PH Embassy in Seoul Welcomes PEFTOK Descendants and Korean War Veterans
Ambassador-designate to South Korea Noe A. Wong (sitting, fifth from left) and Department of Defense Undersecretary Ernesto G. Carolina (sitting, fifth from right) pose with the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) veterans and their families (in blue vests). (Seoul PE photo)
SEOUL 30 July 2019 – As part of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Korea and to highlight the important role played by the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) during the Korean War, two events were facilitated by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.
On 25 June 2019, Ambassador-designate to South Korea Noe A. Wong hosted a dinner for 12 descendants of Korean War veterans from the Philippines, with ages 18-27 years, who were invited to Seoul by the Korea Freedom Federation Philippines (KFFP).
The KFFP, a Korean non-profit organization, initiated a program in which descendants of Filipino Korean War veterans are invited to visit Seoul and its historical and cultural sites, as an expression of appreciation for the sacrifices of the Filipino veterans of the Korean War.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador-designate Wong expressed his appreciation to KFFP for its initiative to sustain the friendly relations between the Philippines and Republic of Korea (ROK). Mr. Lee Kyung Soo, President of KFFP, stated in his rep to continue honoring the services and memories of the PEFTOK veterans through their descendants.
The Embassy also received a delegation composed of PEFTOK veterans and their families headed by Defense Undersecretary Ernesto G. Carolina on 1 July 2019. The visit of the PEFTOK veterans and their families was organized by a Korean nonprofit organization, Korea and Her Neighbors (KHN), in celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
The KHN initiative hopes to create awareness among the young Korean generation about the Filipino veterans’ role in Korea’s modern history. In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Wong spoke about meeting Koreans who often talked about the help they received from Filipino soldiers during the Korean War and how grateful they are to them. Undersecretary Carolina then delivered his brief remarks on behalf of the veterans and presented Ambassador Wong with the book “Filipinos In The Korean War” by Cesar P. Pobre.
The Korean War began on 25 June 1950, where the Philippines was the first Asian country to respond to the call by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), then headed by General Carlos P. Romulo, to send combat troops in the defense of South Korea from the invasion of the North.
PEFTOK was composed of 7,420 soldiers and their bravery and combat proficiency stood out especially during the Battle of Yuldong and the Battle of Eerie Hill. PEFTOK casualties included 116 killed in action, 299 wounded in action, 57 missing in action and 41 repatriated prisoners of war.
To date, the friendship forged between the Philippine veterans and the Koreans remains strong and continues to flourish. END
Ambassador-designate to South Korea Noe A. Wong and Madame Maria Elena Wong (center) and Embassy officials with the descendants of Filipino veterans of the Korea War. (Seoul PE photo)
Left photo: Ambassador Wong (standing) welcomes the Descendants of Filipino Veterans of the Korean War. Right photo: Korea Freedom Federation Philippines (KFFP) President Kyung Soo Lee (standing) delivers his remarks during the Embassy hosted dinner. (Seoul PE photo)
Left photo: Undersecretary Carolina delivers his brief remarks in behalf of PEFTOK veterans. Right photo: Ambassador Wong welcomes PEFTOK veterans to the Embassy. (Seoul PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.seoulpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philembassy-seoul.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinKorea/.