A Helping Hand, Memory, and Rewarding: South Korea's Veterans Diplomacy toward Ethiopia

Jaebeom Kwon; Jinyoung Lee; Seong-Yong Park

doi:10.29152/KOIKS.2026.57.2.229

A Helping Hand, Memory, and Rewarding: South Korea's Veterans Diplomacy toward Ethiopia

Jaebeom Kwon
, Jinyoung Lee
, Seong-Yong Park^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review

Abstract

This study examines South Korea's veterans diplomacy, a foreign aid strategy shaped by historical memory. Focusing on Ethiopia, a key participant in the Korean War, it argues that South Korea's aid policies are driven not only by political or economic factors but also by a sense of gratitude toward past benefactors. By analyzing South Korea's multifaceted assistance to Ethiopia, this research highlights how historical experiences influence contemporary foreign policy, particularly in benefactor-beneficiary relationships. The findings contribute to broader discussions on the role of collective memory in shaping international cooperation beyond conventional strategic and material interests.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	229-259
Number of pages	31
Journal	Korea Observer
Volume	57
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.29152/KOIKS.2026.57.2.229
State	Published - 2026.06.1

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

Keywords

Foreign Aid
Historical Memory
Korean War
South Korea-Ethiopia Relations
Veterans Diplomacy

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10.29152/KOIKS.2026.57.2.229

Cite this

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title = "A Helping Hand, Memory, and Rewarding: South Korea's Veterans Diplomacy toward Ethiopia",

abstract = "This study examines South Korea's veterans diplomacy, a foreign aid strategy shaped by historical memory. Focusing on Ethiopia, a key participant in the Korean War, it argues that South Korea's aid policies are driven not only by political or economic factors but also by a sense of gratitude toward past benefactors. By analyzing South Korea's multifaceted assistance to Ethiopia, this research highlights how historical experiences influence contemporary foreign policy, particularly in benefactor-beneficiary relationships. The findings contribute to broader discussions on the role of collective memory in shaping international cooperation beyond conventional strategic and material interests.",

keywords = "Foreign Aid, Historical Memory, Korean War, South Korea-Ethiopia Relations, Veterans Diplomacy",

author = "Jaebeom Kwon and Jinyoung Lee and Seong-Yong Park",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 by INSTITUTE OF KOREAN STUDIES.",

year = "2026",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.29152/KOIKS.2026.57.2.229",

language = "English",

volume = "57",

pages = "229--259",

journal = "Korea Observer",

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T1 - A Helping Hand, Memory, and Rewarding

T2 - South Korea's Veterans Diplomacy toward Ethiopia

AU - Kwon, Jaebeom

AU - Lee, Jinyoung

AU - Park, Seong-Yong

PY - 2026/6/1

Y1 - 2026/6/1

N2 - This study examines South Korea's veterans diplomacy, a foreign aid strategy shaped by historical memory. Focusing on Ethiopia, a key participant in the Korean War, it argues that South Korea's aid policies are driven not only by political or economic factors but also by a sense of gratitude toward past benefactors. By analyzing South Korea's multifaceted assistance to Ethiopia, this research highlights how historical experiences influence contemporary foreign policy, particularly in benefactor-beneficiary relationships. The findings contribute to broader discussions on the role of collective memory in shaping international cooperation beyond conventional strategic and material interests.

AB - This study examines South Korea's veterans diplomacy, a foreign aid strategy shaped by historical memory. Focusing on Ethiopia, a key participant in the Korean War, it argues that South Korea's aid policies are driven not only by political or economic factors but also by a sense of gratitude toward past benefactors. By analyzing South Korea's multifaceted assistance to Ethiopia, this research highlights how historical experiences influence contemporary foreign policy, particularly in benefactor-beneficiary relationships. The findings contribute to broader discussions on the role of collective memory in shaping international cooperation beyond conventional strategic and material interests.

KW - Foreign Aid

KW - Historical Memory

KW - Korean War

KW - South Korea-Ethiopia Relations

KW - Veterans Diplomacy

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105044869914

U2 - 10.29152/KOIKS.2026.57.2.229

DO - 10.29152/KOIKS.2026.57.2.229

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:105044869914

SN - 0023-3919

VL - 57

SP - 229

EP - 259

JO - Korea Observer

JF - Korea Observer

IS - 2

ER -

A Helping Hand, Memory, and Rewarding: South Korea's Veterans Diplomacy toward Ethiopia

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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Findings from Jeonbuk National University Yields New Findings on Veterans (A Helping Hand, Memory, and Rewarding: South Korea's Veterans Diplomacy Toward Ethiopia)

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A Helping Hand, Memory, and Rewarding: South Korea's Veterans Diplomacy toward Ethiopia

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Press/Media

Findings from Jeonbuk National University Yields New Findings on Veterans (A Helping Hand, Memory, and Rewarding: South Korea's Veterans Diplomacy Toward Ethiopia)

Cite this