.jpg) Turkish veterans celebrate with Korean Navy officers in a Korean War ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey, in this file photo taken on Sept. 19. Turkey celebrated its National Day at a reception in Seoul, Oct. 25. / Korea Times |
By Philip Iglauer
Turkey said it attaches special importance to relations with Korea by virtue of its participation in the Korean War as it celebrated the 88th anniversary of its foundation as a modern nation on Oct. 25.
At Turkey’s National Day reception in Seoul, Turkish Ambassador to Korea Naci Saribas said, “Turkey and Korea have a long and strong relationship which has its roots in the history ― The participation and the sacrifices of the Turkish troops in the Korean War.”
Turkey was one of the first countries in the world to recognize Korea as an independent country, establishing diplomatic relations on Aug. 11, 1949. It opened its embassy in Seoul in 1957.
Turkey sent thousands of soldiers in what later came to be called, “The Turkish Brigade.” Turkey saw 721 men killed in fighting, 2,111 wounded. Some 168 men remain missing in action. Nearly 15,000 men served in three successive brigades from 1950-1953.
Like Korea, Turkey was forged as a modern state from a devastating war and social turmoil. Saribas said that Turkey emerged in the aftermath of the Independence War and under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
In terms of economic relations between the two nations, Saribas said “I will extend my utmost effort to pave the way to further enhance our cooperation on avenues like trade, investments, energy, industry, tourism and cultural relations between our countries.”
In a recent speech at a conference of the joint Turkish and Korean business councils, Park Won-jin, chairman of the Korean-Turkish Business Council, said that Korean firms will work jointly with Turkish companies to participate in building the metro system of Istanbul.
Korea's direct investment in Turkey now amounts to about $150 million, including a Hyundai Motor auto plant, an LG air conditioner factory, and a Mando auto parts factory, Park said in the speech.
![[INTERVIEW] North Korean-born chef delights Southerners' taste buds, breaks down cultural barriers](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/3a6dc51899d548b990f489b784a0ecd3.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[Analysis] Yoon-Kishida meeting raises expectations of 3-way summit with China](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/f435e5a0dc774045ba9e051c7ea72913.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'The Glory' actress Lim Ji-yeon says she wanted everyone to hate her character](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/5dd32010f2884ea980ea246cea8a7d9a.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
