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President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed his gratitude on the 25th to Luxembourg veterans who fought for Korea as part of the United Nations forces, two days before the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement. In particular, President Yoon held meetings with the leaders of Luxembourg and New Zealand, countries that participated in the Korean War, demonstrating his commitment to honoring veterans.

On the afternoon of the same day, at the reception room of the Yongsan Presidential Office, President Yoon met with veteran L?on Moawad (92) before his meetings with Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, and Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand. He said, "It is the 70th anniversary of the armistice, and I sincerely thank you for making the long journey here in such a meaningful year." Prime Minister Bettel visited the Presidential Office with veteran Moawad, who fought against North Korean forces in the Cheorwon area during the Korean War.

President Yoon expressed his appreciation to veteran Moawad, who visited the Presidential Office using a walking aid, saying, "I am relieved and pleased to see you in such good health."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is guiding the way after taking a commemorative photo with Leon Moaeng Yongsa (92) and Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg (left), at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

When President Yoon asked about his memories of the Korean War, veteran Moawad replied, "I don't remember exactly, but some memories remain," adding, "I don't recall everything completely, but many things come to mind."

Regarding his injury from a gunshot wound and subsequent evacuation to Japan for treatment before returning to the front, veteran Moawad explained, "I was hospitalized for four months due to an injury in my left leg," and "I suffered a penetrating wound to the bone. I was unable to use my leg," describing the situation at the time.

Foreign Minister Park Jin, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik, National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong, and First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo also welcomed the veterans.

Following this, President Yoon held successive meetings with Prime Minister Bettel and Governor-General Kiro. These leaders visited to attend the International Veterans Ministers' Meeting hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on the 26th, marking the 70th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement. The participating countries in this meeting are the 22 nations that supported Korea as part of the United Nations forces during the Korean War.

Government officials from 14 countries, including the United States, Thailand, Belgium, Colombia, Ethiopia, Canada, the Philippines, New Zealand, France, Australia, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, T?rkiye, and the United Kingdom, have come to Korea to participate in this event. The remaining eight countries will be represented by their ambassadors to Korea as part of their delegations.

Among them, Luxembourg had a population of about 200,000 at the time of deployment but sent 100 combat troops, making it the country with the highest troop deployment relative to its population among the 22 participating nations.

New Zealand also deployed six naval vessels and 3,794 troops during the Korean War, and the remains of 32 New Zealand soldiers are interred at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan.

President Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, ahead of their meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul on the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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