Yoon Visits Vietnam War and Anti-Communist Operation Fallen Soldiers' Cemetery Immediately After Memorial Day Ceremony

President's Visit, First Since Tomb Site Establishment
Directly Consoling Bereaved Families Who Came to Pay Respects

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the third burial site at the National Seoul National Cemetery on the 6th, where soldiers who died in the Vietnam War and anti-espionage operations are laid to rest. This marks the first time in 42 years since the third burial site was established in June 1981 that a sitting president has visited.

According to Lee Do-woon, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, President Yoon visited the third burial site, which contains the graves of those who died in the Vietnam War and anti-espionage operations, after the official ceremony of the 68th Memorial Day held at the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu that morning.

President Yoon first visited the burial site of soldiers deployed to Vietnam. This site includes the grave of the late Colonel Park Sun-yu of the Army, father of Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik. President Yoon met with Minister Park’s mother and other family members there to offer his condolences.

President Yoon also paid respects at the grave of the late Captain Park Yong-jae of the Army. Captain Park was unmarried and had no descendants at the time of his death, but 16 of his fellow squad members have visited his grave every year without fail for 40 years. President Yoon praised this, saying, "That is truly remarkable."

Next, President Yoon visited the burial site of soldiers who died in anti-espionage operations and paid respects at the grave of the late Marine Sergeant Lee Sang-hyun, who died in combat with armed infiltrators while on post in Jinhae in 1972, comforting his bereaved family.

As President Yoon toured the soldiers’ burial sites, he encouraged the visiting families, saying, "Please share many good words with the fallen heroes," and comforted them by saying, "The freedom and prosperity of the Republic of Korea began on the blood-stained uniforms of those who died in battle." The families expressed their gratitude to President Yoon, saying, "We never thought a day like this would come."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is paying respects at the gravesite of soldiers who died in anti-espionage operations after attending the 68th Memorial Day ceremony held at the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by the Office of the President [Image source=Yonhap News]

A senior official from the Presidential Office explained to reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office who asked about the purpose of visiting the third burial site, "Although they sacrificed for the country, Vietnam War veterans and those who died in the Vietnam War have been somewhat marginalized in our society compared to other national merit recipients. Given the recent global security and economic crises, it is important for us to once again raise awareness about espionage, security, and defense. This visit can be seen in that context."

Meanwhile, just before attending the memorial ceremony, President Yoon participated in the interment ceremony of the remains of the late Private Kim Bong-hak of the Army, who died in the 1951 'Bloody Ridge' battle, considered one of the fiercest battles of the Korean War on the 6th. Private Kim Bong-hak was buried alongside his younger brother, the late Private Kim Seong-hak, who died in the defense battle of Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, in December 1950. This is the third 'Patriotic Brothers' burial site at the National Seoul National Cemetery.

In his memorial speech that day, President Yoon emphasized the spirit of honoring veterans, stating, "We will honor and remember to the end the so-called uniformed heroes such as soldiers, police officers, and firefighters who sacrificed for the country."

[Image source=Yonhap News]