Korea creates war veterans hall in Colombia

By Jun Ji-hye

The Ministry of National Defense has built a hall in Colombia dedicated to supporting Korean War veterans of the South American country, the ministry said Thursday.

“We held a building completion ceremony in Bogota, Wednesday, as part of our efforts to express our gratitude to Colombian veterans who fought during the 1950-53 Korean War,” the ministry said.

Colombia, the only country in South America that sent troops to the Korean Peninsula, contributed naval forces such as warships during the conflict.

According to the ministry, the country sent 5,300 troops, and among them about 600 sacrificed their lives.

The 453-square-meter two-story building has a lounge for war veterans, an assembly hall, an exhibition, an audiovisual room and an office.

South Korea’s conglomerate Lotte Group sponsored its construction, the ministry noted.

The ministry added it will also build a similar building in Ethiopia.