[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 25th, President Moon Jae-in commemorated the 55 warriors who defended the West Sea on the occasion of the 7th 'West Sea Defense Day' and expressed his condolences, stating, "Peace through strong security is the best way to repay the West Sea heroes," emphasizing the determination to strengthen security.
On the same day, through social network services (SNS), President Moon delivered a memorial message, saying, "Honoring the 55 West Sea defenders who became stars of national defense on the sea, I pay deep respect to the heroes. I also extend my condolences to the bereaved families and veterans who carry the longing."
He added, "Yesterday, North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile, making the security situation on the Korean Peninsula very severe," and stated, "Peace through strong security is the best way to repay the West Sea heroes."
President Moon also emphasized the fact that national defense capabilities were strengthened during his administration. He said, "Our defense budget surpassed 50 trillion won in 2020 and was finalized at 54.6 trillion won in 2022, recording an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The rollout of the first prototype of the Korean fighter jet KF-21 and the commissioning of the independently developed 3,000-ton-class submarine Dosan Ahn Changho are also significant achievements."
He continued, "We are building an ironclad defense and peace," adding, "Permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula will be achieved on the sacrifice and dedication of the West Sea defenders."
President Moon also stressed that the West Sea heroes have not been forgotten. He said, "The guided missile fast attack crafts named after the heroes of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong?Yoon Young-ha, Han Sang-guk, Jo Cheon-hyeong, Hwang Do-hyun, Seo Hu-won, and Park Dong-hyeok?are carrying out the mission of defending the homeland, and the Cheonan ship has been reborn as a more powerful new frigate equipped with domestically produced weapons such as the Hong Sang-eo torpedo. Jo Si-eun, the only daughter of Sergeant Jo Cheon-hyeong from the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, and Kim Hae-na, the eldest daughter of Chief Warrant Officer Kim Tae-seok of the Cheonan ship, have become honorable descendants of Admiral Chungmugong following their fathers’ footsteps."
He added, "On last year's Armed Forces Day, the protagonists of the Yeonpyeong Island shelling received medals and awards for the first time in 11 years," and said, "Although the operation was successful during the shelling, the soldiers who had not been recognized for their merits regained their honor." President Moon also mentioned that the registration of surviving soldiers as national veterans has been continuously carried out.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
