SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - The Embassy of Türkiye in the Republic of Korea hosted a reception on Wednesday to mark the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic, celebrating the long-standing friendship between Türkiye and South Korea — a relationship born of shared sacrifice during the Korean War.
The event, held at the Ambassador Pullman Hotel in Seoul, brought together around 300 guests, including diplomats, government officials, scholars, media representatives, and business leaders. Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer and Mrs. Tamer welcomed attendees to the Turkish National Day reception, which reflected both pride in the past and confidence in the future.
"It is a great honor and joy to celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye together with you tonight," Ambassador Tamer said in his opening remarks. "On this meaningful occasion, we proudly remember the enduring legacy of the Republic of Türkiye and the deep friendship we share with the people of the Republic of Korea."
He paid tribute to the visionary leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and highlighted Türkiye's continued progress under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. "Today, in line with the visionary goals set by the Great Atatürk and under the esteemed leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we are advancing with steadfast determination into the Century of Türkiye," he said.
Ambassador Tamer also underlined the growing economic partnership between the two nations. "The trade volume between our countries has surpassed 11 billion US dollars, and we believe this is only the beginning," he said. "More mutual investments and new projects in renewable and peaceful nuclear energy will carry our cooperation to new heights."
Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Yoon-jin delivered a congratulatory address, emphasizing the historic bond between the two countries. "Korea and Türkiye are brothers that share blood," she said. "Seventy-five years ago, when South Korea was in crisis during the Korean War, Türkiye sent over 21,000 brave soldiers — the fourth largest among the 22 participating nations. The Korean people will never forget their noble sacrifice."
Kang recalled her visit to Atatürk's mausoleum in Ankara and shared her memory of meeting Ayla, the Korean War orphan whose story inspired the 2017 Turkish film Ayla: The Daughter of War. "Even though she has left us, the love between Sergeant Süleyman and Ayla still lives in the hearts of Koreans," she said.
The story of Sergeant Süleyman Dilbirliği and the orphaned Korean girl later known as Ayla remains one of the most moving symbols of the Türkiye–South Korea friendship. During the Korean War, Dilbirliği found the five-year-old child alone and freezing on the battlefield near Waegwan in 1950. He took her to his unit, cared for her like a daughter, and named her Ayla, meaning "moonlight" in Turkish. Though they were separated when he returned home after the war, the two reunited more than six decades later in 2010, a moment that touched hearts in both countries and was later immortalized in the film Ayla: The Daughter of War.
"We sincerely support the bright future of our brother nation Türkiye," Kang added. "South Korea will continue to work closely with Türkiye in the fields of economy, culture, and defense, and together we will uphold the values of freedom, peace, and human rights."
The reception concluded with a performance by K-pop duo HoonDoo and a dinner attended by guests from across the diplomatic and business communities.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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