Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon: 'Honoring Young Soldiers Injured Defending the Nation Is Our Shared Responsibility'

Ahead of Armed Forces Day on October 1, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held a meeting with five young injured veterans at the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun Square.

The meeting was arranged to ensure that young people who suffered injuries while dedicating themselves to the country are not left behind, with a commitment to responsibly look after their lives even after discharge from military service.

In particular, as service members were recently injured in a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the city plans to further refine its support policies for injured soldiers based on the personal accounts of the young injured veterans themselves.

During today's meeting, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon mentioned the soldiers injured in the landmine explosion, saying, "I am not sure where their resident registration addresses are, but in reality, there are limits to pushing forward such support projects solely at the local government level." He added, "We have no choice but to proceed this way for now, but once other local governments across the country follow suit, the government will likely step in eventually."

Mayor Oh also posted a message on Facebook, stating, "Listening to the stories of young people returning to their daily lives after being injured while defending the country made me rethink the kind of respect and honor we must show them." He added, "Ensuring these young people can live while receiving the respect they deserve is the responsibility of all of us."

He emphasized, "We must not stop at just remembering our heroes. How a nation takes care of its heroes shows its dignity," and affirmed, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government will stand with injured soldiers and veterans until the end so they can live with pride."

While wishing for the swift recovery of the soldiers injured in the landmine explosion, Mayor Oh criticized the government, saying, "As investigations and explanations regarding the circumstances of the accident were delayed, the anxiety of the soldiers and their families, as well as the public, has grown."

He urged, "There remains the task of holding North Korea clearly accountable. There is no reason to be mindful of North Korea when the lives and safety of our citizens are at stake," adding, "The government must establish principles against acts threatening South Korea's security and respond resolutely."

Prior to the meeting, Mayor Oh and the young injured veterans toured Freedom Hall, an underground media exhibition space at the Garden of Gratitude, and the Light of Gratitude 23, an above-ground symbolic sculpture.

The city explained that the Garden of Gratitude is a space to remember the dedication of Korean War veterans and participating nations while reflecting on the values of freedom and peace.

The Light of Gratitude 23 consists of 23 structures symbolizing the 22 participating nations and South Korea, while Freedom Hall conveys the stories of veterans through media content.

In March 2022, the city established the Counseling Center for Young Injured Veterans for the first time among local government bodies nationwide.

Reflecting the voices of young injured veterans such as Captain Lee Ju-eun, who was injured in a landmine explosion during an operation in 2019, the center provides support for social reintegration ranging from legal counseling for national merit registration to psychological recovery, employment, and business startup connections.

As of August of this year, the city explained that legal support has been provided 676 times, while psychological support—including individual psychological counseling and self-help groups—has been conducted 126 times.

In addition, housing support continues through facilities like Wiguk Heonsin Youth Housing, a rental housing complex exclusively designated for young injured veterans.

The city's support project for young people's real estate brokerage fees and moving expenses also includes young injured veterans as primary target recipients to alleviate their housing burdens.

Based on the opinions gathered at today's meeting, the city stated that it will supplement the center's functions and existing support projects.

In particular, the city plans to pursue city-level policy improvements and recommendations for central government system reforms simultaneously, ensuring that respect for injured soldiers extends beyond medical treatment or national merit registration to stable social reintegration.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.