Ankara: President Lee Jae Myung pledged to expand support for Turkish veterans who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War during a meeting with Korean residents in Turkey on Tuesday. Lee emphasized the role of the Korean community as a "bridge" between the two nations, noting that they are "even more important than ambassadors" in representing South Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee remarked on the special relationship shared by Turkey and the Republic of Korea, highlighting the enduring historical ties forged during the Korean War. He assured that both nations would continue to cooperate closely. During the meeting, a resident proposed the creation of a memorial space in Istanbul to honor Turkish veterans of the Korean War, requesting Seoul's diplomatic support for the initiative.

In response, Lee instructed the Korean Embassy in Turkey to carefully review the proposal and to consult with both governments on possible support measures. He also mentioned that he had already directed the minister of patriots and veterans affairs to expand assistance for families of those killed in action.

Earlier in the day, Lee paid his respects at the Korean War Memorial in Ankara and met surviving Turkish veterans who served as part of the United Nations troops. During Lee's state visit, South Korea and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding to support Turkish Korean War veterans and to promote exchanges between veterans' associations and descendants of veterans from both countries.