Asfaw Teklemariam Habteyes
Bio
Asfaw Teklemariam Habteyes was born in Ethiopia on February 21, 1941. (The Western calendar has his birth year listed as 1934 due to it differing from the Ethiopian calendar). While a young boy, he was impressed by his father’s service during the Italian occupation and was inspired to serve his country when he became of age. In 1952, he enlisted in the army and served in the infantry. He was sent to Korea to fight in the Korean War. He considered it a high honor to help Koreans in their fight for freedom. Later in life, he revisited the country and was glad to see their prosperity and recovery from war. Today, he continues to hold out hope for the Koreas to unite. He serves on the board of Ethiopia’s Korean War Veterans Association and works to recognize and honor those who served there.
Video Clips
Inspired to Serve
Asfaw Habteyes describes the motivation that prompted him to serve his country by joining the military. He shares how he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and how impressed he was by the reception the Korean War veterans were receiving at home. He expresses the empathy he felt for the plight of Koreans due to his own experiences with living under occupation.
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/asfaw-teklemariam-habteyes#clip-1
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The Lessons of the Korean War
Asfaw Habteyes shares his belief about the lessons learned of war. He believes that war is a mistake due to the high cost. He explains that war should teach nations to seek friendship rather than destruction and that the Koreas need to come together.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWdi-pp0Ejc&start=2106&end=2279
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/asfaw-teklemariam-habteyes#clip-2
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The Lack of Korean War History in Schools
Asfaw Habteyes shares his thoughts as to why the history of the Korean War is not taught in schools. He explains how Ethiopia had a communist government for a time that forbid its teaching due to the tremendous success South Korea experienced. He suggests that South Korea could corroborate with Ethiopia and together teach the history.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWdi-pp0Ejc&start=2280&end=2450
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/asfaw-teklemariam-habteyes#clip-3
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