Gov't, KAI join NGO charity campaign for Filipino veterans of Korean War

This screenshot from OnDay shows photos of Filipino veterans of Korean War, Thursday.

The government and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the country’s aircraft manufacturer, have joined a fund-raising campaign for Filipino veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said on Thursday that, along with KAI, it signed an agreement to support a charity campaign, launched by OnDay, a Seoul-based NGO, for the Filipino veterans and their families in honor of their sacrifice for South Korea’s freedom.

As part of the deal, KAI will provide the organization with 50 million won ($36,000) to help the Filipino veterans and those of other nations that came to the aid of South Korea in the wake of the country being invaded by North Korea.

According to OnDay, the money raised from the campaign will be used to improve the living conditions of the Filipino veterans and support their struggling families. For instance, Benito, a 90-year-old veteran, suffered leg injuries during the war and has struggled financially ever since, the NGO said on its website.

“We should remember the sacrifice and the spirit of those who risked their lives for the sake of South Korea,” it said. “It’s our turn to help them.”

So far, more than 31,000 people have participated in the campaign, which will run until July 1.

The Philippines, the third country to send ground combat troops to South Korea during the war, dispatched 7,420 soldiers. Among them, 112 were killed and 299 wounded.

The ministry said it would continue to expand its collaboration with NGOs to honor Korean War veterans of all countries that fought for South Korea together under the flag of the U.N. Command.