On the 22nd of June 2025, Ethiopians in Korea organized and had an event in Seoul delivering a congratulatory letter to the newly elected Korean president. The event, the press conference was held in front of the Presidential office, 22 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul.

The gathering highlighted a formal reading of the letter to the President conveying their best wishes on his victory. The event also included messages from Ethiopian residents, refugees, and asylum seekers urging the South Korean government to advocate for peace, pluralistic democracy and human rights in Ethiopia and to address the urgent need to improve conditions for Ethiopian refugees and asylum seekers in South Korea. A proposal to formally recognize May 6 as “Ethiopia Day”, in honor of the Ethiopian peacekeeping troops who stood in solidarity with Korea during the Korean War in 1951, was also made.

The Ethiopians now living in South Korea take this occasion to reaffirm their commitment to democratic values, peace, and historical remembrance between the two nations, honoring ongoing efforts for justice and dignity for Ethiopians here and abroad.

The newly elected South Korean president was elected on the 3rd of June, 2025  through a democratic election, replacing the ousted president due to the martial law fiasco.

Here is the Congratulatory Letter to the New President of Korea:

To the Honorable President Lee Jae-myung

President of the Republic of Korea

Subject: Congratulations on Your Election as the New President of the Republic of Korea

We, the Ethiopians in Korea who reside in this country, would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt congratulations on your election as the 21st President of the Republic of Korea, following the popular vote on June 3rd, 2025. We send you this letter on this day, June 22, 2025, to convey our joy and best wishes on your victory.

We Ethiopians living in Korea have come from various regions of our homeland for reasons including asylum, education & research, employment, business, and marriage. The Republic of Korea and Ethiopia share a long-standing, blood-bound friendship. The sacrifice our Ethiopian forefathers made, giving their lives and bodies for the freedom, democracy, and development of this nation, is remembered with historical and eternal gratitude.

As you have been elected through a historic democratic process to lead this country, we are hopeful that under your leadership, Korea will continue to progress with integrity and wisdom. On this occasion, we would also like to express our deep respect to the people of Korea, both in the country and abroad, for their active and peaceful participation in the democratic election process to choose their leader.

We also hope and trust that your new administration will further strengthen the good relations between your esteemed country and our beloved motherland, Ethiopia. As citizens, we wish to see our country benefit from South Korea’s rich experience in building a democratic system, encouraging citizens’ political participation, building strong independent institutions, safeguarding human rights, and expanding an all-Ethiopian-centered development economy. To this end, we humbly request your support in helping Ethiopia become a peaceful, stable, and citizen-trusting nation.

On this historic occasion, we are writing to respectfully present the following messages, which we believe are of great importance to both our homeland, Ethiopia, and to the host country we now call our second home.

The primary message concerns our beloved country, Ethiopia.

For many generations, various oppressive regimes have operated in Ethiopia, known for subjecting our people to suffering and suppression. Similar to former systems, the present political order is unfortunately also highly exhibiting tendencies that silence opposition voices and treat dissenting individuals, groups, and institutions as enemies.

We urge that Ethiopia move away from cycles of repression and conflict. Rather than using force, imprisonment, or bloodshed to resolve political differences, we believe the nation urgently needs a system that fosters genuine multi-party democracy and a pluralistic society. It must become a platform where public dialogue and national consensus are prioritized over force and intimidation.

We hope your administration will encourage a truly multi-party democracy and a platform that embraces pluralism, where differences are addressed not through force, bloodshed, or imprisonment, but through free dialogue and national consensus. Our country is now on the verge of collapse due to internal conflict caused by a failed state. We sincerely appeal to Your Excellency’s administration to lend your influence and experience toward helping the Ethiopian people achieve peace, freedom, democracy, and sustainable development. It is our hope that the new administration will stand with the people of Ethiopia and collaborate with institutions working for their well-being.

The second message concerns Ethiopians who are living in exile in South Korea.

Many of us have fled our homeland due to political repression, lack of democratic freedoms, or other compelling circumstances. This country, a nation built on sacrifice and resilience, is held dear to us since our heroic forefathers sacrificed their lives; we consider it our second home.

However, our people are deeply concerned about the hardships faced by Ethiopian refugees, particularly concerning immigration processes, punishment, harsh deportation risks, and limited protections. We respectfully urge the new administration to consider policies that ensure the human rights and dignity of all refugees in South Korea are respected. We hope to see improved and stable conditions that allow for secure and hopeful lives for all those seeking refuge in this nation.

The third message is to emphasize the unique situation of Ethiopians living in Korea and to call for appropriate attention and recognition.

Finally, we would like to highlight the unique and enduring relationship between our two countries. Ethiopians have had a longstanding presence in South Korea, dating back to May 6, 1951, when the first Ethiopian peacekeeping troops arrived to support Korea during its time of war. We respectfully request that your administration officially recognize May 6 each year as “Ethiopia Day,” which commemorates the day (May 6, 1951) the first Ethiopian troops arrived in Korea. This recognition would not only honor history but also help strengthen ties between Ethiopians and Korean society, supported through continuous governmental acknowledgment.

Your Excellency,

We once again extend our sincere congratulations and wish you a successful term marked by wisdom, justice, and prosperity. We remain hopeful that your leadership will be characterized by a commitment to human dignity, democratic values, and international solidarity.

With the highest respect,

 Ethiopians in Korea

Photos provided by Bereket Alemayehu