Kore Parkı in Ankara honoring Turkish Korean War soldiers renewed by Hyundai

The Hyundai Motor-funded park in Ankara honoring Turkish soldiers who died in the Korean War has been renewed and reopened to the public.

Jeong Yeon-doo, Korean ambassador to Turkey, sixth from left, and other major personnel take photo at the commemoration ceremony of the Korean War's 74th anniversary at the reopened Kore Parkı in Ankara on June 25. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Kore Parkı, a Hyundai Motor-funded park located in Ankara, Turkey built in remembrance of Turkish soldiers who died in the Korean War has gone under a renewal 50 years after opening.

The park, which serves as a symbol of the long-lasting friendship between the two countries, completed its 10-month renewal that began in September 2023 and reopened to the public recently, according to the Korean automaker on Sunday.

The project was suggested by Hyundai Motor Group Chair Euisun Chung, who visited the park last year. It was commenced with the goal of better conveying appreciation toward the Turkish soldiers and providing a relaxing space to visitors.

A nine-meter (29.5-foot) tower resembling Korea's Seokgatap — a stone pagoda in Gyeonggju's Bulguk Temple that was designated as a national treasure — with the names of the 724 deceased Turkish soldiers engraved on it as well as the maintenance room and benches located in the park have undergone repair due to degradation and damage.

Under the renewal project, the top part of the tower has been washed and stones were replaced in the bottom part due to damage.

The walls of the park painted with the flags of the two countries as well as the benches and a canopy got facelifts.

The maintenance room was reborn as a hanok building with the traditional Korean architectural style, and a palgakjeong — an octagonal Korean-style pavilion — was newly set up for visitors to rest.

Both buildings were manufactured in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang in Korea before being delivered to the park to be installed over a two-week period.

The reopening of the park took place on June 25 with Jeong Yeon-doo, ambassador of Korea to Turkey, and other major personnel in attendance.

"Through the park's renewal, we expect that local citizens who visit the park can take a rest more comfortably and remind themselves of the noble sacrifice by Turkish soldiers of the Korean War," Hyundai Motor said in a release.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]