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A miniature model of the Geobukseon, the ironclad turtle-shaped warship that fended off Japanese invaders during the late 16th century, will be permanently exhibited in Colombia.
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said on Sunday that an unveiling ceremony for the model and monument commemorating Colombia¡¯s participation in the Korean War was held in a port city of Cartagena on Saturday. Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Kim Yang, Ambassador to Columbia Hong Seong-hoa and Colombia¡¯s Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos were present.
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs invested some W 100 million (US$1=W1,295) to make the miniature bronze Geobukseon, which stands 2.5 meters high and 4 meters long; about a tenth scale of the original ship. The Colombian Navy provided a permanent site for the monument and exhibition of the turtle ship.
With a government budget, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has been donating monuments commemorating the Korean War to countries that dispatched troops to Korea. Nov. 1, 1950 is the day when Colombia sent troops in the ship ¡°Padilla¡± from the port of Cartagena. Colombia is the only South American country that participated in the Korean War. It sent both army and navy, totaling 5,100 troops. Of these, 214 died in battle, and 448 were injured.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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