[The Editors' Verdict] Korea United as One for Turkey

Ruling and Opposition Parties Join Hands to Support Turkey
Empathy Beyond Political Factions for the Pain of a Brother Nation

"It is only natural to help our brother nation, Turkey."

Why did President Yoon Suk-yeol call Turkey a 'brother country'? At 16-1 San, Dongbaek-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province, you can find the reason by visiting the Turkish War Memorial.

"The Turkish infantry brigade fought against the invaders for Korea's freedom and world peace. Here lie their 3,064 fallen soldiers; the precious price of their blood shall not be in vain."

Turkey shed blood on this land for us. Among the United Nations countries that participated in the Korean War, Turkey suffered the third highest number of casualties after the United States and the United Kingdom. They contributed not only militarily but also established the Ankara Orphanage and school in Suwon for orphans who lost their parents in the war.

Turkey risked their lives to save ours. Now, they are suffering from the catastrophic earthquake. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck in the early morning of the 6th. Countless lives were lost while asleep. Many are still buried under building debris, awaiting rescue. Rescue efforts continue from countries around the world. Even Armenia, historically a hostile neighbor, has joined in helping Turkey.

On the afternoon of February 13, a large banner was hung on the exterior wall of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City, requesting the public to unite in support of T?rkiye (Turkey), a participant in the Korean War, which suffered massive damage due to a major earthquake. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Korea has not turned a blind eye to Turkey's pain. On the 7th, the government dispatched an emergency relief team of 118 members, the largest single deployment ever. This swift response came just one day after the earthquake. On the 16th, the government decided to send tents and blankets via a second relief team flight. This is based on the recognition that if Turkey held out their hand to us 70 years ago, now it is our turn to hold out ours.

Many resonate with the government's response. In particular, a drawing posted on social media by comic illustrator Myung Min-ho struck a deep chord. It depicts a Turkish soldier giving chocolate to a child in a village ruined during the Korean War, and a Korean rescue team handing water to a child in a village devastated by the earthquake.

Turkish media reported that "people are moved to tears and express gratitude over this drawing." A single drawing has transcended national, ethnic, and religious barriers to awaken universal human values. The shared belief that we must help each other to save human lives is spreading throughout our society. The positive butterfly effect brought by the Turkey issue does not end here.

South Korean society, once divided by political factions and ideologies, is achieving national unity. The ruling and opposition parties, who used to growl at each other in the National Assembly, are now joining hands to help Turkey. Local governments, religious groups, sports, culture, and arts figures are appealing to humanity, and countless citizens are participating.

The reason this deserves attention is that it contains the answer to resolving the tangled divisions in Korean society. Can we find answers by identifying differences, drawing lines, and taking sides? How about finding even a small point of empathy to open the door to dialogue?

If such efforts become the basic framework for social discourse, wouldn't a healthy public forum lead our society onto the path of advancement?