INTERVIEW Cork's lord mayor explores historical Korea-Ireland ties, paves way for future collaboration

Lord Mayor of Cork Kieran McCarthy, speaks of historical ties between Korea and Ireland during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, May 8. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Lord Mayor of Cork Kieran McCarthy found himself immersed in a journey of historical discovery during his week-long visit to Korea, which started May 6. Last year, an invitation arrived "out of the blue," inviting McCarthy to attend an international conference. The itinerary encompassed a deeper historical exploration of Korea and Cork dating back to the Korean War.

"Our engagement is very much about learning more, especially about the Irish involvement in the Korean War in the 1950s," he said during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, May 8.

During the 1950-53 Korean War, an estimated 6,000 Irish soldiers served as part of the United Nations forces. They were part of the 28th Commonwealth Brigade, which included troops from Canada, India and other Commonwealth nations. Additionally, some Irish soldiers from Northern Ireland served in the British Armed Forces during the conflict.

The exploration took the mayor to significant sites, including the War Memorial of Korea and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where he expressed surprise at discovering Cork's connections to Korea, Emotions ran high as McCarthy encountered the Irish memorial stone at the war memorial, underscoring the significance of Ireland's contribution.

"Sometimes in Ireland, we don't know how far people went, or sometimes we don't remember, celebrate, or commemorate the impact of Irish people and how they helped other countries right across the world," he said.

During his visit, discussions unfolded about potential partnerships between Cork and Korea, particularly in the realm of commemoration and historical exchange. McCarthy also highlighted plans for a partnership agreement between Jeongeup Museum in North Jeolla Province and Cork Public Museum, aimed at exchanging details on similarities between the Irish War of Independence and the Donghak Peasant Revolution, which was a significant uprising that occurred in Korea during the late 19th century.

The Irish War of Independence, also referred to as the Anglo-Irish War, occurred from 1919 to 1921 in Ireland. It involved Irish republicans fighting for independence from British rule.

"The Peasant Revolution emerged in the eighteen nineties, which probably reflects a similar perspective in Ireland where the revolution (Irish War of Independence) began to grow," he said.

Reflecting on the historical ties between the two nations, McCarthy emphasized the importance of not merely acknowledging them but also actively leveraging them for mutual benefit.

"There's historical links, but no one's really overly moved them," he said. "We need to sit down and strategize."

McCarthy sees an opportunity to further strengthen cultural ties between Korea and Cork with “very strong educational institutions and a vibrant cultural scene."

"At this moment in time, the focus is on cultural exchange," he said, emphasizing the importance of sharing methodologies of commemoration and historical research.

The mayor highlighted the significant role that education plays in fostering international connections, noting Cork's two universities actively seeking to attract students from abroad, including Korea.

"We are lucky to have two universities, and I know they are eager to welcome students from Korea to Ireland," he said. "There is massive potential to do more in Korea and Ireland. But there needs to be a strategic document drawn up to outline what we can do."

McCarthy, who views second cities as hubs of agility and innovation, stressed Cork's capacity to contribute significantly to bilateral relations, claiming second cities have a lot to offer with ecosystems that can move quicker.

The interview concluded with McCarthy expressing excitement about attending a conference in Korea and meeting with members of the Irish community there. "It's been a great adventure so far," McCarthy said. "These projects are really important for promoting peaceful exchange and fostering mutual understanding."