Veterans Minister Attends Memorial Service for Former President Syngman Rhee, Emphasizes National Unity

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon O-eul attended the 61st anniversary memorial service for former President Syngman Rhee and expressed the government's commitment to national unity.

During the memorial service held at the Seoul National Cemetery this morning, Minister Kwon stated, "In Gwanghwamun, there are still many different voices regarding the future of the Republic of Korea. I am contemplating how we can channel that energy toward national development."

He also emphasized the need to deeply reflect on the words of the former president, who said, "Our people must realize how difficult and arduous it was to regain the independence of our lost nation, and we must use our unfortunate past as a mirror to ensure that we never again wear the yoke of slavery of any kind."

Minister Kwon also remarked, "Both President Syngman Rhee, who led the nation during the post-liberation period, and Kim Koo were devoted to the development of the Republic of Korea. While their directions and goals were the same, their methods were simply different."

He further stressed, "We must find clues to resolve the conflicts currently occurring between different factions based on the words and writings of the first president, Syngman Rhee."

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs reported that Minister Kwon proposed candid communication between the Syngman Rhee Memorial Society and the Kim Koo Memorial Association to foster national unity.

The memorial service, organized by the Syngman Rhee Memorial Society, was attended by approximately 300 people, including Minister Kwon, various dignitaries, members of the memorial society, and families of independence activists.

Meanwhile, on the morning of July 18, Minister Kwon visited the gravesite of former President Yun Posun in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, to mark the 36th anniversary of his passing, where he laid flowers, paid his respects, and toured the former president's birthplace.

Additionally, on the morning of July 20, he is scheduled to visit the Daejeon National Cemetery to lay flowers and pay respects at the gravesite of Hong Gi, the wife of former President Choi Kyu-hah, on the 22nd anniversary of her passing.

(Photo: Courtesy of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.