Trabzon Governorship: The claim that Korean War veteran Pirağa Uzun was not invited to the ceremony is not true.

97-year-old Pirağa Uzun, one of the few remaining Korean War veterans from Trabzon, expressed his disappointment to both the authorities and the association he founded, stating that he was not invited to the Republic Day celebrations on October 29. Uzun said, "I still don't say anything; I just want their health. I was drinking tea at the new association, but I may not go there anymore. There was no need for them to send a car for me. I would have gone there by bus," sharing his sadness.

"THE MEDAL I DONATED TO THE ASSOCIATION WAS SOLD"

Expressing his disappointment towards the Muharip Gaziler Derneği Trabzon Branch, of which he is a founder, Veteran Uzun stated, "I left the association I founded out of anger. I brought a medal from Korea to the association. The Korean Ambassador gave us all a medal. I donated the medal I was given to the association... They sold the gold medal I donated to the association. I know the medal was sold because it is not around. This medal belongs to me. It was more important than the medal I currently have on my lapel," he said.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DENIED THE ALLEGATION

The Trabzon Governor's Office announced that the news claiming Korean veteran Pirağa Uzun was not invited to the reception ceremony held for Republic Day on October 29 does not reflect the truth.

"THEY WERE INVITED THROUGH THE ASSOCIATIONS THEY ARE MEMBERS OF"

In a written statement from the Governor's Office, it was stated: "The news reported in some media outlets and social media pages regarding 'Korean veteran Pirağa Uzun not being invited to the Republic reception ceremony organized by the Governor's Office' does not reflect the truth. The families of martyrs, our veterans, and the families of veterans have been invited through the associations of martyrs and veterans, rather than being invited separately, just as they have been in previous Republic Day reception ceremonies. Our associations organized their members to participate in the Governor's reception ceremony." The statement also noted that the Governor's Office provided support to the associations regarding transportation and other needs.