The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sun, May 22, 2022 | 00:49
Embassy
Pakistan's Defense Day rekindles Korean War relief aid
Posted : 2019-09-16 15:17
Updated : 2019-09-16 18:39
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
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
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.

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
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.




Emailyistory@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
  • Adoptee's journey tracing her mother, origin and heritage
  • What to expect from first lady in summit diplomacy
  • Can Indo-Pacific help Korea reduce reliance on Chinese market?
  • Shocking treatment: Electricity in 19th-century medical treatment
  • Blinken remains elusive figure for Yoon administration
  • Korea-US summit expected to play role in each other's domestic elections
  • Biden's summit with Yoon to boost chip, battery, nuclear power stocks
  • Korean steelmakers unlikely to benefit from Biden's visit
  • Yoon appoints Han as prime minister after parliamentary confirmation
  • Fintech businesses yield both innovation and inclusion: Fintech Industry Association
  • Reality shows raise concerns by zooming in on private lives of people Reality shows raise concerns by zooming in on private lives of people
  • TvN drama 'Rose Mansion' criticized for animal abuse scene TvN drama 'Rose Mansion' criticized for animal abuse scene
  • 2 artists of Korean descent question hegemonic frameworks of race, gender 2 artists of Korean descent question hegemonic frameworks of race, gender
  • Jung Hye-sung to lead new series 'New Normal Zine' Jung Hye-sung to lead new series 'New Normal Zine'
  • Korean remakes, romance series to hit small screen in June Korean remakes, romance series to hit small screen in June
DARKROOM
  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group