Visiting Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez on Aug. 25 kneels in paying a silent tribute to those who died in the Korean War in front of Memorial Tower at Seoul National Cemetery.  

By Jeon Han, Lee Jae-eun, Kim Shinhyeong, and Yoon Sojung
Photos = Jeon Han
Video = Kim Sunjoo and Lee Jun Young
Seoul | Aug. 25, 2021

"We are brothers, and we are one."

This is what Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez on Aug. 25 wrote in the guestbook at Seoul National Cemetery after paying tribute to those who died in the Korean War.

President Duque visited the cemetery ahead of his bilateral summit with President Moon Jae-in later that day, along with Korean and Colombian veterans of the Korean War.

"Seventy years ago, Colombian soldiers came to this beautiful land to protect freedom, democracy and rule of law," he wrote. "In war, we were fellow soldiers, and today, we are brothers in a developed land."

"More than ever, we are one."

Alvaro Lozano Charry (left), president of the Colombian Association of Veterans of the Korean War, on Aug. 25 salutes Kim Ki-Jae (right), vice chairman of the Korean War Veterans Association and its director general Lee In-Bum at Seoul National Cemetery.

Korean and Colombian veterans of the Korean War held hands to greet each other like they did during the war as fellow soldiers.

Alvaro Lozano Charry, president of the Colombian Association of Veterans of the Korean War, said, "I loved Korea like my second homeland. I had big expectations for this visit, and my being here has actually exceeded those expectations."

“During the war, Korea was a country of turmoil and poverty. Now, it is a country of joy, hope and the future," he added. 

After sharing a warm greeting with Lozano, Lee In-Bum, director general of the Korean War Veterans Association, said, "I watched news at the time of how Colombian soldiers fought courageously at the Battle of Kumsung."

"Colombian troops fought courageously alongside Turkish troops. I still remember that. That's what I remember now and I'll always appreciate them."

Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez (fifth from left) and first lady Maria Juliana Ruiz (sixth from left) on Aug. 25 pose for photos with Korean War veterans from Korea and Colombia, and Korean Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Hwang Ki-Chul (right) at Seoul National Cemetery.