Republic of Korea National Assembly Friendship Group visits Tipperary

Written by John Wort

Friday, June 16, was a very special day for St Mary's International Garden of Remembrance and for the Town of Thurles.

Visiting St Mary's for the second time was a delegation from the Republic of Korea National Assembly Friendship Group.

The leader of the Friendship group, Mr Sung IL Jong, a member of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Irish Republic of Korea Friendship Group, accompanied by Mr Hong Yong Pyo, Democratic Party, the Honorable Han Han Jeong Ae, Democratic Party, The Honorable, Jo Oseop Democratic Party, support staff Ms Na Young Kim.

The Republic of Korea Embassy Dublin Staff was led by His Excellency Mr Yong Kil KIM Republic of Korea New Ambassador to Ireland, Mr Chanwoo Kim, Counsellor and Deputy Head of The Dublin Mission, researcher Mr Christioa Murphy.

It was a great pleasure for me as Chairman and founder of the Durlas Eile Eliogarty Memorial to welcome the delegation and the new Ambassador to St Mary's.

The delegation was on a very tight schedule having a meeting the day before with Government Ministers in Leinster House, and before visiting Thurles, they were special guests in the National Stud in Kildare.

Mr Guy Jones, our Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Irish Lebanese Cultural Foundation, addressed the visiting delegation and guests. Mr Jones said it was a great honour for him and the Durlas Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee and for the town of Thurles to welcome the delegation.

The friendship built up over the last Eleven years, going back to 2013 when the Republic of Korea Memorial was unveiled in St Mary's to the 110 Irish who died in the Korean War, 1950 / 1953 by the then Republic of Korea Ambassador to Ireland H.E Mr Hae Yun Park. St Mary's and The Korean Memorial has always always been a Priority for visiting delegations from the Republic of Korea on official visits to Ireland.

The head of the delegation, Mr Sung IL Jong, then addressed the gathering. He said he was very honoured to come and visit St Mary's International Garden of Remembrance to pay his respects to the 110 Irish who died in the Korean War and to the many other Irish who fought so that his country could have Democracy and Freedom.

Our country owes a great debt of gratitude to all who fought and to all who died so that our country could be free. Mr Jong said he was hopeful that in the future, his country and Ireland would work together to build stronger ties between our two countries.

Mr Jong, accompanied by Chairman John Wort, laid a wreath at the Republic of Korea Memorial To the 110 Irish who Died in the Korean War 1950 / 1953. Irish Soldiers killed one of them, Thurles Man Rifleman Cornelius Connie Gouldsborough. Thurlesman Kinger Maher was a prisoner of War. Irish Missionaries were also among those killed. The ceremony concluded with one minute of silence, the playing of the Last Post, Reville, The Republic of Korea, and the Irish Anthems.

Talking to members of the delegation after the ceremony, they said that they were very honoured to be in St Mary's. They said what we have here in St Mary's is a very special garden of Peace and Remembrance, remembering all who died in the Service of Peace at home and overseas.

The Head of the Delegation, Mr Sung IL Jong, said they would cherish the memory of their visit to St Mary's International Garden of Remembrance and the Kindness and hospitality shown to his delegation we will also cherish. Thank you, Mr Chairman, and your Committee and your invited guests for your hospitality and your kindness. John Wort Chairman Durlas Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee.

PHOTO CAPTION: Photo L TO R Mr Chris Delahunty Presiden Thurles Lions Club, Mr Paddy HoulahanI I.U.N.V.A Kilkenny, Mr William Ryan Garda Retired Templemore, Mr Guy Jones Vice Chairman and Chairman Iris Lebanese Culture Foundation, Mr Eugene Scally Committee, Mr P.J Ryan K.M Treasure, D.E.E.M.C, Mrs Bridget Wort Committee, H.E Mr Tong Kil Kim Republic of Korea Ambassador to Ireland, The Honorable Han Jeong Ae, Democratic Party, Mr Sung IL JONG National Assembly Member Head of Delegation, People Power Party.Mr John Wort, Chairman Durlas Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee, Mrs Bridín O Gorman Committee, Mr Hong Yong Pyo Democratic Party, The Honorable JoOseop, National AssemblyRepublic of Korea, Mr Domnic Moore, President Durlas Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee, Councillor Jim Ryan Secretary Durlas Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee, Inspector James White On Garda Siochana Thurles, Mr Pat Walsh I.U.N.V.A and Committee, Professor Dr Michael Casey Fellow of the Irish State