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The Kagnew Choir, composed of descendants of veterans of the Ethiopian 'Kagnew Battalion' that fought in the Korean War, will visit Korea on the 22nd. LG will sponsor their entire stay. The photo shows the Kagnew Choir performing locally in Ethiopia. / A Warm Day

LG announced on the 21st that it will sponsor the visit of heroes and descendants of the Ethiopian 'Kagnew Battalion,' which fought in the Korean War, to South Korea.

A total of 35 people, including the 'Kagnew Choir' composed of 34 descendants of Ethiopian veterans and 95-year-old Korean War veteran Tesfaye Asmamaw, are scheduled to visit South Korea for 36 days starting from the 22nd. LG will fully sponsor their entire stay, including airfare and accommodation expenses.

A Warm Day, a non-profit organization hosting and organizing the event, has continued its support business for the Ethiopian Kagnew Battalion veterans since 2016, and founded the Kagnew Choir in 2018 to conduct music education and international cultural exchange activities. LG sponsors the event along with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, presenting an exemplary case of public-private cooperation.

Ethiopia was the only African nation to participate in the Korean War with ground forces. The Kagnew Battalion of the Imperial Guard, which participated upon the decision of Emperor Haile Selassie at the time, established a record of 253 wins in 253 battles on the central front, the foremost line of fire. Due to their participation, 122 Kagnew Battalion members were killed in action and 536 were wounded.

The Kagnew Choir, formed by the descendants of the veterans, will fulfill various schedules, including attending the 'International Veterans and Peace Project Concert' to be held at the National Assembly on the 24th and the '76th Anniversary Ceremony of the Korean War' in Suwon on the 25th. On Thursday the 25th, they are also scheduled to sing the national anthem at a professional baseball game between the LG Twins and the Samsung Lions at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. The visiting delegation will conclude their schedule with a commemorative performance on July 27, 'UN Veterans forces Participation Day.'

In addition to this sponsorship, LG has been steadily continuing its social contribution activities for Ethiopia. In cooperation with KOICA and the Ethiopian government, it established the 'LG-KOICA Hope Vocational Training School,' a technical educational institution, in 2014 and has been providing high-quality IT technical education to local youth. By offering internship opportunities at the LG Electronics Central Africa Service Corporation to outstanding graduates, the school has nurtured around 600 local youth into industrial talents over the past 13 years, growing the Hope School into a successful model for global educational aid.

An official from LG said, "This visit by the Kagnew Choir goes beyond honoring the sublime sacrifice of Ethiopian veterans; it is a meaningful opportunity to exchange with the future generation through music," adding, "We will continue meaningful social contribution activities that fulfill our social responsibility without forgetting those who dedicated themselves to South Korea."

                                                                                                                Lee Ji-sun