President Moon: "We will award national merit plaques to 220,000 people by next year" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in announced that by next year, nameplates honoring approximately 220,000 national merit recipients?including war dead and fallen soldiers, Korean volunteer students in Japan, victims of the April 19 Revolution and the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, and special mission merit recipients?will be presented.

On the morning of the 24th, at a luncheon held at the Blue House State Guest House inviting national merit recipients and their families, President Moon stated, "Along with presenting nameplates, we will uncover the lives of national merit recipients to instill pride in local communities and future generations."

President Moon said, "So far, nameplates have been placed on the homes of about 348,000 independence merit recipients, veterans, and democracy merit recipients," adding, "By next year, we plan to expand the scope to include war dead and fallen soldiers, Korean volunteer students in Japan, victims of the April 19 Revolution and the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, and special mission merit recipients, totaling approximately 222,000 individuals who will receive national merit nameplates."

He also emphasized the government's efforts for national merit recipients. President Moon highlighted the government's elevation of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to ministerial level and the increase of this year's budget to 5.8 trillion won, stating, "We will steadily raise compensation and allowances to support the living standards and real income of national merit recipients and their families." He also announced plans to expand entrusted hospitals, veterans nursing homes, and veterans halls.

President Moon noted the changed status of South Korea confirmed at last week's G7 summit, emphasizing, "Now, the Republic of Korea has become a country that determines its own destiny and exchanges support and cooperation with other nations."

Among the 11 countries attending the G7 summit, nine had supported South Korea during the Korean War, and now South Korea has grown to stand shoulder to shoulder with these nations. President Moon said, "This achievement was made through our patriotism," and added, "I hope our people take pride in the Republic of Korea, built with their sweat and tears."

He also highly praised the patriotism of national merit recipients for their significant contributions to national development. President Moon stated, "Patriotism was the foundation for overcoming poverty and rising to become the world's 10th largest economy. It gave us the courage to achieve democratization against dictatorship, became the driving force for creating peace through strong national defense, and now serves as the focal point for overcoming COVID-19 and advancing South Korea as a leading nation."

About 70 people attended the luncheon, including President Moon and the First Lady, members of 16 veterans organizations, bereaved families of West Sea defense soldiers, exemplary national merit awardees, the head of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and other government officials.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, the Blue House honored veterans and their families with state-level protocol. The Blue House emphasized, "Hyundai Motor Company provided hydrogen and electric vehicles developed with its own technology, and during the transfer from the War Memorial, where attendees gathered, to the Blue House State Guest House, state-level protocol (signal light clearance, escort by the Presidential Security Service and police) was provided."

In front of the Blue House State Guest House, the Ministry of National Defense traditional military band performed, and National Security Office Director Seo Hoon and Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Director Hwang Ki-chul personally welcomed attendees, expressing respect and gratitude.

Yu Eul-sang, chairman of the Korea Disabled Veterans Organization, representing the attendees, said, "We deeply appreciate the President inviting and encouraging veterans' families despite his busy schedule managing state affairs, and veterans organizations will continue to do their best for the advancement and development of the Republic of Korea."

Meanwhile, among the exemplary national merit awardees who previously received honors and decorations presided over by the Prime Minister, some (4 out of 32) were directly awarded by President Moon, elevating their recognition.

During the luncheon, remarks by exemplary national merit awardees and commemorative performances were held.

The Blue House explained, "After remarks by Lee Sang-woo, recipient of the 2019 National Order of Merit, and Kim Gil-rae, recipient of the 2021 National Medal, a trumpet performance by Gwak Da-kyung, a descendant of a Korean War veteran, and a congratulatory trot performance by singer Song Ga-in took place," adding, "On the way back, the National Security Office Director and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Director personally saw off the attendees."