By Jun Ji-hye
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Tuesday that it will hold an international workshop to help participants compare their veterans’ welfare systems.
The 2015 International Workshop on Patriots and Veterans Affairs will open Wednesday at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building and run until Thursday, the ministry said.
Participants include officials in charge of veterans’ affairs from the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany and Korea as well as domestic experts on the matter.
“Participants can compare and analyze the systems of veterans’ welfare of each country, and share their vision for future policies,” said the ministry in a release. “The in-depth discussion on the direction of the nation’s veterans’ affairs and diplomacy will take place as this year marks the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule.”
In its 11th year, the annual workshop will feature a lecture from retired Gen. John Tilelli, who served as commander of U.S. Forces Korea from 1996 to 1999, about the role, importance and future of the Seoul-Washington alliance that has maintained peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. His lecture is scheduled for Thursday.
The participants will also listen to the experiences of Germany, which overcame war wounds and achieved peaceful reunification.
In addition, they will discuss how to strengthen ties between the countries that sent forces under the U.N. flag to the 1950-53 Korean War, and how to help future generations inherit such history.
“Establishing friendly cooperation through international exchanges is the beginning of achieving peaceful unification,” said a ministry official. “We will make every effort to promote exchanges between officials from each country and contribute to strengthening cooperation.”
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