Mayor Lee Jae-jun "Promoting Commemorative Project for Suwon Ankara Academy That Cared for Orphans"

Lee Jae-jun, Mayor of Suwon (right), is meeting with Salih Murat Tamer, Ambassador of Turkey to Korea, at Suwon City Hall on the 16th to discuss mutual interests. Photo by Suwon City Hall

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Suwon City in Gyeonggi Province is promoting a commemorative project for the 'Ankara Academy,' which was operated by the Turkish army during the Korean War to care for war orphans.

The Ankara Academy was a facility established by the Turkish army, which was stationed at the former Rural Development Administration site in Seodun-dong, Suwon City during the Korean War, to care for war orphans. The Turkish army supported about 640 war orphans at the Ankara Academy. The Turkish army withdrew in 1966, and the Ankara Academy was closed in 1974.

To commemorate the Turkish army that cared for the war orphans, Suwon City named an honorary road 'Ankara-gil' near Seoho Elementary School in Seodun-dong in October 2012. The following year, Ankara School Park was created near Seoho Elementary School.

On the 16th, Suwon City announced that Mayor Lee Jae-jun and Salih Murat Tamer, the Ambassador of Turkey to Korea, met at Suwon City Hall to discuss mutual cooperation plans. This meeting was arranged at Ambassador Tamer's request.

Ambassador Tamer told Mayor Lee, "The Ankara Academy in Suwon is a symbol that shows the history of both Korea and Turkey," and suggested, "It would be good if Suwon City and the Turkish Embassy in Korea cooperate to commemorate the Ankara Academy."

Mayor Lee Jae-jun responded, "We will actively consider promoting projects that remember and commemorate the Ankara Academy," and added, "I hope to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey in advance next year and hold meaningful commemorative events together with Suwon City."

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