Kim Hye-kyung attended a photo exhibition with Emine Erdogan, the wife of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during their state visit to South Korea. The two women celebrated the special friendship between their countries, reaffirming their bond as 'blood brothers.'
On November 3, Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gyu-ryeong announced in a written briefing that Kim attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition titled 'The Birth of Friendship: Korea Through the Lens of a Turkish Photographer 70 Years Ago' at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul. The exhibition, organized jointly by the Turkish Presidential Communications Directorate and the War Memorial, features over 50 photographs taken by photographer Izzet Keribar, who served as an interpreter in the Turkish Brigade in Korea from 1956 to 1957.
In her opening remarks, Kim expressed her joy at continuing the valuable relationship, recalling the warm welcome she received in Ankara last year. She also thanked Keribar for preserving the memories of Koreans from 70 years ago through his photographs.
Kim referenced a photograph showing Turkish soldiers reaching out to a Korean boy, saying, 'While we may not know if their hands truly touched, the excitement and joy they felt for each other have transcended time to reach us today.'
She added, 'The Republic of Korea vividly remembers the noble sacrifices and shining dedication of Turkish veterans. When a major earthquake struck Turkey, the Korean people were deeply pained and willingly extended their hands, a gesture rooted in the gratitude of being 'blood brothers.'
In response, Emine Erdogan thanked Kim for her warm hospitality, stating, 'Korea and Turkey share a special history of friendship.' She honored the Korean War veterans, saying, 'The most precious legacy they left us is the brotherhood forged in blood.'
Emine Erdogan also noted, 'Art has the great power to connect different societies and people closely,' expressing hope that the exhibition would deepen cultural and artistic exchanges between the two nations.
After the opening ceremony, Kim and Emine Erdogan viewed photographs depicting life and streets in Korea during the 1950s, guided by Keribar. Emine Erdogan described one particularly moving photo, 'Prayer Before Meals at the Suwon Ankara School.'
She shared anecdotes about Turkish soldiers caring for Korean children as if they were their own. Kim resonated with the friendship captured in the photographs, noting that they were taken a decade before her birth.
The two women also admired images such as 'An Elder Waving from Afar on a Funeral Day,' 'Old Seoul Station and Surrounding Scenery,' 'A Ship Unloading Cargo in Incheon,' and 'Village Scenes Near the Brigade.' Keribar reminisced about his time serving in Korea while explaining the photographs.
Keribar remarked, 'Although a long time has passed since my service, two things remain unchanged: the strong brotherhood connecting Korea and Turkey, and the precious memories captured in these photographs.'
The Blue House stated that the two women reflected on the warmth of Turkish soldiers and the images of Korea from 70 years ago, emphasizing the special bond forged through the Korean War. They noted that this event would further deepen the ties and friendly cooperation between the peoples of both nations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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