Political Columnist
Mortz Ortigoza interviewed South Korea Ambassador Kim Jae Shin on the military
aid to the Philippines by the Korean government to fight her enemies, just like what the United States
and Japan have been doing.
Ortigoza, a
son of a Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) veteran, inquired in the recent 18th Korean War Veterans Memorial Day at Fort
Bonifacio to His Excellency if South Korea would still be as prosperous as
today or be as impoverished as North Korea if the Philippines and the 15
nations did not come to her succor in the early 1950s after she was invaded by the
Communist North Korea and patron China. Excerpts:
Mortz C. Ortigoza: Filipino Korean veterans are decreasing in number. What can you say
about their contributions in that war in the early 1950s that Communist North
Korea and the Chinese nearly conquered your country?
Political Columnist Mortz Ortigoza interviews South Korea Ambassador Kim Jae Shin |
Ambassador Kim Jae Shin: Yes we thank the contributions. In the second part as I said earlier
the Korean country was happy as put in history the contribution not only (of)
the Philippines but the other 15 countries (or a) total (of) 16 countries who
sent troops to defend us for democracy. So we always appreciate.
Without the 16 countries from the United Nations (UN), do you think South Korea now is under the clutches of Communist North Korea?
No, no.
I cannot say that. I think, I mean impossible…
Without
the 16 countries, do you think your government could flush-out alone the two
invaders?
If if in
the history is very good to explain to say I cannot say the Korea might colonize
by China or North Korea. I cannot say that. But I said for sure North Korea was
not able to capture our country.
Japan and the U.S gave us military hardwares to fight our enemies. Do
you give military aid just like the two countries did to us?
Yes we
did, yes we did! We are going to provide vessels and ships and also….
Are those military vessels for free, a grant?
Yes,
yes. I think they (Philippines) paid only $100. (He chuckled on the Pohang-class
anti-submarine warship).
Japan
has been giving or leasing us hardwares just like those 10 big
Coast Guard's ships and those five of her Beechcraft King’s TC-90 surveillance planes.
Yes,
yes last year and other Korean defense industries we have cooperation… Of
course it is not only a grant but a loan.
I heard Hyundai Heavy Industries
is also building two semi-stealth frigates for us?
Yes,
yes two ships. Frigates, frigates. We have ties to extend our cooperation
(inaudible). We continue to give our contribution to the Filipino veterans and
their descendants.
My
last question, you mentioned at the stage during the 43rd PVAI Annual
Convention that as debt of gratitude to the Filipino veterans that you are
giving educational scholarship to even their great grand children.
I
have a daughter she is in Grade 5 now can she avail of the educational
scholarship? My father is a Korean War Veteran.
Yes,
yes your daughter might be a recipient of our scholarship.
Note: Video of this interview to be posted soon in this article.
Note: Video of this interview to be posted soon in this article.
(You can
read Ortigoza's selected columns at http://mortzortigoza.blogspot.com and articles at
Pangasinan News Aro. You can send comments too at totomortz@yahoo.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment