Pointing out that his country has been targeted by multiple guerilla groups -- the Islamic State group; the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a leftwing insurgency group committed to carving out an independent state for the Kurds; and the Fethullah Gulen Terror Organization (FETO) -- the envoy said the three groups shared the goal of derailing Turkey’s development and dividing its society along ethnic, religious and ideological lines, much like in Syria.

While IS and the PKK have waged ground-level attacks using suicide bombs and other cruel methods, FETO tried to topple the foundation of the state after having infiltrated its top echelons, he added.

The aborted putsch on July 15 and 16 killed more than 300 people, including 250 civilians, and injured over 2,100.

“But they were defeated by our citizens who took to the streets, as well as by our brave officers, soldiers and security personnel loyal to our democracy,” Okcal stressed. “The entire Turkish society, our people, parties and media, as well as our government, proved their strong faith in democracy and set an example to the world.”

The diplomat added that Turkey’s foreign policy promotes “peace at home, peace in the world,” a rallying cry from Ataturk.

Noting the military has protected Turkey’s democracy and upheld its constitutional duties, he argued the army had battled terrorism, sectarianism and ethnic and religious extremism inside the country and along its southeastern borders as a trusted NATO ally. 

Park Sung-choon, Korean minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, highlighted Turkey’s contribution to the Korean War (1950-53), where more than 21,000 of its soldiers fought and 966 lost their lives, with another 1,399 sustained injuries defending Korea’s freedom and democracy against the communist onslaught.

“Turkey and Korea have maintained our special bond forged in blood since the war, and our peoples have regarded one another blood-sealed brothers,” Park said in a speech.

“Our government and people have never forgotten the noble sacrifice and contribution of Turkish and United Nations veterans. We will always be grateful to your country and families whose loved ones protected our lands.”

Underlining that Ankara and Seoul have stood “shoulder-to-shoulder” in international affairs, the minister said the two sides have developed robust commercial ties, with annual bilateral trade of $7 billion.

More than 300,000 Koreans visit Turkey each year, he added, and Korean popular and traditional culture is sweeping across the country that bridges Asia and Europe.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)