Wanju-gun, Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony... 'Great Sacrifice, Forever in Our Hearts'

Military Increases Patriotism and Veterans Allowance to 100,000 Won Starting This Month

Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk, held a memorial ceremony at the Chung-hon Tower located in Samnye-eup, Wanju-gun, to commemorate the 68th Memorial Day.

On the 6th, the ceremony was held under the slogan "Great Sacrifice, Forever in Our Hearts." About 250 people, including Yu Hee-tae, the mayor of Wanju-gun, National Assembly member Ahn Ho-young, Provincial Assembly members Yoon Soo-bong and Kwon Yo-han, Seo Nam-yong, chairman of the county council, council members, heads of veterans' organizations, and families of veterans, attended the solemn event.

At exactly 10 a.m., a moment of silence was observed for one minute in response to the siren sounding nationwide. The ceremonial gun salute honoring the spirits of the patriotic martyrs and war heroes was carried out by soldiers from Unit 9585.

The flower offering and incense burning began with Mayor Yu, the chairman of the bereaved families association, and the chairwoman of the widows' association, followed by guests, residents, and public officials, paying tribute to the souls of the patriotic martyrs and war heroes.

In particular, the recitation of the memorial poem "The Sun of June" by poet Choi Jeong-ho, read by Hwang Sun-hee, secretary-general of the Wanju-gun Veterans' Organizations Council, moved the veterans' families and attendees to tears.

In his memorial address, Mayor Yu emphasized, "It is our duty to honor the contributions and uphold the spirit of the patriotic martyrs and national merit recipients who have become the foundation of today through their noble sacrifices."

A representative of the veterans' organizations said, "We are grateful that the county consistently observes Memorial Day and pays close attention to supporting national merit recipients and veterans."

Meanwhile, Mayor Yu, who comes from a family of independence activists, established a promotion association in 2001. For his contributions in holding memorial events annually, he was awarded the "Mugunghwa Medal of the Order of Civil Merit" in June 2021.

The county plans to increase the patriotic veterans' allowance from 80,000 won to 100,000 won per month starting in June, the month of national defense and veterans' honor, this year.