UNMCK - UNITED NATIONS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN KOREA

9-year-old from quake-hit Turkiye sends thanks to Korea

A 9-year-boy living in Turkiye (Turkey), which was hit by a catastrophic earthquake, sent a message of gratitude to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea through Instagram. 

A message of gratitude to Korea from a nine-year-old boy from Turkiye (Turkey), recently hit by a catastrophic earthquake, is resonating with the world. 

The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) uploaded the message from Huseyin Kagan on its social media channels on Feb. 17.

In his letter, which was not only written in Turkish but also translated into English and Korean, Huseyin introduced himself as a nine-year-old living in Denizli, a city in the western part of Turkiye. He said: "After the earthquake in Turkey, like many other countries, you (Korea) did not leave us alone," adding, "You saved many lives. You helped us." 

"I don't know how to say thank you," he said. "I will be a good person for the world. When I grow up, I will visit your country."

 

Along with his message of gratitude, Huseyin Kagan sent pictures of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), and images showing the solidarity between Korea and Turkiye drawn by Korean illustrator Myeong Min-ho, which recently went viral on social media. 

During an interview with Yonhap News, Huseyin said, "With help from my father who studies Hangeul out of his love for Korea, I am communicating with people from various countries that helped us, including Korea, via sending messages of gratitude." 

"Just as Turkiye helped Korea 73 years ago, the Korean rescue team helped Turkiye this time, and I am very grateful for it," he added.

"After the earthquake, 76 countries sent search-and rescue teams, and there were also donations from many people. I will keep expressing gratitude to Korea as well as other countries; and I learned that goodness spreads all over the world."

The UNMCK responded, "Turkiye was one of 22 countries that sent help to the Korean peninsula to protect peace and freedom. Ever since then, there has been a long friendship (or brotherhood) between the two countries," adding, "We have no doubt that you will grow up to be a wonderful person with a heart of gold, just like you are now." 
 

During the Korean War, Turkiye dispatched 21,212 soldiers to the conflict, 1,000 of whom died on the battlefield. The number of Korean War veterans from Turkiye is the fourth-highest, following that of the U.S., the United Kingdom and Canada.

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