SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Turkish Ambassador to South Korea Salih Murat Tamer underscored the enduring friendship between the two countries at a special screening of the film "Ayla: The Daughter of War" on September 17. "Watching the film Ayla together here in Seoul is not just an opportunity to enjoy a movie. It is a special occasion to reaffirm the brotherly bond forged during the Korean War," he said in his welcome remarks. He added, "The people of Türkiye will forever remember Ayla, who lives on in our hearts as one of the most beautiful symbols of Turkish–Korean friendship."
The screening was part of the 7th Diplomacy Week, themed "Connecting the World Together," organized by the Korea Foundation under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The weeklong event is designed to showcase public diplomacy in practice, highlighting food, arts, culture, and international exchange to strengthen goodwill toward South Korea.
"Ayla: The Daughter of War," directed by Can Ulkay, is a 2017 Turkish production based on a true story from the Korean War. It tells the story of a Turkish sergeant who found a young Korean girl on the battlefield in 1950. Naming her Ayla, he cared for her during the war, forming a bond that endured even after the two were separated. Decades later, the soldier and Ayla reunited in an emotional meeting that became widely known as a symbol of Turkish–Korean friendship.
Türkiye is recognized by South Koreans as a "brother country" and its people as "blood brothers." Such recognition grew during the Korean War, when Türkiye deployed 21,212 soldiers to the Korean Peninsula. More than 900 Turkish troops lost their lives, and 462 are buried at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in the southern port city of Busan. The two nations established official diplomatic ties in 1957, and the wartime sacrifice left a deep imprint on South Korean public memory.
Ambassador Tamer reflected on this shared history and the values it represents. "Through this film, we are reminded that friendship, solidarity, and compassion are universal values that transcend borders," he said. "These ties do not belong only to the past, but continue to shape the cooperation and goodwill between our countries today."
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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