“Your youth is the history of Korea.”

The silver-haired nurse-pioneers, now in their 70s and 80s, nodded in agreement. Some smiled brightly, while others reddened with tears.

Sixty years have passed since the first group of 128 Korean nurses set foot in Germany in 1966. Held on September 5 (local time) in Bottrop, Germany, the “60th Anniversary Celebration of the Dispatch of Korean Nurses to Germany” was a meaningful occasion to look back on their lives and dedication. About 500 attendees gathered to honor the footsteps of these nurses, which also form a chapter in the history of South Korea-Germany relations.

On one side of the venue, a photo exhibition titled “60 Years of Dedication, Moments of Memories” was set up. Faded photographs vividly captured the young nurses bidding tearful farewells to their families at Gimpo Airport, longing for their homeland in an unfamiliar German land, and sharing moments with colleagues in German hospitals.

Standing before the photographs, attendees gazed at their younger selves from 60 years ago for a long time.

Following the national rite and the singing of the South Korean national anthem, the German national anthem also echoed through the hall. It was a chorus filled with gratitude and respect for Germany, which became their second home.

In her commemorative speech, Chairperson Park So-hyang reflected on the pain and dedication of her colleagues who left their hometowns for Germany during impoverished times, stating, “Your youth is the history of Korea.”

President Lee Jae-myung conveyed his gratitude through a video congratulatory message, saying, “We will never forget your sacrifices.” Karl-Josef Laumann, Minister of Welfare for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and Kerstin Griese, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Korean nurses for bringing changes to the German nursing system, stating, “Germany will never forget your hard work either.”

Noh Mi-ja, Chairperson of the Overseas Nurses Association, Ko Kyung-seok, Ambassador of South Korea to Germany, Shin Kyung-lim, President of the Korean Nurses Association, and Kim Min-chul, Deputy Commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency, also delivered congratulatory remarks honoring their dedication.

The celebration featured traditional dance, vocal performances, fan dances, choir performances, and pop songs. As lively music filled the air, the nurses in their 70s and 80s stood up one by one and danced. Their faces once again beamed with the laughter of their 20s.

The event far exceeded its scheduled time, yet no one wanted to leave their seats. However, the time for parting eventually arrived.

“Goodbye. Let’s meet again.”

Tears flowed as they embraced each other tightly and exchanged farewells. The young nurses who left their homeland 60 years ago have now grown old with white hair, but the sweat and sacrifices they left behind remain the foundation of South Korea's development and a history of friendship between South Korea and Germany.

“60 years of dedication, we will remember you forever.”

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