By Honorary Reporter Ayana Maranda from the Philippines
Photos = Kenn Gutierrez

"It often comes into my mind how Korea has transformed from what it was during my grandfather's time and mine. When I relate to Koreans, I can't help but reflect that they could be the children or grandchildren of the Koreans my grandfather had an opportunity to help during those days. It makes me make a deeper emotional connection with Koreans."

- Kenn Gutierrez, grandson of Philippine veteran of Korean War

June 25 marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War's outbreak. In honor of those who served in the war and supported them from home, I spoke to Kenn Gutierrez, the grandson of Eleuterio Gutierrez, Sr., a Philippine veteran of the Korean War. The soldier, 18 at the time, left for Korea as part of the 2nd Battalion Command Troop of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK).

Kenn Gutierrez is a recipient of the Korean War Memorial Scholarship, which is sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veteran Affairs, the Korean War Memorial Scholarship Foundation and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Through this scholarship, he completed his training in the Korean language and undergraduate studies in five years. The program is designed to provide higher education in Korea to descendants of Korean War veterans from U.N. forces-affiliated countries to honor the veterans' sacrifices and strengthen Korea's relations with those nations.

He said the scholarship experience is how he knows more about Korean society and culture, which is so different now from his grandfather’s stories set 70 years ago.

Eleuterio Gutierrez, Sr., left for Korea as part of the 2nd Battalion Command Troop of PEFTOK.

Retelling grandfather's story

"My grandfather usually narrated stories of the war and on the poverty and desperate conditions Koreans had to face. Back then, the Philippines was a lot more affluent than Korea. Philippine troops usually had rations of food and supplies sent to them and would share their rations with Korean civilians and troops from other countries who were in tougher situations," he said.

2nd Battalion Command Troop of PEFTOK; (Eleuterio Gutierrez, Sr., on lower right corner)

Promoting Philippine-Korean relations

Through the scholarship program, Kenn Gutierrez has networked with other descendants of Korean War veterans, not only from Korea but also from other U.N. member countries who sent troops.

"Having studied and experienced Korea for several years, I find us that this tightly bounds us as brothers and sisters who share life-changing memories. I believe this is important as our network has a special role to play in memorializing the stories of the camaraderie of our grandfathers and Korea’s efforts to remember to reach out to its allies decades after," he said.

Pursuing a master's of international studies at Seoul National University, Kenn Gutierrez is also involved in relations between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"The memory of the Korean War has a deep connection to this because it teaches us the value of genuine friendship, nations helping each other when in need, and knowing how to look back and be thankful. I am happy to start as a scholarship recipient who simply aimed to improve Korea's relationship with the Philippines but ended up having the avenue to connect Korea to the whole Southeast Asia region," he said.

Descendants of Korean War veterans in 2012 join the Korean War Memorial Scholarship Program (Kenn Gutierrez is third from the left).

Message of hope

Kenn Gutierrez shared a message of hope with his generation and to mark the 70th anniversary of the war's outbreak.

"On the 70th anniversary of the Korean War's outbreak, I'd like to highlight the importance of the role of veterans' descendants. Seventy years after the war and with the number of veterans dwindling, it's time to create connections among the younger generation if the memory of the Korean War is to survive and continue teaching us values that bring nations together."

"Fortunately, Korea has grown so much as a country able to give back, and it can tell the story of the war as the humble beginning of its economic miracle. I hope Korea taps the energy and experiences of the descendants of Korean War veterans like me so that the war becomes a valuable tool for Korea to better relate to its genuine friends."

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.