On Thursday 22 June 2023, the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, participated in the celebration of the 73rd Anniversary from the beginning of the Korean War, organised by the Embassy of the Korean Republic in Athens.
In the Tomb of the Greek Fallen Men, at Aghios Georgios Square, Papagos-Holargos Municipality, a memorial service took place. After that, wreaths were laid by the Minister of National Defence, the Ambassador of the Korean Republic Mr. Jung II Lee, the Ambassador of the Philippines Mr. Giovanni Palec, the Chargé d’ Affaires of the Canadian Embassy Mr. Walter Bermyck, the British Defence Attaché Captain Alex Bush, the President of the Pan-Hellenic Veterans Association of Korea (ret.) Stylianos Drakos, the President of the Air Force Veterans Association Lieutenant General (ret.) Konstantinos Tzavellas and the Mayor of Papagos-Holargos Mr. Ilias Apostolopoulos.
In a statement, the Minister of National Defence outlines the following:
“Today’s anniversary not only reminds us of the beginning of the Korean War 73 years ago, but also the beginning of the diplomatic relations of Greece and Korea, when our country responded to the invitation of the United Nations and raised its Flag, among 22 allies who participated with military assets, in one of the hardest armed encounters of the 20th century.
Greece’s contribution in the Korean War constitutes a special chapter in its war history, since it may not be connected with the defence of its territorial integrity and independence, but it is characterised by the same war bravery and self-denial that the Greek warrior possesses through time, in all the periods of his long lasting history”.
