.
Also at the ceremony will be Juan Manuel Santos Calderon, Colombia's minister of
defense, Guillermo Enrique Barrera Hutardo, the Colombian Navy chief of staff,
and Judith Pinedo Florez, mayor of Cartegena.
Over 5,100 Colombian forces fought in the three-year Korean War, with more than
200 killed and some 430 others injured.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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