[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] This Year's West Sea Defense Day Event

Held at National Daejeon National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on the 24th

The 8th West Sea Defense Day commemorative ceremony, honoring the courage and spirit of sacrifice of the heroes who risked their lives to protect the homeland's seas, will be held at 11 a.m. on the 24th at the National Daejeon National Cemetery.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on the 23rd, under the theme "Freedom Protected by Devotion, Remembering the Heroes of the Republic of Korea," about 2,000 people including the families of the 55 West Sea Defense heroes, key government officials, senior military officers, and citizens will attend the ceremony. The event will proceed in the order of opening performance, national ceremony, flower offering/incense burning/moment of silence, memorial performance, calling the 55 West Sea Defense heroes again, commemorative speech, and commemorative performance.

During the memorial performance, a video will be screened featuring interviews with veterans who defended the West Sea, along with the children of the West Sea Defense heroes who are starting a new school semester, proudly remembering their fathers and expressing their determination.

Before the ceremony, attendees will pay respects at the burial sites of the fallen from the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong and the Yeonpyeong Island shelling, the Cheonan ship attack victims, and Lieutenant Han Joo-ho’s grave. West Sea Defense Day was established to honor the contributions of the 55 heroes and veterans who died in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong (June 29, 2002), the Cheonan ship attack (March 26, 2010), and the Yeonpyeong Island shelling (November 23, 2010), and to raise national security awareness and strengthen the resolve to protect the homeland. Since 2016, the fourth Friday of March has been commemorated annually as West Sea Defense Day. Various events will be held in conjunction with the 8th West Sea Defense Day besides the ceremony.

At the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-gu, from the 22nd to the 24th, every evening at 8 p.m. for 55 minutes, three large light pillars symbolizing the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, the Cheonan ship attack, and the Yeonpyeong Island shelling will be projected into the sky as the "Light of Immortality" to honor the 55 heroes.

Additionally, the 13th anniversary memorial event for the 46 Cheonan ship heroes, hosted by the Navy Headquarters, will be held on the 26th, and various memorial and commemorative events will take place nationwide at veterans’ offices and schools, including the maritime memorial service at Baengnyeongdo from the 27th to the 28th.