청와대 "President Duque Reveals Connection with Korean War Orphan and Colombian Soldier at State Dinner"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Iv?n Duque M?rquez, President of Colombia, who made a state visit to Korea for 2 nights and 3 days from the 24th to the 26th, reportedly revealed the connection between Colombian soldiers and Korean War orphans during a dinner held immediately after a summit meeting with President Moon Jae-in.

◆ 'The Child in the Military Bag'... A Special Korea-Colombia Connection = On the 28th, the Blue House stated, "President Duque mentioned the special connection between Colombian soldiers dispatched during the Korean War and Korean war orphans in his dinner speech."

President Duque said, "A soldier who participated in the Korean War adopted a Korean war orphan, and after returning to Colombia following his service in the Korean War, he brought the adopted child with him and raised him," adding, "Although both the soldier and the child have now passed away, their descendants still live in Colombia."

President Duque introduced this story as the background when talking about meeting the grandson of the Colombian soldier who adopted the Korean child.

This story is also known domestically through the 1999 special feature on the Korean War titled 'The Child in the Military Bag.' A Colombian soldier who fought on the front lines of the barren battlefield during the Korean War found a war orphan and took care of him. The child wished to return to Colombia with the soldier, but since civilians were prohibited from boarding the returning ship, the child was secretly hidden in a military bag and returned to Colombia in 1954.

Upon arrival in Colombia, the child started a new life under a new name following the soldier's surname. In 1999, he visited Korea and reunited with his sister after 46 years, and passed away in 2015.

◆ President Duque Tweeted 27 Times... President Moon Responded = Also well known for his 'love for Korea,' President Duque posted a total of 27 messages on Twitter from the 23rd, when he departed Colombia, until the 26th, when he left Korea.

On the 23rd, as he departed Colombia, President Duque posted a message on his Twitter account saying, "I am making a state visit to Korea to strengthen historic relations." In response, President Moon retweeted Duque’s message on the 24th, welcoming him as "the first state guest to visit after COVID-19 in Latin America and North America," "the only Korean War participant country in Latin America," and "a true friend nation."

After concluding the summit and arriving in Colombia, President Duque tweeted on the 27th, "Through this visit, we have strengthened our historic brotherly relations and further advanced innovative, inclusive, sustainable, and digital bilateral cooperation," adding, "I express my gratitude and affection to the Korean people who kindly welcomed us," summarizing the significance of this visit.

◆ President Moon Expressed Gratitude to Colombian Veterans Wearing Hanbok = The Blue House also shared behind-the-scenes stories of President Moon expressing gratitude to Korean War veterans who attended the dinner. On the 25th, after the summit with President Duque, a dinner was held at the State Guest House, attended by Colombian Korean War veterans Guillermo Rodr?guez Guzm?n and ?lvaro Lozano Charry.

Mr. Rodr?guez, aged 91 this year, served as a platoon leader in the Colombian dispatched battalion from January to December 1952 during the Korean War and currently serves as the president of the Colombian Veterans Officers Association (ASOVECOR). Mr. Lozano, aged 87 this year, was dispatched as a Colombian Army soldier in December 1952 and participated in battles such as Hill 180 and the Battle of Buldok during the following year. He currently serves as the president of the Colombian Veterans Association (ASCOVE).

Mr. Rodr?guez and Mr. Lozano, who attended the state dinner wearing hanbok, were awarded the 'Apostle of Peace' medal, which expresses gratitude and respect for UN veterans. In his dinner speech, President Moon said, "Many young Colombians showed noble sacrifice and dedication for freedom and peace in a distant and unfamiliar country," adding, "Thanks to the noble dedication of these two veterans and the Colombian military, Korea has achieved its current prosperity. The Korean people will never forget the sacrifices of the veterans."

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