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| Defense Attache Col. Naveed Ahmed Abbassi at the Embassy of Pakistan in Seoul delivers a speech during a celebration of Pakistan's Defense Day at the Army Club of the Ministry of National Defense in Yonsan-gu, central Seoul, Sept. 9. / Embassy of Pakistan |
By Yi Whan-woo
Pakistan's celebration of its Defense Day in Seoul may not interest South Koreans in general, considering military relations are not noticeably close.
However, this year's celebration in Seoul rekindled at least one reason why South Koreans should pay interest — Pakistan was one of the 63 countries that helped South Korea or expressed intent of support during and after the 1950-53 Korean War.
The South Asian country was among the 39 countries that provided relief aid. Sixteen other countries including the United States sent combat forces, while another five — Denmark, India, Italy, Norway and Sweden — offered medical support. The remaining three — Bolivia, Brazil and Nicaragua — declared intent of support, although this did not result in action.
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| Defense Attache Col. Naveed Ahmed Abbassi, front row fifth from right, and Ambassador Rahim Hayat Qureshi, front row sixth from right, at the Embassy of Pakistan in Seoul pose with other dignitaries during a reception to mark Pakistan's Defense Day at the Army Club of the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, Sept. 9. / Embassy of Pakistan |
"Relations between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) started during the Korean war, when Pakistan, being a very new country on the map of the Earth, assisted ROK with $378,000 and tons of wheat," Defense Attache Col. Naveed Ahmed Abbassi at the Embassy of Pakistan in Seoul said during a reception last week to celebrate the 54th Defense Day.
The amount of support, according to Abbassi, was the third-biggest financial contribution from around the world during the Korean War.
It also came before Pakistan and South Korea established diplomatic ties in November 1983.
"Today our defense relations include training exchanges, participation in joint exercises, seminars and exhibitions, defense industries collaboration and exchange of intelligence. I hope that this relation will further grow with increased and regular interactions between the armed forces of both countries," Abbassi said.
The reception was held at the Ministry of National Defense's Army Club in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Sept. 9.
Among the guests were Pakistani Ambassador to South Korea Rahim Hayat Qureshi, South Korea's Director of Foreign Intelligence Rear Adm. Kim Hyun-il, and defense attaches from 30 countries.
Pakistan has been a part of U.S.-led Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) since the Sept. 11 terror attacks in 2011.
Abbassi underscored Pakistan has been "the frontline ally in the GWOT," pointing out the fervor and steadfastness of the Pakistani people and its armed forces, especially the "unparalleled" sacrifices endured by the children, women and the elderly and in total suffered over 80,000 lives and financial losses amounting to $130 billion.
"Pakistan armed forces confronted terrorism squarely and boldly and turned the tide of war against terrorism, the only one who have done it in the modern history … Pakistan is a leader in counter terrorism efforts both globally and regionally and will continue to play this role with due responsibility and national resolve," he added.
He underlined that the country has faced many internal and external challenges since its independence from British rule in 1947, but its military "thwarted all these threats and challenges courageously."
He addressed Pakistan's contribution to U.N. peacekeeping missions since 1960 when its first contingent was sent to Congo.
Up till now more than 172,000 Pakistani soldiers including 400 women have served as peacekeepers. Among them, 157 soldiers and 24 officers lost their lives during these missions.
The Defense Day pays tribute to the Pakistani soldiers who defended frontiers of Pakistan during the 1965 war against India.
