Why President Moon Presented a Gift to a Nurse Living in Austria

Austrian Nurse Who Cared for Hansen's Disease Patients on Sorokdo for 40 Years... President Moon Delivers Red Ginseng, Knee Blanket, and Personal Letter

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "The love shown through dedication was ‘action and sincerity,’ and even now many Korean citizens miss the nurses." On the 23rd, President Moon Jae-in and the First Lady expressed their gratitude to two Austrian nurses through a letter sent via Ambassador Shin Jae-hyun to Austria.

The reason President Moon gave red ginseng and knee blankets along with the letter to nurses residing in Austria is because they have a special story. The two nurses are Marianne St?ger and Margaret Pisaret.

Park Kyung-mi, spokesperson for the Blue House, explained, "Nurses Marianne and Margaret cared for the wounds and pain of Hansen’s disease patients on Sorokdo Island for 40 years. In 2005, when their health deteriorated, they left a letter saying they did not want to be a burden and returned to their home country, which deeply moved our people."

The two nurses were made honorary citizens of the Republic of Korea in June 2016. In 2017, a documentary film highlighting their lives was produced and screened in both Korea and Austria. President Moon wanted to meet the two nurses during his visit to Austria, but could not because they live in Innsbruck, far from Vienna, where the summit was held.

Spokesperson Park said, "President Moon expressed his gratitude at the Austria summit and state banquet, stating that the love and dedicated service of nurses Marianne and Margaret served as a bridge for the development of friendly cooperative relations," and added, "Since the two nurses live in the Innsbruck area, far from Vienna, it was regrettable that he could not meet them in person during this visit to Austria, so instead he sent a letter and gifts."

In the letter, President Moon and the First Lady recalled the warm meal they shared when they met at the 100th anniversary event of the National Sorokdo Hospital in 2016, and wished for them to "stay by our side for a long, long time," expressing their hopes for their health.

Spokesperson Park explained, "Nurses Marianne and Margaret expressed their gratitude that the President of the Republic of Korea, their spiritual and second homeland, remembered them and sent a letter and gifts."

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