
Two young Ethiopians, Worku Tadele and Neway Sileshi, have expressed their heartfelt thanks to South Korea for helping them pursue careers in engineering, citing both personal and historical connections to the country.

During a video interview with The Dong-A Ilbo on September 4, Tadele, 24, highlighted the deep significance South Korea holds for him and his family, stretching back to the Korean War. His grandfather had fought as part of the legendary Kagnew Battalions, a group of 6,000 elite troops from Ethiopia’s Imperial Army, who supported South Korea in the war, never losing a single battle in their 250 engagements.
Tadele’s own bond with Korea is much more recent but equally transformative. In 2021, he began studying electronic engineering at the LG-KOICA Hope TVET College in Ethiopia. The college, founded jointly by LG Electronics and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in 2014, aims to support Ethiopia’s development, honoring the nation’s unique role as the only African country that fought in the Korean War. After completing his studies, Tadele secured a position as a service engineer at LG Electronics’ Middle East and Africa headquarters, marking a significant step forward in his career.
“South Korea has a significance that will last beyond my lifetime,” said Tadele, reflecting on both his grandfather’s legacy and his own journey. He praised the South Korean people for their generosity and unwavering support, which have helped him overcome numerous challenges.
His classmate, Neway Sileshi, also shares a personal link to Korea through his grandfather, a fellow Korean War veteran. Sileshi was deeply touched by the gratitude shown by South Koreans toward his grandfather’s sacrifices and the willingness of South Korean organizations to contribute to improving lives in Ethiopia. After finishing school, he landed a job with Dragon Electronics, a major electronics retailer in the Republic of Mauritius.
Both Tadele and Sileshi attribute their career successes to the education they received at the LG-KOICA Hope TVET College, where they studied electronic engineering for two years. The college, designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge, has already produced 541 graduates since its establishment, including 83 students in the class of 2024. Remarkably, all graduates have either secured employment or launched entrepreneurial ventures.
However, the journey was not without challenges. Tadele recalled being forced to leave a local university due to the civil war and political instability in Ethiopia. Fleeing to the capital to find work, he stumbled upon the opportunity to study at the LG-KOICA Hope TVET College, a chance he considers a turning point in his life.
Despite having already started their careers, both young men are determined to continue their education. Tadele, currently working as a service engineer, emphasized his thirst for knowledge, stating, “I would like to spend four to five more years learning and growing my capabilities.” He is considering pursuing higher education in order to deepen his understanding of engineering.
Sileshi shares similar ambitions, with a particular interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to enhance efficiency in tasks like image and video editing. Both men see higher education as essential to refining their skills and advancing in their careers.
As they continue to build their futures, Tadele and Sileshi remain grateful for the support they’ve received from South Korea, seeing their own success as a continuation of the longstanding friendship between the two nations, a bond forged in war and strengthened through education and opportunity.
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