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Korean Traditional Music Orchestra of the Blind (KTMOB) Presents Concert Commemorating Ethiopian Veterans of Korean War

The Special Needs Support Centre of Addis Ababa University (AAU) hosted a performance event by a blind South Korean cultural orchestra , comomorating  Ethiopian troops that fought in the Korean War about 75 years ago.

The performance was presented under the theme “The 600-Year History of the Korean People Resounds in Ethiopia, an African Country that Participated in the Korean War”, resonating with the song of King Sejong.

The Director of the Orchestra, Mr. Dong-ic Choi, in an exclusive interview said the Korean traditional musical performance event was held at AAU in memory of the 6,037 Ethiopian troops, 121 of whom were killed and 536 wounded.

Mr. Choi added that Ethiopia was the only African country that participated in the War to help maintain Korean peace and stability by deploying its thousands of soldiers when the very survival of Korea was at stake due to the War broke out in 1950.

The director further said , besides the commemorative performance  , the orchestra group came to cooperate with and support Ethiopian disabled citizens through advocacy and traditional music.

He added that AAU, as the best university in the country, can help the Orchestra to establish connection with Ethiopian disabled persons.

Mr. Choi further stated that the group tried to show what disabled people can do and contribute for their country independently like others, promoting disabled people.

 Yirgashewa Bekele (PhD), director of the Special Needs Support Centre of AAU, for her part, said the purpose of the event was to create awareness regarding disabled persons and their abilities.

 She added that the performance, besides commemorating the Ethiopian role in the Korean War, aimed to promote intercultural understanding between the two peoples.

According to Dr. Yirgashewa, the Korean traditional music performance presented by the KTMOB shows what disabled people can do for others without being hindered by their disabilities.

Editor-in-Chief: Dr Amanuel.Gebrun

Managing Editor: Abraham Girmay

Photographer: Filmon Hailekiros