Archival photos of the Ankara School established by Turkish soldiers during the Korean War in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. (Yonhap)
“I only hope that I can give back at least a little of what I received from the Turkish soldiers.”On Thursday afternoon, Oh Su-eop, the chairperson of the Ankara Brothers Association, spoke frankly to the Hankyoreh about why he decided to donate 10 million won (US$7,900) to earthquake relief in Türkiye. Oh, who was orphaned by the Korean War, was given a new home at the Ankara School thanks to Turkish soldiers.“Even though several decades have passed, I can still remember seeing the soldiers coming to give us food supplies every weekend as if it were yesterday,” shared Oh, now 78 years old.A catastrophic earthquake that hit the southern region of Türkiye and the northern border of Syria has resulted in over 20,000 dead. South Korea is continuing to offer helping hands to those in need. Among those lending a helping hand are aging Koreans who, like Oh, received help from Turkish soldiers during the Korean War. Though they say that no dollar amount could be put on the life Türkiye gave them, they want to repay the country all the same. Oh, whose hometown is in what is now North Korea, formed a relationship with Türkiye in 1951, when he was 6 years old. After having become separated from his family as it evacuated due to bombing, the young Oh was discovered by Turkish soldiers, who then brought him to the Ankara School.
