Honorary Reporters

Jul 03, 2025

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By Honorary Reporter Ece Yildirim from Turkiye (Turkey)


A photo shoot featuring Turkish veterans of the Korean War was held on June 21 at the Sirkeci Veterans Association in Istanbul, Turkiye (Turkey), to mark the 75th anniversary of the conflict's outbreak.

Part of a larger project to document and honor such veterans worldwide, the event had four veterans as guests. While seeing the photo sessions with them, I saw scenes that were both deeply personal and historically meaningful.

The following are excerpts from an interview I held that day with photographer Shin Jung-hwan, whose mission is to preserve the memories of the veterans and their sacrifices through pictures.


Photographer Shin Jung-hwan taking a photo of a Korean War veteran with his wife. (Ece Yildirim)

Photographer Shin Jung-hwan takes a snap of a Korean War veteran with his wife. (Ece Yildirim)


How did you begin in photography?
I went to Paris in 2002 to study and have since worked in fashion and photography. But my photographic journey began in the early 2000s with the advent of digital cameras, and I pursued my passion once I bought my first digital camera during university.


You prefer black and white photos. What do you hope to capture by doing so?
I chose black and white to highlight the veterans' facial expressions, wrinkles and eyes to capture the depth of their lives and emotions in detail. Before portraying them as soldiers, I want to capture them as individuals who have lived long and full lives. 


According to Shin, black and white photos help emphasize facial expressions, wrinkles, and eyes. (Shin Jung-hwan)Shin Jung-hwan says black and white photos better capture the facial expressions, wrinkles and eyes of Korean War veterans. (Shin Jung-hwan)


Why did you start your veterans project and how does it feel to meet them?
My photography aims toward societal contribution, leading me to document Korean War veterans in France. Inspired by photographer Rami Hyun's work (Project Soldier), I felt a strong sense of urgency to preserve their stories before it was too late. This led me to organize two exhibitions in 2022 and 2023 at the Korean Cultural Center in France. Listening to the veterans' vivid memories of the war and the heartbreaking sentiment that they are forgotten soldiers broke my heart. And this fuels my determination to preserve their stories through my work.


What message do you hope to deliver to viewers through your photos?
This project transcends mere documentation; it's a profound inquiry into how we should honor the existence and sacrifices of the veterans still among us. It's a vital reminder that the peace we enjoy today is built by them.


Shin’s photography and project serve as a reminder of the sacrifices of those who risked their lives in the Korean War. (Ece Yildirim)

Shin Jung-hwan's project honors the sacrifices of veterans of the Korean War. (Ece Yildirim)


msjeon22@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.