Colombia was sole South America country which dispatched their soldiers to Korea during the Korean War period among many South American countries.
Starting from 1951 until 1953, a total of 4,058 Colombia soldiers participated in the Korean War and in such a process, 156 Colombia soldiers died as well as 610 persons were wounded, according to the Embassy of Colombia.
A commemorative event for their Colombia soldiers' partcipation in the Korean War took place at the War Memorial Hall in the morning on June 25th while many envoys were present including US Amb. Harry Harris, France Amb. Philippe Lefort, Turkey Amb. Durmug Ersin Ercin, Greece Amb. Ifigeneia Kontoleontos, Mexico Amb. Bruno Figueroa Fischer, Paraguay Amb. Irineo Raul Silvero Silvagni, Argentina Amb. Alfredo Carlos Bascou, Guatemala Amb. Marco Tulio Chicas Sosa, Boliva Charge d'Affaires a.i. Mr. Luis Pablo Ossio Bustillos, Costa Rica Charge d'Affaires a.i. Mr. Jorge Valerio, Ecuador Charge d'Affaires. a. i. Mr. Jhonny Dagoberto Reinoso Vasquez, Philippines Charge d'Affaires a.i. Mr. Christian I. De Jusus etc.
Through his commemorative speech at the podium, Colombia Amb. Caizar Rozero said Colombia soldiers' participation in the Korean War is being illuminated newly in that those Colombia soldiers' participation contributed to collective security activities of UN.
This was the result of the U.S. cooperation and influence, along with the absolute support of the U.N. Security Council's resolution to punish North Korea, according to the opinion of observers.
Meanwhile, Colombia's dispatch to Korea has also had a significant impact on the Colombian military's modernization process. It is known that the combat knowledge acquired based on actual experience served as a foundation for the strategic reinforcement and development of the Colombian military.
여홍일 기자 yeo1998@unitel.co.kr