▲ President Lee Jae-myung delivers a commemorative address at the 76th anniversary ceremony of the Korean War held at the Suwon Convention Center on the 25th.
President Lee Jae-myung stated today (the 25th), "The peace and prosperity we enjoy today did not come easily. It was built upon the noble sacrifices and dedication of heroes who threw themselves into the battlefield when the fate of our nation hung by a thread."
President Lee attended the 76th anniversary ceremony of the Korean War held in Gyeonggi-do today and said, "On behalf of the people, I offer my deepest respect and gratitude to the veterans."
"Seventy-six years ago, the fate of the Republic of Korea was in a precarious crisis, but we possessed a strong will to defend our homeland," President Lee recalled. "Not only regular soldiers but also students became student soldiers, trading pens for rifles, and ordinary people who had never fired a gun before rushed into the hail of bullets with a determined heart to protect their country and families."
He emphasized, "Remembering and honoring these heroes is the most important duty of the state and our community, and it is the proper obligation of the descendants who live in today's freedom, prosperity, and peace."
He further promised, "It is a firm principle of this government of national sovereignty that special sacrifices and dedication for the country must be followed by special compensation and appropriate treatment. We will do our utmost to ensure that the sacrifices of our veterans do not end with personal pride but lead to a more honorable and stable life."
President Lee stated, "Today, the government has newly awarded three irregular force veterans who achieved outstanding military accomplishments during the Korean War but had not been properly recognized for a long time. Although it is late, I offer my deepest gratitude and condolences to the veterans and their bereaved families who have now reclaimed their rightful honor."
The veterans newly awarded on this day include the late Kim Jang-seong (Chungmu Order of Military Merit), Lee Young-bok (Hwarang Order of Military Merit), and the late Jeon Ha-jeong (Hwarang Order of Military Merit).
At the same time, President Lee explained, "Since May 20, the amendment to the 'Act on Honorable Treatment of Veterans' has been in effect, expanding membership eligibility for veterans' organizations to include bereaved families. We will build robust institutional support so that dedication to the country does not end with one generation but can be proudly passed down through generations."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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