Cheonanham Survivors to Throw First Pitch in Professional Baseball Game

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] A ceremonial first pitch event involving survivors and bereaved families of the Cheonan ship will be held on the 23rd at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced that the "Love for the Country First Pitch Event" will take place during the professional baseball game between the LG Twins and Hanwha Eagles at 6:30 PM at Seoul's Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

This event was planned in collaboration with the LG Twins by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in honor of the Month of Patriots and Veterans. Former Cheonan ship captain Choi Won-il and Lee Seong-hoo, chairman of the Cheonan ship Bereaved Families Association, will perform the ceremonial first pitch and first bat, respectively, while Minister Park Min-sik will serve as the ceremonial catcher to honor the heroes who protected the nation.

Former Captain Choi will wear a jersey with the number 58, symbolizing the 58 surviving soldiers of the Cheonan ship, Chairman Lee will wear number 46, representing the 46 fallen soldiers, and Minister Park will wear number 772, the hull number (PCC-772) of the Cheonan ship. The Military Band of the Ministry of National Defense Support Group will perform the national anthem to honor the survivors and bereaved families.

Minister Park stated, "I hope that our citizens will not only remember and respect the national heroes during the Month of Patriots and Veterans but also cultivate a culture of honoring them in daily life. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs will also do its utmost to foster a culture of pride among national merit recipients and their families."

Meanwhile, the Ministry plans to continue discussions and develop a cooperative system with the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) to enhance respect and support for national merit recipients.