Korea-Ethiopia Foreign Ministers Talk, Agree to Strengthen Relations on 70th Anniversary of the 6·25 War

Ethiopia, the Only African Country to Send Ground Troops in the Korean War, Provides 25,000 Diagnostic Test Kits
40,000 Masks Supported for Surviving Veterans and Families

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the afternoon of the 12th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held a phone call at the request of Gedu Andargachew, Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, exchanging views on the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and ways to develop bilateral relations.

The two ministers particularly evaluated that through cases such as △humanitarian support including diagnostic kits to Ethiopia during the COVID-19 response △cooperation from Ethiopia as a transit point during the rotation of the Hanbit Unit troops in South Sudan △and cooperation to support the return of Korean nationals in the African region, they were able to reaffirm the close bilateral relationship.

Minister Gedu stated, "We appreciate the timely support of COVID-19 diagnostic kits and other quarantine supplies to Ethiopia from both the Korean government and private sector," adding, "This demonstrates the long-standing friendship and solidarity between the two countries."

Minister Kang said, "Korea values its relationship with Ethiopia, a country that participated in the Korean War, and was the first among African countries to provide humanitarian aid from our government," adding, "We should continue to cooperate not only in responding to COVID-19 but also in the healthcare sector going forward."

She continued, "We plan to further expand support not only to Ethiopia but also to other African countries." The Korean government provided 25,000 diagnostic test kits to Ethiopia on the 12th of last month.

Minister Kang said, "Despite the difficulties in movement due to COVID-19, thanks to the prompt and active cooperation of the Ethiopian government, our Hanbit Unit troops in South Sudan were able to smoothly rotate through Addis Ababa to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)," adding, "Koreans who gathered in Addis Ababa from various African countries were also able to return safely."

In response, Minister Gedu said, "The assistance provided by the Ghana Korean Association in helping Ethiopian students in Ghana return home is an example that shows the strong friendship not only between the two governments but also between the peoples of both countries, and I would like to express my gratitude for this." After the 12th rotation of the Hanbit Unit was deployed to South Sudan on the 19th-20th of last month, 60 Koreans boarded the return flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Ghana Korean Association arranged connecting flights between Ghana and Ethiopia for the return flight and supported six Ethiopians studying in Ghana to board at minimal cost.

Minister Kang said, "On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War this year, I would like to express special gratitude to Ethiopian veterans, their families, and the Ethiopian government, and I hope that the masks provided by our government will be helpful to the veterans and their families." In response, Minister Gedu said, "Ethiopia values its special relationship with Korea, which does not forget its veterans and their families, and hopes that the bonds and cooperation between the two countries will continue."

Meanwhile, Ethiopia is the only African country that dispatched ground troops to the Korean War, sending 3,518 soldiers. 121 were killed and 536 wounded. The Korean government delivered 40,000 masks to surviving Ethiopian veterans and their families on the 20th of last month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.