Jeong Hee-yong sends thank-you letters to Korean War allies for 6th straight year; envoys respond with gratitude

People Power Party lawmaker Jeong Hee-yong has sent letters of gratitude to the embassies of the 22 UN member states that fought alongside South Korea in the Korean War for the sixth consecutive year. Several ambassadors wrote back, expressing appreciation for the effort to keep the memory of their veterans' sacrifice alive.

According to Jeong's office, the lawmaker sent the letters to all 22 embassies in Seoul to mark the month of national patriotism and veterans' affairs. Jeong has sent the annual thank-you letters every June since 2021.

In the letters, Jeong noted that his constituency of Chilgok-gun was the site of the 1950 Battle of Dabudong, widely regarded as the last line of defense that saved the Republic of Korea. "I send these letters every year with the conviction that we must never forget the sacrifice and dedication of the nations that fought with us," he wrote.

Jeong also outlined the purpose of an amendment to the Act on Honoring the Valor of UN Korean War Veterans, which he introduced in May. The bill would designate each participating country's first day of combat as its own "Korean War Participation Day," and establish a legal basis for scholarship programs for veterans' grandchildren as well as the development and distribution of digital educational content.

The embassies of the Philippines, Türkiye, South Africa and Greece all replied with letters of thanks.

Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Bernadette Therese Fernandez thanked Jeong for introducing the amendment, including its scholarship provisions for veterans and their grandchildren. Turkish Ambassador Murat Tamer said he was "deeply grateful for the efforts to honor the noble sacrifice of the UN Korean War veterans."

South African Ambassador Sindiswa Mngquku said she "pays tribute to the efforts to pass on the veterans' sacrifice to future generations," while Greek Ambassador Loukas Tsoukos expressed gratitude for "the annual letters and the dedicated efforts to honor the UN Korean War veterans."

"The people of Korea and future generations must remember the dedication of the nations that sacrificed for this country," Jeong said. "I will work to further strengthen the trust and cooperation between South Korea and the nations that fought alongside us."

Jeong also co-hosted a performance at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on Wednesday by the Kagnew Choir, a group made up of descendants of Ethiopian Korean War veterans, continuing his broader engagement with countries that participated in the conflict.