President Lee Jae-myung invited national veterans, bereaved families of those killed in action during the First and Second Yeonpyeong Naval Battles and the Cheonan sinking, and others to the Blue House for a luncheon, expressing his gratitude and respect for their sacrifice and dedication to the country.

The luncheon, held today (the 13th) at the Yeongbin-gwan of the Blue House, was attended by some 180 people, including President Lee and the First Lady, national veterans, representatives of veterans organizations, bereaved families and surviving service members of West Sea defense operations, bereaved families of fallen soldiers and firefighters, and descendants of independence activists.

During the luncheon, President Lee stated, "Today's South Korea exists because there are those who willingly dedicated their lives at every critical juncture of modern history. I extend my deepest gratitude and respect for your noble sacrifices and dedication."

He added, "Over the past year, under the principle of 'special compensation for special sacrifice,' we have improved systems to elevate the honors and provide more robust support for sacrifices made for the nation. We will not stop our efforts to remember and pass down the value of veterans' affairs so that it remains fully intact for future generations."

President Lee pledged, "Is there a progressive or conservative when it comes to repaying the noble dedication of risking one's life for the motherland? We will do our utmost so that today's South Korea, built upon the sacrifices and devotion of national veterans and their families, can shine brighter and make a greater leap forward on the global stage."

He further noted, "We will continue to fulfill the state's responsibility and duty to ensure there are no shortcomings in protecting your honor and lives."

President Lee also remarked, "We must build a country that fills people with pride through special compensation for special sacrifice, and a country where someone will willingly step forward to lead for all of us again should we face crisis, by remembering and recording their deeds."

In addition, explaining the event, President Lee noted, "We brought together the invitation events that were previously held separately in June and August to honor national veterans and their families into a single gathering."

Special invitees at the event included Seo Deuk-won, a participant in the First Yeonpyeong Naval Battle; Navy Lieutenant Cho Si-eun, the daughter and spouse of the late Sergeant Cho Cheon-hyung who was killed in the Second Yeonpyeong Naval Battle; and the father of the late Sergeant Lim Jae-yeop, who was killed in the Cheonan sinking.

The father of the late Private First Class Choi Min-seo, who died in the line of duty while performing military service, and the father of the late Fire Inspector Park Su-dong, who died during firefighting operations, also attended.

Other attendees included former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, a maternal grandson of independence activist Kim Han; Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Yong-man, a great-grandson of Kim Gu; actor Lee Joo-seung, a grandson of Korean War veteran the late Lee Jong-gyu; Jeong Seong-ja, who treated injured citizens as a nurse at the provincial Masan Hospital during the March 15 Democracy Movement; and Ju So-yeon, whose diary related to the May 18 Democratization Movement is listed as a UNESCO Memory of the World.

Descendants of overseas independence activists, including siblings Sergei Chofop and Maksim Chofop, great-great-grandsons of the late independence activist Heo Wi who dedicated himself to the independence movement, were also present.

Blue House Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryung stated that President Lee personally pinned Taegeukgi badges on representatives from various fields, including independence, national defense, and democracy.
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)