Pres. Park writes letter of gratitude to Korean workers dispatched to Germany

Pres. Park writes letter of gratitude to Korean workers dispatched to Germany. December. 27, 2014 01:57. .

“You were at the forefront of industrialization that had led Korea, in abject poverty with per capita income of 80 dollars at that time, to the miracle of the Han River and development into an economic power. You are our parents, brothers and sisters. All the Korean people appreciate your efforts and dedication.

A letter of gratitude that President Park Geun-hye wrote to the workers dispatched to Germany in 1960s will be read at the ‘Year-end Party to Express Gratitude to Mine Workers, Nurses and Nurse Assistants Dispatched to Germany on the 51st Anniversary’ at 2 p.m. Friday. Marking the 51st anniversary of Dec. 21, 1963, when the first group of workers stepped on an airplane bound for Germany, the ceremony is to be held at Korea Press Center located in central Seoul, organized by the Association for Korean Workers Dispatched to Germany, Korea Thanks Committee and the Global Association of Industrial Workers Sent to Germany. The letter of President Park will be delivered by Jeong Jong-seop, minister of Government Administration and Home Affairs.

In the letter, President Park expressed her gratitude and said, “Korean miners, nurses and nurse aides went to work in Germany, a far-away foreign nation. It was all because of dedication to save their motherland in dire poverty. Their commitment became a flame of hope that laid foundation for modernization of Korea.” “Passion of those sent to work in Germany gave great impression to the government and people in Germany, and built a bridge that connects Korea and Germany still now. Republic of Korea and its people will forever remember you who made dedication for the motherland when she was in economic difficulties,” added the President.

The Korean workers dispatched to Germany couldn’t conceal gratefulness as they will receive another letter of gratitude from President Park in 46 years after having received a letter of encouragement in 1968 from then-President Park Chung-hee, father of President Park. Ha Dae-Kyung, chairman of Association for Korean Workers Dispatched to Germany, said, “At that time, we didn’t know that our weary lives would become a seed to develop Korea to this extent. I am very glad that our dedication and efforts are appreciated even belatedly. The letter came to us as a nice surprise, unexpected present.”

The letter was written at the request of the Korean workers sent to Germany at the 50th anniversary ceremony last year. The workers asked the president to give words of consolation to the Korean nurses and mine workers who were sent to work in Germany. The thank-you letter will be sent to some 5,000 Korean workers dispatched to Germany. Lee Hee-bum, secretary general of Korea Thanks Committee, said, “The letter appreciating hard works of those who sacrificed for Korea during hard times will be great consolation to those who worked in a faraway foreign country.”