Yoon Suk Yeol hosts luncheon to honor Turkey relief workers

Diplomacy

Published: 07 Mar. 2023, 15:52 Updated: 07 Mar. 2023, 17:54

Yoon Suk Yeol hosts luncheon to honor Turkey relief workers

President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, salutes the flag at a luncheon hosted at the Blue House's Yeongbingwan state guest house in central Seoul to express gratitude to all the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) personnel who helped search and recovery efforts in quake-stricken Turkey last month. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk Yeol hosted a luncheon Tuesday to express gratitude to all the members of Korea's relief team who helped search and recovery efforts in Turkey last month.

"The spirit of solidarity shown by relief workers on site in Turkey reminded us again that Korea and Turkey are true friends," Yoon said to the rescue workers and officials at the event hosted at the Blue House's Yeongbingwan state guest house in central Seoul.

"I was very worried about the difficult situation on site and at the news of injuries, but it is fortunate that all the relief workers have returned with bright appearances, and I am very grateful for this."

Korea sent two rotations of Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) personnel on Air Force transport aircraft to Turkey last month, and a total of 142 personnel and four rescue dogs helped search and rescue efforts in the quake-stricken country.

Some 135 KDRT personnel attended the luncheon, along with the foreign, defense and health ministers and representatives of other government agencies and private organizations who have supported relief efforts and donations to Turkey.

"We will continue to provide support for the restoration and reconstruction of Turkey," said Yoon.

Yoon stressed that the Korean people are continuing to extend their hands to help efforts to rebuild Turkey. He promised the government will support the swift delivery of 250 containers to temporary house victims of the disaster in Turkey, donated by the Korea Shipowners' Association.

"I hope that support projects conducted by the Korean government and the private sector will become a symbol of friendship that shows that our two countries are truly brotherly nations and help the people of Turkey resume their daily lives as soon as possible," said Yoon.

The participants also took a moment of silence to pay respects to the victims of the earthquake.

President Yoon Suk Yeol greets rescue dogs who took part in Korea’s relief efforts in Turkey last month at the Blue House in central Seoul Tuesday. Yoon hosted the members of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) at the Blue House state guest house for a luncheon that day. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

On Feb. 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing more than 47,000 people.

An advance group of three Korean officials was dispatched immediately to check the situation.

On Feb. 7, the first 118-member KDRT group, mostly firefighters and military personnel, departed for Turkey, the largest number of relief workers dispatched overseas by Korea in a single day. The first team was comprised of personnel from the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, National Fire Agency and the Korea International Cooperation Agency.

Korea also pledged an initial $5 million in humanitarian assistance to Turkey and sent medicine and other emergency supplies on a military transport plane.

The first team focused on search and rescue operations in Antakya, the capital of Hatay Province in southeastern Turkey, and rescued eight survivors and helped to recover bodies.

On Feb. 16, the 21-member second KDRT group, comprised of mostly medical workers, headed to Turkey, took over from the first team and focused on recovery efforts and supporting survivors.

Korea also delivered 1 billion won ($778,000) of supplies, including tents, blankets and sleeping bags, donated by the government and the private sector.

Yoon and first lady Kim Keon-hee also met with the four rescue dogs — Tina, Haetae, Tobaek, and Tori — who took part in the KDRT's relief operations in Turkey at the Blue House on Tuesday.

Haetae suffered a leg injury during the search operations, and the presidential couple also offered words of encouragements to their handlers after checking how the dogs were doing.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]