Father's Name Incorrectly Written in Hanja... Currently Corrected
Marine Corps: "Ridiculous Mistake... We Apologize"
The Marine Corps mistakenly inscribed the character for 'father' as 'husband' (夫) instead of the correct 'father' (父) on the condolence board for the late Corporal Chae Su-geun, who died in the line of duty while searching for missing persons, but later corrected the error.
According to the Marine Corps on the 21st, the Marine Corps has set up Corporal Chae's condolence room in the 'Kim Dae-sik Hall,' a gymnasium within the 1st Marine Division in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, and has been receiving condolences since the previous day.
The Marine Corps mistakenly inscribed the late Corporal Chae Su-geun's father's title at the funeral hall as 'Jiabi Bu (夫)' instead of 'Abeoji Bu (父)' while searching for missing persons, but later corrected it. [Photo by Yonhap News]
However, it was found that the character used to denote 'father' on the condolence board was the character for 'husband' (夫) instead of the correct 'father' (父). The Marine Corps recognized the mistake belatedly and corrected the character to the proper one for 'father.'
A Marine Corps official stated, "We made a ridiculous mistake and apologize to the deceased and the bereaved family."
On online communities, posts criticizing the Marine Corps continued, saying, "They did not even provide the minimum respect to the deceased."
Memorial visits continue in a solemn atmosphere
On the 20th at 3 PM, at the Kim Dae-sik Hall (indoor gymnasium) of the 1st Marine Division in Ocheon-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongbuk, a solemn atmosphere prevailed as people continued to pay their respects. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, Corporal Chae Su-geun will be posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation. Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan planned to visit Corporal Chae's condolence room in the afternoon to present the Order of Merit for National Foundation with the Gwangbok Medal.
From around 3 p.m. on the 20th, memorial visits continued in a solemn atmosphere. The bereaved family held back tears while offering flowers, and Marines bowed their heads one by one to pay tribute to Corporal Chae Su-geun. Corporal Chae's mother gently touched her son's portrait and shed tears endlessly.
On that day, the condolence room was filled with wreaths and condolence flags sent by President Yoon Seok-yeol, the Marine Corps Family Association, the Chief of Naval Operations, members of the National Assembly, and political circles. Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, Governor Lee Cheol-woo, and Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop visited the condolence room. Leader Kim wrote in the guestbook, "With all my heart, I pay tribute to the noble sacrifice and sincerely pray for the repose of the deceased."
The 1st Marine Division announced that it had consulted with the bereaved family to allow the public to pay their respects at Corporal Chae's condolence room. It is known that condolences will be accepted until late afternoon on the 21st. Corporal Chae's funeral will be held as a Marine Corps funeral, and the farewell ceremony will take place around 9 a.m. on the 22nd.
Corporal Chae is scheduled to be interred at the National Cemetery. On the 20th, the commander of the 1st Marine Division approved Corporal Chae's posthumous promotion to corporal, so the funeral will be held with the rank of corporal, not private, which was his rank at the time of the accident.
The Marine Corps stated on the day, "We mourn the Marine who died in the line of duty while performing recovery operations after heavy rain damage," and added, "We offer our deepest condolences and apologies to the bereaved family and sincerely regret causing concern to the public."
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