A special action by a Korean company touched the hearts of netizens around the world.
On May 18, an intricate cataract surgery was carried out at a municipal hospital in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
That operation was organized by a Korean company as part of a projectto facilitateeye examinations and complex surgeries such as those for cataracts for family members of surviving Korean War veterans in Ethiopia in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.
Korean cosmetics brand Infresh has been making donations since its launch in Korea in 2007.
They have been preparing this cataract surgery support project since becoming interested in Ethiopia’s health environment and the lives of local veterans several years ago.
They also announced that they would maximize the effectiveness of the sponsorship project by promoting a project for treating eye diseases using stem cells as well as expensive intraocular lens implant surgery.
In Ethiopia, 8.8 million of the total population of 115 million, that is 7.7%, are visually impaired, and there are only about 160 ophthalmologists.
Also in 1974, when they became a communist regime, the Korean War veterans were expelled and had their property confiscated for fighting for the opposition. They lived in extreme poverty and were not able to receive proper medical treatment.
Recognizing that even daily activity is a challenge for most Ethiopian war veterans due to their severe visual impairment, Infresh implemented a large-scale surgery assistance project in collaboration with Vision Care, an international relief NGOdedicated to the prevention of blindness, and its Ethiopian branch.
An official from Infresh said, “We received great help from the Korean War veterans who sacrificed themselves for Korea, so it is our goal to provide the best support possible for every single one of them.”They added,“Starting with Ethiopia, we are planning to visit and help veterans from 16 different countries.”
An Ethiopian war veteran who received help from this cataract surgery project said, “I am grateful to the Koreans who did not forget what I did. I don’t have much time left to live, but I will remember it.”He then thanked the Koreans who sponsored him through Infresh.
Infresh said, “Since many veterans have already passed away, there is not much time left to express our gratitude. We just did what we were supposed to do as Koreans,” which demonstrates the company’s values.
Netizens around the world are showing support for this important relationship between the two countries, which has been going on for 70 years since the Korean War, and the Koreans who havenot forgottento express their gratitude even after such a long time has passed.