Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
Mexican Korean War veterans no longer 'orphans of history'
Mexican veterans of the Korean War, from left in front row Roberto Sierra, Jesus Cantu and Jose Villarreal, pose with Korean and Mexican officials during a ceremony commemorating the establishment of the Korean War Veterans Association in Mexico in this April 24 file photo. Courtesy of Embassy of Mexico in Seoul
By Kwon Mee-yoo
By Bruno Figueroa
Bruno Figueroa, Mexican ambassador to Korea
In June 2020, then-Ambassador of Mexico to the United States Martha Barcena and I wrote an article in The Korea Times titled “
Mexicans: Forgotten soldiers of 1950-53 Korean War
” to recognize the more than 100,000 soldiers of Mexican origin who fought in this conflict as part of the U.S. Armed Forces. In one year, the progress of our research on the topic has been impressive and has brought unexpected results. We did not imagine at the time the positive impact that it would have on some Mexican veterans and their families.
As a mirror of the impact the war had in Mexican society, we discovered that three Mexican movies between 1951 and 1959 referred to the Korean War, from tragic to comic ways. In one of them, “I Like Them Brave!” (1959), Jose, who comes back from the United States married to a strong ranchera from the countryside, is scorned by the men of the village because he does not show courage. In the climax of the film, he opens in front of his wife a small coffer of his property and spills out photographs, press clippings in English and medals. He shouts to her that he was "a poor sergeant of Mexican origin who deserved the Congressional [United States] Medal for ... his cowardice!" Prejudice, indifference and lack of understanding was the sad fate of thousands of veterans of Mexican origin, in Mexico and the United States. Fortunately, that situation has started to change.
The support from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Mexico has been critical in finding four Mexican veterans alive to recognize their service. This led to the establishment of the first Association of Mexican Veterans of the Korean War on April 24, at the residence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Mexico, Suh Jeong-in.
I had the opportunity to meet the first president of the Association, Jose Villarreal, at his home near Mexico City, in January. He narrated some personal stories of the war and gave me a copy of his handwritten memoirs. When he arrived in Korea, he kept asking himself: “Did I come here to die?” From the United Nations coalition side, after Korean and American citizens, more Mexicans died than anybody else.
I have also been in close contact with veteran Roberto Sierra, since he is the father of a colleague ambassador of Mexico, and who never talked to his family about the atrocities he encountered during the war. He sheds tears while recounting the excruciating 40 days he spent in a hole behind enemy lines. It is never too late to recognize their trials and heroism.
Logo of Korean War Veterans Association in Mexico
Three veterans attended the establishment of the association, all above 90 years old: Sierra, Villarreal and Alberto Fernandez, while Jesus Cantu from Monterrey assisted remotely. The witnesses of honor were Minister of National Defense of Mexico General Luis Sandoval and First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Choe Jong-kun. Family members of five deceased veterans also participated in this heartfelt event which brought the veterans together. It was a very moving moment, with an abundance of tears from everyone.
In his congratulatory speech, Mexican Defense Minister Sandoval told the veterans that "although many Mexicans who fought lost their lives, you as survivors have been able to tell that important part of history ... You showed honor, courage, and daring, and the people of Mexico recognize your effort.” Through the ceremony these forgotten veterans ended suffering in silence and could start healing their scars by sharing their experiences. The Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has awarded these four Mexican veterans with the Apostle of Peace Medal.
The Embassy of Mexico in Korea and the Embassy of Korea in Mexico continue working together in finding more veterans alive or their families and in recognizing these anonymous heroes who contributed to the foundation of democracy in South Korea. We are seeking sponsorships in order to conduct in-depth historical research in Mexico, Korea and the U.S. on these soldiers. We are planning an exhibition to be held in Seoul in 2022, when we will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries.
Villarreal died in peace one week after the establishment of the association he briefly presided, on May 1. Minister for Patriots and Veterans Hwang Ki-chul offered prayers for him, and said in a press release: “Following his wishes, we will make various efforts to help future generations remember the sacrifices and devotion of Mexicans who fought in the Korean War.” Villarreal was no more an “orphan of history.”
Bruno Figueroa is ambassador of Mexico to Korea.