The Deputy Minister of National Defense, Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, representing the Ministry of National Defense, attended today, Friday, June 24, 2022, the event of the 72nd anniversary of the beginning of the War in Korea, which was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Greece, at the Hero of the Greeks Fallen in the Korean War, in Agios Georgios Square, in the Municipality of Papagou – Holargos.

They were present The Chief of General Staff General Konstantinos Floros, the Mayor of Papagou – Cholargos Mr. Elias Apostolopoulos, the SA Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Greece Jung Il Lee the Director of the Asia and Oceania Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Plenipotentiary Minister Mr. Athanasius John, the President of the Panhellenic Association of Veterans of the Korean War Lieutenant General e.a. Stylianos Dragonthe President of the Athens War Museum Mr. Anastasios Liascosthe President of the Association of Veterans of the Air Force Lieutenant General (I) e.a. Dimitrios Lazaroumembers of the Armed Forces and veterans.

During the event, the Deputy Minister laid a wreath, while in his greeting, he stated the following:

«Seventy two years ago, North Korean troops launched an unprovoked armed offensive against the Republic of Korea. Few years after the weapons were silenced after the end of World War II and the overthrow of fascism, another, equally dangerous form of aggressive totalitarianism posed a new challenge to the community of free, democratic states.

In the face of this threat, the international community, under the auspices of the newly formed United Nations, mobilized vigorously. Keeping fresh in mind the lessons from the stormy 1930s and the law-abiding end of any policy of appeasement of dictators and authoritarian leaders, Western world leaders have decided that the courageous Korean people should not be left alone in the lurch. Kim Il Sung and his cynical foreign patrons could not be satisfied with wishful thinking about “defending peace.” To counter the overt attempt by North Korean totalitarians to forcibly impose their oppressive political system beyond their borders, the West considered that an armed response was needed.

For Greece, the decision to participate in this multinational crusade to defend democracy and United Nations principles at the ends of the universe was not easy. Our homeland had just emerged from the most nightmarish decade of its modern history. We were, of course, in the camp of the victors, but the price our people had paid for this triumph was very heavy. Nevertheless, in 1950, human and economic sacrifices were again required to support the good of freedom.

The rulers at the time, however, were fully aware of the criticality of the stake. If the struggling brave Republic of Korea was abandoned to its fate and fell, which of the smallest nations in the Free World could hope to successfully resist the new onslaught of totalitarianism? Greece, moreover, had chosen a camp many years ago, and this choice had repeatedly proved to be right. Therefore, the deployment of forces to Korea, despite the unbearable costs, was imperative, as a matter of principle but also of geopolitical interest. It was a bold choice, which was to be justified!

Respected veterans of the Greek Expeditionary Force in Korea, the burden of stopping the aggressive totalitarianism fell on you and your comrades-in-arms, in the most remote area that Greek troops have ever fought. You have fulfilled your duty in full under extremely unfavorable conditions, holding high the Blue and White and attracting the admiration of our allies. The bravery, the professionalism and the contempt for the danger that you showed were, during that period, the spearhead of the Greek foreign policy for the realization of the national goals. Thanks to your sacrifices and vigor, distant places, such as the blood-stained hill “Harry”, were imprinted forever in three thousand years of Greek history. Your own bright example, like that of the glorious fallen of our expeditionary corps, inspires us and reminds us that defending the freedom and honor of Greece is a priority that knows no borders and does not count distances.

Today, more than seven decades after the epic battles on the Korean Peninsula, our world looks so different, but at the same time so the same. The face of totalitarianism has changed. But his nature has not changed, as have his aggressive and predatory characteristics. Therefore, the same call to vigilance is addressed today to all peoples who want to live free and prosper under the rule of law.

For our part, our obligation is not only not to forget, but also to learn from the results of past choices. And the most important lesson from Korea’s sacrifices and success is that when high ideals are at stake, teaming up with their defenders is the obvious choice, regardless of cost. Greece, just like during the period 1950-1953, will consistently continue to be on the same side: on the right side of history. The side of democracy, the side of law, the side of the winners!

Thank you”.