The Last 46: 'The Final Salute' preserves Ethiopia's Korean War legacy
via The Reporter Ethiopia9 min read
A new initiative called "The Final Salute" aims to preserve the stories of the 46 remaining Ethiopian veterans of the Korean War, all now in their 90s. The project is a collaboration between LG Electronics, World Together Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian Korean War Veterans Association. It seeks to document the veterans' lives, fulfill personal wishes, provide welfare support, and preserve their experiences for future generations. South Korea's ambassador to Ethiopia, Jang Kang, and World Together Ethiopia's country representative, Kim Min Ho, expressed deep appreciation for Ethiopia's contribution to the war. Yang Seung Hwan, head of LG Electronics' Ethiopia branch, stated the company visited all 46 veterans to document their current lives. Colonel Estifanos Gebremeskel, president of the Ethiopian Korean War Veterans Association, welcomed the support. Lieutenant Colonel Workneh Sharew, 94, a veteran who served in the Kagnew Battalion, recalled his wartime experience as a mortar operator and acknowledged ongoing support from the Korean government. The initiative includes professional family portrait sessions, a documentary, fulfilling lifelong wishes for some veterans, and a public exhibition in Addis Ababa. Yoon Dae-Sik, Senior Vice President at LG Electronics, hopes the project will honor the veterans' sacrifices. Major Tefera Nigussie, 95, another veteran, expressed gratitude for South Korea's assistance but noted a lack of recognition from Ethiopia. Ethiopia dispatched its eli
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