SCHOLARSHIP. Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Inchul meet with four of the 210 students who will receive the Korea-funded scholarship for Korean War veteran relatives in this undated photo. Korea has allocated PHP3.67 million educational aid this year. (Photo courtesy of Korean Embassy in Manila)
MANILA – At least 210 scholars who are relatives of Korean War veterans stand to benefit from Korea's PHP3.67-million educational aid this year.
The Korean Embassy in Manila on Tuesday said the scholars, a mix of high school and college students, will get about USD300 to USD500 each as annual support until they graduate.
"This year, (the allocated) is USD73,000. A total of 160 are in high school and middle school while 40 are in college. For middle school and high school students, we offer about USD300 for a year while for university students it's about USD500," the Embassy told the Philippine News Agency.
Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Inchul said the assistance is a "small token of appreciation" for the service of the students' veteran family members.
"We always appreciate all veterans who fought in the Korean War, and we sincerely hope that this small token of appreciation can help a little bit in your journey to achieve your dreams," he said.
The envoy awarded the cash assistance to four of the 210 students during a ceremony at the Embassy on Tuesday.
Since 2010, Seoul has provided about USD800,000 or around PHP40.27 million in education assistance to these veterans' family members.
The Philippines was the first Asian country to send combat troops -- a total of 7,420 elite Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) members -- when communist North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950.
After the bloody battle to regain South Korea's freedom, PEFTOK suffered a total of 112 casualties, over 300 wounded, and 16 missing-in-action.
Even amid the pandemic, Korea had been consistent in recognizing the valor of Filipino soldiers who fought alongside its nationals when the war broke out.
Last year, it donated thousands of masks to the PEFTOK and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines as well as personal protective equipment to the crew of BRP Conrado Yap. (PNA)
