Ambassador Hakan Okcal emphasizes fast-growing ties of cooperation
Korea and Turkey celebrate Hwangap (the 60th anniversary) of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. On this most auspicious occasion, Ambassador Hakan Okcal of Turkey in Seoul organized a press meeting at the Turkish Embassy in Seoul March 2, 2017 with major media representatives of Korea, including The Korea Post.
At the meeting, Ambassador Okcal said, “Turkey sent 21.212 troops to the Korean War to defend the freedom, democracy and independence of the Republic of Korea under the UN Command.” He also noted that bilateral trade volume between Korea and Turkeyhas increased to 6.1 billion dollars in 2016 from 1.3 dollars in 2000. Here are excerpts from his remarks at the meeting:
The Republic of Turkey recognized the Republic of Korea as an independent country on 11 August 1949.
On 8 March 1957 diplomatic relations were established between Turkey and Korea. 2017 is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Turkish Embassy in Seoul was opened on 30 September 1957.
Turkey sent 21.212 troops to the Korean War to defend the freedom, democracy and independence of the Republic of Korea under the UN Command.
The First Turkish Brigade landed in Busan on 18 October 1950 under the command of Brigadier General Tahsin Yazici.
Turkish Brigade fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the Korean War and suffered a total of 1005 casualties, many of them in their 20s.
Turkey is third among the UN Forces in terms of the total number of casualties suffered and the first in terms of casualties in relation to the total number of troops sent.
UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan (UNMCK) is the eternal resting place of 462 Turkish martyrs who fought in the Korean War.
Turkish soldiers established “Ankara School” in Suwon during the Korean War to provide shelter and food as well as education for Korean orphans who had lost their families under the tragic war circumstances.
When the “Ankara School” was operational in the period of 1952-1966, approximately 800 Korean students were educated there, which also served as an orphanage.
Today, the street where Ankara School once stood is called “Ankara-gill”. ”Ankara School Park” was opened in Yeoido, Seoul on 1 May 1997, which also includes a traditional Turkish house.
The Turkish and Korean National Teams played a legendary third place play-off match during the 2002 FIFA World Cup on 29 June 2002, where Turkish team won by 2-3.
Relations between Turkey and Korea Teams played a legendary third place play–off match during the 2002 FIFA World Cup on 29 June 2002, where Turkish team won by 2-3.
Relations between Turkey and Korea was elevated to “strategic partnership” during the visit of the 10th President of the Republic of Korea H.E. Lee Myung-bak to Turkey on 4-7 February 2012.
Turkey-Korea Free Trade Agreement was signed on 1 August 2012 and entered into force on 1 May 2013. It is the first FTA that Turkey has ever signed with an Asia-Pacific country.
Bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Korea increased to 6,1 billion Dollars in 2016 from 1.3 billion Dollars in 2000.
Korea’s investments in Turkey are approximately 1.6 billion Dollars. Around 300 Korean companies are active in Turkey.
Hyundai opened its plant in Turkey on 20 September 1997. It has an annual production capacity of 230.000 automobiles.
POSCO opened its plant in Turkey on 15 August 2013, which has an annual production capacity of 200.000 tons of steel.
Eurasia Tunnel, bridging the European and Asian sides of Istanbul with an underground tunnel crossing beneath the Bosporus Strait, was constructed by a Turkish-Korean Consortium and opened on 20 December 2016.
A Turkish-Korean Consortium recently won the bid to construct the “1915 Canakkale Bridge” which will be the world’s longest suspension bridge once completed in 2023, the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey.
Turkey and Korea are cooperating closely in the international arena in platforms like MIKTA, which brings together Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia as well as G20, UN and OECD among others.