Descendants of veterans to visit UN cemetery

Seventeen descendants of Korean War veterans from eight countries currently studying at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will visit the U.N. Memorial Cemetery, Saturday, to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the war, which falls on June 25.

The students will pay their respects to their grandfathers and their fellow soldiers that fought in the war at the cemetery in the southern port city of Busan. They will be accompanied by HUFS President Park Chul and faculty members.

The Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950 and lasted some three years until July 27, 1953.

“It is important to remember the spirit of our fathers and grandfathers who shed their blood for the liberty and peace of Korea,” said Park.

“HUFS will endeavor to cultivate global leaders from their descendents, as a way to repay their sacrifices.”

Professors from the Turkish-Azerbaizani department and student representatives from the HUFS International Model United Nations will also participate.

“I heard a lot about the Korean War from my grandfather who fought in a battle in Yongin, south of Seoul, and I am honored to be able to pay my respects to his fellow soldiers,” said Turgut Alp Ozel, a 22-year-old Turkish student in the Sport and Leisure Department.

The university has been accepting students who are descendents of veterans from the countries that took part in the Korean War, in collaboration with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Korean War Memorial Foundation, since 2010.

At present around 30 foreign students are pursuing diplomas at HUFS under full scholarships. The school covers tuition fees and dormitory costs.

The foundation paid the living expenses for 13 students during their first year and the Aekyung Welfare Foundation provided 30 million won in scholarships for this year. <The Korea Times/Kim Bo-eun>

news@theasian.asia