Special Exhibition Commemorating Mexican Veterans of the 6·25 War Opens (Comprehensive)

POSCO-Sponsored Visit to Korea Achieved After 70 Years

The War Memorial announced on the 27th that it will jointly hold a special exhibition on Mexican veterans of the Korean War, titled "I Returned from Korea," with the Embassy of Mexico in Korea from the 28th to September 28th. The photo shows a painting by veteran Cesar Augusto Borja, displayed in the special exhibition, titled "The Moment of Sailing from Japan to Korea." [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Jong-min] A special exhibition for Mexican veterans of the Korean War was held at the War Memorial of Korea on the 28th.

The War Memorial of Korea announced on the same day that, in cooperation with the Embassy of Mexico in Korea, it will hold a special exhibition titled "I Returned from Korea" for Mexican veterans of the Korean War for three months until September 28, commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Mexico.

The opening ceremony that morning was attended by Lee Sang-chul, Director of the War Memorial of Korea, Park Min-sik, Commissioner of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Bruno Figueroa, Ambassador of Mexico to Korea, and Chung Tak, President of POSCO.

In particular, Mexican veterans Sierra Barbosa Roberto, Fernandez Almada Alvero Jesus, Rosano Bustos Antonio, and the families of veterans also participated.

This visit to Korea by Mexican veterans who fought in the Korean War is the first in over 70 years since their participation. Although Mexico was not an official combatant country with a formal combat unit in the Korean War, as a country that provided material and financial support, many Mexicans served in the U.S. military under the military service agreement between the U.S. and Mexico at the time. It is estimated that more than 100,000 Mexicans or Mexican-Americans served as U.S. troops during the Korean War.

The fact that numerous Mexican soldiers fought on the Korean Peninsula as part of the U.S. military has only recently become widely known. The Korean Embassy in Mexico confirmed five surviving veterans and five deceased veterans through the "Hidden Veterans Campaign," and a veterans' association was formed last year.

At the farewell dinner held at the Mexican Ambassador's residence on the 24th, the day before their visit to Korea, the veterans gathered appeared excited about their trip. Mr. Alberto Fernandez Almada (92) said, "I want to see how Korea, which was once in ruins, has become one of the top ten economies in the world," adding, "I am truly grateful and happy to have this opportunity."

POSCO, which is assisting this visit, plans to guide the veterans and their families to various famous spots in Seoul as well as to Daejeon, Pohang, Busan, and Incheon to show them the changed face of Korea.

The War Memorial of Korea stated that this exhibition was planned to raise interest in Mexican veterans who fought as part of the U.S. military in the Korean War and to remember their dedication. The exhibition features artifacts such as record paintings drawn by the veterans themselves and telegrams containing news of injuries, along with the stories of the veterans behind them.

The War Memorial of Korea expressed hope that "this will be a valuable opportunity to remember the sacrifices of the previously unknown Mexican veterans and to strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries."

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