BANGKOK — A South Korean YouTuber known as “SSAEM Brother” posted an emotional video after traveling to Bangkok’s Victory Monument to thank Thai soldiers who fought in the Korean War more than 70 years ago.
On Dec. 29, the YouTuber visited the monument to pay tribute to Thai troops who joined the war to help defend South Korea. In the video, he introduced himself as Korean and said he had come to the memorial to express his gratitude.
“I am Korean. Today I came to the Thai soldiers’ memorial to thank you for helping South Korea during the war,” he said. “I should have come here the first time I visited Thailand, but I came much too late. I’m truly sorry.”
He said the site commemorates Thai soldiers who sacrificed their lives to help South Korea more than 70 years ago and expressed respect to all Thai soldiers.
“Because of your sacrifice, South Korea can be what it is today,” he said. “I will never forget you. Thank you for true friendship. I will try to be someone who shows the beauty of Thailand to many people.”
Victory Monument was built to honor soldiers, police officers and civilians who died during a conflict between Thailand and France in 1940. The names of those who died in that conflict were engraved at the site, and the names of those who later died in World War II and the Korean War were added afterward.
Thailand was one of 21 countries that responded to a United Nations request to send forces to help South Korea during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. Thailand sent a total of 11,786 troops, and 136 Thai soldiers were recorded as having died in the war.