Turkish envoy thanks South Korean rescuers for efforts in quake-hit areas

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye’s ambassador to Seoul on Thursday thanked South Korean rescue workers for their life-saving efforts in earthquake-hit areas of Türkiye.

In an event in Seoul, Murat Tamer praised the South Korean teams and expressed his gratitude, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

The event was attended by Foreign Minister Park Jin and the Korea Disaster Relief Team that returned last week after rescuing eight quake survivors in Türkiye.

"Many countries have offered humanitarian assistance to Türkiye, but I believe what South Korea extended to us was not merely humanitarian aid but the wholehearted support one would give to their own brother or family," the agency quoted Tamer as saying.

"We are grateful for every drop of sweat shed (by the team)," he added.

Park also lauded the rescue workers for their hard work despite many challenges, calling it "real diplomacy."

"The public and private sectors will continue to cooperate together to assist our brother nation Türkiye in their relief and recovery efforts," he said.

South Korea dispatched its second relief team consisting of 21 members for Türkiye on Friday. The first batch of 118 members arrived in Türkiye just after the deadly earthquakes struck on Feb. 6.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid