Only 50 Filipino Korean War Vets Still Alive After 75 Years

Описание: Translated and dubbed using AI.
#southkorea #newstoday #philippines

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【 Anchor's Commentary 】
Today marks exactly 75 years since the outbreak of the Korean War. At that time, 16 countries sent combat troops to assist Korea. Among them, the Philippines fought for a country called Korea, which was unknown to them, shortly after escaping the harsh colonial rule of Japan. MBN met these veterans in the Philippines, and reporter Kim Jong-min reports.

【 Reporter 】
Rudolfo Esposo, who is now 99 years old.

Although he struggles to breathe due to his old age, he makes an effort to greet the press upon hearing the news that they have come to Korea.

(Voice from the scene) Thank you very much.

He participated in both World War II and the Korean War, experiencing two years of harsh captivity and has engraved those memories in his body.

▶ Interview: Beng Esposo / Daughter of a Korean War Veteran
"I remember my father always spoke of the good memories he had in Korea, even though he was captured for two years."

The Filipino soldiers who arrived at Busan Port on September 19, 1950, are recorded as the third country to participate, following the United States and the United Kingdom.

▶ Standing Report: Kim Jong-min / Reporter (Manila, Philippines)
"During the Korean War, the Philippines dispatched the largest number of soldiers in Asia, with over 7,400 troops. This monument bears the names of 112 soldiers who fell at that time."

To commemorate their comrades who relied on each other during the war, the veterans visited the memorial.

Despite 75 years passing, the memories of the Battle of Yuldong, the largest battle fought by the Filipino troops, remain vivid.

▶ Interview: Florendo Benedito / Korean War Veteran
"There were 7,000 troops from the Chinese army attacking, and we had only 400 men. The UN forces had already withdrawn, and we fought to hold the front lines."

▶ Interview: Rodrigo Erenio / Korean War Veteran
"I feel really good and thankful to see Korea, which we protected, prospering."

Filipino veterans emphasized that they willingly shed their blood for a country they had never known and people they had never met and asked to remember this fact.

▶ Interview: Jovena Damasen / President of the Philippine Korean War Veterans Association
"What we can do is to remember them not just in words, but with the saying, 'Freedom is not free,' that they sacrificed their blood to ensure freedom."

Among the 7,400 Filipino Korean War veterans, only 50 remain alive today.

This is Kim Jong-min from MBN News in Manila, Philippines.

Video coverage: Lee Sung-min
Video editing: Lee Woo-joo
Graphics: Yoo Young-mo, Choi Ji-hoon