CORNWALL, Ontario – During a visit by the Korean Embassy to Cornwall on Friday, Dec. 1, a brief ceremony was held at Cornwall’s Cenotaph to remember those who fought during the Korean War.
In addition to the Korean Ambassador to Canada Maengho Shin, also present were MP Guy Lauzon, MPP Jim McDonell, Cornwall Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy, members of Cornwall City Council, representatives of the Cornwall Legion and the Chamber of Commerce and seven surviving veterans of the Korean War who live in Cornwall.
The Korean Ambassador was visiting Cornwall on Friday as a part of his Embassy’s Village Visit Program.
“My embassy is trying to embrace people to people ties around the capitol region,” said Ambassador Maengho. “I am visiting here for the first time. I heard from your Mayor you are in a very advantageous place,” he continued, referring to Conrwall’s proximity to the St. Lawrence River, Ottawa and Montreal.
Representatives from the Korean Embassy started the day by first meeting with the Mayor at his office at City Hall. The Mayor and part of the embassy delegation then met some of the students at St. Joes Catholic Secondary School. They students got the opportunity to learn about Korean culture and see demonstrations of Korea’s martial art, Tae Kwon Do. The Tae Kwon Do demonstrations were conducted by SD&G Tae Kwon Do Instructor Brent Stang with the help of one of his students.
A lunch was held at the Nav Centre, and organized by the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce with the Korean Ambassador. The Korean delegation then received a tour of the Nav Centre’s facilities.
In the afternoon, guests were invited to the Nav Centre to try traditional Korean food and watch a Korean movie.
“It was the Korean Embassy who extended the hand to us,” said Mayor O’Shaughnessy. “I think this is possibly the start of a stronger relationship,” he continued. “You never know what might come from things like this.”
