HD Construction Equipment builds ‘Wall of Remembrance’ in Ethiopia for Korean War dead

[Financial News] HD Construction Equipment, together with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, has built a memorial in Ethiopia honoring those who fell in the Korean War. It is also moving forward with technical training in construction equipment for local youth as part of its efforts to support industrial development.
HD Construction Equipment said it held an unveiling ceremony on the 11th for the ‘Ethiopia Wall of Remembrance,’ honoring 122 soldiers who fell in the Korean War, at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. Attendees included Jae-young Moon, president of HD Construction Equipment; Lee Seung-jin, international veterans cooperation officer at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs; Gu Hong-seok, South Korea’s ambassador to Ethiopia; officials from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Defense and Orthodox Church; veterans; and bereaved family members.
The memorial was built under a memorandum of understanding signed last May by HD Construction Equipment and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to build memorial facilities for UN veterans. The two sides agreed at the time to build facilities in countries that fought in the Korean War under the UN banner to honor veterans’ sacrifices and dedication, selecting Ethiopia as the first country.
The project to build the Wall of Remembrance was launched following the reburial of the remains of Ethiopian soldiers who fell in the war. Their remains, previously interred in the basement of Holy Trinity Cathedral, were moved in April to an above-ground cemetery on the cathedral grounds. Plans were then made for a separate memorial, and HD Construction Equipment covered the entire construction cost, with the facility completed in about five months.
Individual plaques bearing the names of 122 fallen soldiers were affixed to the Wall of Remembrance. Messages of gratitude and remembrance were included in Korean, English and Amharic, Ethiopia’s official language. A bronze plaque depicting members of the Kagnew Battalion marching alongside a lion, a symbol of Ethiopia, was also installed.
HD Construction Equipment also plans to expand its support for strengthening the technical skills of local youth. It is working with local Ethiopian organizations to establish a construction equipment training center and plans to offer local young people, including descendants of veterans, opportunities to train in operating and maintaining construction equipment. The company aims to train skilled workers needed for Ethiopia’s infrastructure development and industrial growth and to help create jobs for young people.
Jae-young Moon, president of HD Construction Equipment, said, “I hope the Wall of Remembrance will be a place that honors the noble sacrifices of Ethiopian veterans who served the Republic of Korea and passes on their spirit to future generations.” He added, “Going forward, we will contribute to the development of Ethiopia’s industry and economy through continued cooperation, including training young skilled workers.”
Ethiopia was the only African country to send ground troops during the Korean War. About 3,500 members of the Kagnew Battalion, which was made up of imperial guards, fought in the war and earned a record of “253 battles, 253 victories”; 122 were killed in action.

[email protected] Jung Won-il Reporter