Connecting Generations, Sharing Life: Honoring Ethiopian Heroes through the Gift of Peace

June is a month of remembrance in South Korea—a time to look back at the heavy costs of war and honor those who protected our freedom.

On June 20, 2026, a profoundly beautiful gathering took place in the quiet town of Damyang. Titled the "Global War Cessation, Life-Sharing Peace Academy," the event brought together over 600 global citizens, political and diplomatic figures, and youth. Co-hosted by the HWPL Global 02 Branch and the Gwangju-Jeonnam Peace Practice Committee under the theme "Connecting Cultures, Connecting Generations," this wasn't just a ceremony of historical facts. It was a living tribute to the "DNA of sacrifice" and a celebration of human connection.

A Legacy Left by the Kagnew Battalion

When the Korean War broke out, Ethiopia was the only African nation to dispatch ground troops as part of the UN forces. The famous Kagnew Battalion fought not for political interest or strategic gain, but out of a pure belief in collective security and freedom.

To honor this bond—which officially led to a beautiful diplomatic friendship between Korea and Ethiopia since 1963—the forum welcomed a very special guest: Dessie Dalkie Dukamo, the Ethiopian Ambassador to South Korea.

The highlight of the opening ceremony belonged to the future. A young children's representative stood before the crowd and read a heartfelt "Peace Letter." Listening to the younger generation articulate their dreams for a world without war deeply moved everyone in attendance, bridging the decades between those who protected peace and those who will inherit it.

The Power of 122: Turning Remembrance into Action

How do we truly show gratitude to heroes who bled for a country they didn't know?

The attendees found a deeply symbolic answer: by sharing life. During the Korean War, exactly 122 Ethiopian soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice—either losing their lives or suffering injuries on the battlefield. To remember each and every one of them, 122 South Korean civil leaders, religious figures, and local citizens voluntarily donated their blood.

During the event, these 122 physical blood donation certificates were formally handed over to Ambassador Dessie Dalkie Dukamo.

"We wanted to express our gratitude for the veterans' noble sacrifices through an act that directly saves lives," shared one of the participants. This simple yet profound gesture showed that gratitude isn't a passive emotion; it is a vital, active choice.

The "Dong-haeng" Journey Continues

As the afternoon closed with cultural performances and a moving documentary tracking the blood donation journey, the room felt less like a formal assembly and more like a united family.

Yoo Jae-hyuk, the HWPL Global 02 Branch General Director, reflected on the day: "The spirit of honoring those who served is the very foundation of the peace we enjoy today. It is an honor to stand here with our youth, ensuring that the values of life and peace are carried forward."

This beautiful event is part of HWPL’s nationwide "Dong-haeng (Accompanying) Project," which works across four main pillars: connecting generations, cultures, futures, and nations. By building social solidarity networks among educators, youth, and religious communities, the project proves that when we choose to look at our shared humanity, the gaps that divide us melt away.

True peace begins when we choose to remember, thank, and walk together.

Source: https://vo.la/MbJPXHL