The solemn commemoration at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul drew dozens of attendees, including diplomats, military officials and members of the French and Canadian communities in South Korea.
The event included a poetry reading by high school students, a moment of silence and the laying of wreaths by diplomatic representatives.
French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Bertoux delivers a speech at a ceremony to mark the 106th anniversary of the First World War Armistice event at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul on Nov. 8, 2024. AJP Han Jun-gu
“The world is going through one of the most tense periods since the Second World War. Conflicts are raging in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The Korean Peninsula is no exception,” said French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Bertoux in his speech.
Drawing parallels to the prelude of World War II, Bertoux warned against the perils of appeasement.
“We Europeans know only too well the price of giving up. When the Nazi regime should have been opposed by force, our leaders at the time, listening only to the pusillanimous voice of public opinion, chose another path, that of renunciation and dishonor,” he said.
“Tens of millions of men and women paid with their lives. Let us not repeat those tragic mistakes. History reminds us of our shared responsibilities.”
Canadian Ambassador Tamara Mawhinney offered a personal perspective, sharing stories of family members who served in the war.
“For me personally, Remembrance Day has deep significance,” the ambassador said.
Her maternal grandfather fought at the 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge in France and was wounded three times during WWI. His cousin served as a nurse, working in a field hospital in northern France. Mawhinney’s husband’s grandfather was an army chaplain.
“It’s an intergenerational legacy that remains a profound part of our family’s history,” she added.
Canadian Defence Attaché Colonel Gino Chrétien emphasized the significance of such commemorative events in fostering international cooperation.
“I am honored and proud to hold this ceremony with our French colleagues. For Canadians who fought in Europe during both world wars, it is important to mark this occasion with our French partners,” Col. Chrétien, who recently arrived in Korea, said.
“I look forward to working closely with my Korean colleagues. Strengthening the partnership between countries will be my main goal in Korea,” he added.
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