Lee vows to expand support for Korean War veterans in Turkey

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with Korean residents in Turkey at a hotel in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday. Yonhap

ANKARA — President Lee Jae Myung pledged to expand support for Turkish veterans who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War during a meeting with Korean residents in Turkey on Tuesday.

Lee emphasized the role of the Korean community as a "bridge" between the two nations, noting that they are "even more important than ambassadors" in representing Korea.

"Turkey and the Republic of Korea share a special relationship, and we will continue forward by cooperating with each other," Lee said, reaffirming the long-standing historical ties forged during the Korean War.

During the meeting, one resident raised the need for a memorial space in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, to honor Turkish veterans of the Korean War and asked for Seoul's diplomatic support for the project.

In response, Lee instructed the Korean Embassy in Turkey to closely review the proposal and consult with both governments on possible support measures.

Lee also noted that he had already issued special instructions to the minister of patriots and veterans affairs to expand assistance for families of those killed in action.

Earlier in the day, Lee paid tribute at the Korean War Memorial in the capital city of Ankara and met surviving Turkish veterans who fought in the war as part of the United Nations troops.

During Lee's state visit, Korea and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding to support Turkish Korean War veterans and to promote exchanges between veterans' associations and descendants of veterans from both countries.