MANILA, Philippines — President Yoon Suk Yeol paid tribute to 112 fallen Philippine soldiers who fought and lost their lives during the Korean War as the first official engagement of his state visit to the Southeast Asian country, which began on Sunday afternoon.
The Philippines is the first stop on the Korean president’s six-day itinerary, which also includes visits to Singapore and Laos before concluding on Friday. This marks the first state visit by a Korean president to the Philippines in 13 years and coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Upon Yoon’s arrival in Manila at around 2:30 p.m., he proceeded to the Cemetery of the Heroes, also known as the Heroes Cemetery, in Taguig, southern Manila.
There, he visited the Korean Memorial Pylon, a monument dedicated to 112 Filipino soldiers who lost their lives during the Korean War. Former 스포츠 President Lee Myung-bak also paid his respects at the memorial during his state visit in 2011.
The Philippines dispatched a total of 7,420 soldiers to the Korean War that took place nearly seven decades ago. These soldiers are referred to as the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea.
The names of the 112 fallen soldiers are inscribed on the memorial, alongside inscriptions by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and former Korean President Park Chung-hee, honoring their sacrifice.
Yoon encouraged war veterans and the descendants of fallen soldiers, shaking their hands and saying, “Please stay healthy. Thank you.”
One war veteran shared with Yoon that he had fought in every major battle involving the Philippine military and expressed pride in his service.
