By Kim Su-jin, Song Sang-ho
ADDIS ABABA/SEOUL, May 18, (Yonhap) -- An association of Ethiopia's Korean War veterans seeks to establish a special square, symbolizing the longstanding friendship between South Korea and the African nation, in the capital city of Addis Ababa, according to its chief.
Speaking to Yonhap News Agency, Melesse Tessema, president of the Ethiopian Korea War Veterans Association, said that his association has pushed for the construction of the 144-square-meter square, named "Kagnew Korea," in the Gullele region of the city.
Kagnew means establishing order from chaos. It is the name of Ethiopia's military contingent that was deployed to fight under the U.N. banner in support of South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War. Ethiopia sent some 6,000 troops to Korea during the first major armed conflict of the Cold War.
"People would get reminded of the history (related to Korea) and the special relationship between Korea and Ethiopia whenever they walk around or past the square -- should it be constructed," he said.
Melesse Tessema, president of the Ethiopian Korea War Veterans Association, shows an image of a square symbolizing the friendship between South Korea and the African state during an interview with Yonhap News Agency in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on May 12, 2016. (Yonhap)
When the construction will begin remains unclear, as the association has so far failed to collect the money required to build it. The association estimates the construction will cost some 10 million won (US$8,455).
The veterans' association has asked some Korean companies operating in Ethiopia to help construct the square. But none of them has offered a positive answer yet, according to the association.
The Gullele regional government has offered the swath of land for the envisioned square for free, as it thought the square would help spruce up the region. But it has notified the association that it will withdraw its offer of the land if the construction work is delayed until after this month.
This photo taken on May 12, 2016, shows a swath of land in the Gullele region of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the Ethiopian Korea War Veterans Association seeks to construct a square symbolizing the friendship between South Korea and the African state. (Yonhap)
The idea of forging the square in Gullele was first conceived by Yared Tesfa, a filmmaker who has been closely working with the association in conducting various events related to Korean War veterans.
"This year marks the 65th anniversary of Ethiopia's participation in the war. Thus I came up with the idea of (creating) something memorable," Tesfa said.
"The construction of the square in this Gullele region, where the Kagnew unit was trained, would bear a historical meaning. The regional government has also shared this view."
Yared Tesfa, an Ethiopian filmmaker, poses with his colleague at his office in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on May 12, 2016. (Yonhap)
The association also hopes to launch an annual marathon event under the theme of peace after establishing the square. It plans to invite some 5,000 people to the event, including young Ethiopians and officials from the embassies of the countries that participated in the Korean War.
(END)
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