President Yoon: "Remembering Independence Heroes Until the End... Responsible Honors"

President Yoon Suk-yeol participated in the joint funeral procession ceremony for the Korean Liberation Army patriots held on the 14th at the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 14th, "The government will ensure that there is not the slightest negligence in respectfully honoring those who have sacrificed and dedicated themselves for the nation and its people."

On the same day, during a joint farewell ceremony for 17 patriotic martyrs held at the Seoul National Cemetery’s Memorial Hall, President Yoon said, "We must remember the heroes who fell without leaving their names behind for the independence of our homeland until the very end."

The farewell ceremony was arranged to relocate 17 martyrs, including the late activist Kim Yu-shin, who had been interred at the Suyu-dong Joint Grave of the Korean Liberation Army in Seoul, to the National Daejeon Cemetery. President Yoon attended as the chief guest, paid respects at the Chungyeoldae and the graves, and laid flowers for the 17 Korean Liberation Army martyrs during the ceremony.

In his memorial speech, President Yoon said, "The freedom we enjoy to the fullest stands on the sacrifices of those who, amid the bleak reality and despair of the Japanese colonial period, threw their lives away like grass for freedom and the independence of the homeland," and added, "I bow my head in prayer for the souls of the martyrs." He continued, "At the Suyu-dong Korean Liberation Army Joint Grave, 17 martyrs, including 13 who died in their twenties fighting against the Japanese in China or who died in prison, have been enshrined for over 60 years," and added, "After 77 years of liberation, all 17 martyrs can now be honored at the national cemetery."

He especially commemorated each of the 17 martyrs by name, including activist Kim Soon-geun, who committed suicide in prison to avoid revealing military secrets after being arrested and subjected to brutal torture, and activist Lee Han-gi, who died during a mission to the North after returning home following liberation. President Yoon said, "We will take care of and remember even the sacrifices and dedication of the unknown in the name of the nation until the very end," and concluded, "I pray for the eternal rest of the martyrs."