This Year’s Increase in Korean War Veterans’ Honor Allowance … Highest Level and Realistic Compensation in the Province
Uiryeong County, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 9th that it is carrying out significant veterans affairs projects with a spirit of sincerity, such as home renovations for national merit recipients, a uniform increase in honorary allowances, and the relocation of memorial monuments for national heroes.
Last month, the county completed home repairs for five households of national merit recipients over a period of four months. With a budget of 5 million won per household, projects included replacing kitchen sinks, installing rain shelters, and repairing roofs.
Earlier this year, the memorial monument for national heroes was relocated and installed in a location with parking facilities. The previous site was hidden behind a park marker, making the monument's presence unknown to the public, and was situated between a four-lane road, exposing it to traffic accident risks.
The county has brought together the 'Patriotic Veterans Memorial' and the 'National Heroes Memorial Monument' on the same site, honoring the noble spirit of heroes who gave their lives for the country.
'Practical compensation' has also been strengthened. The county uniformly raised the honorary allowance for veterans by 20,000 won. Starting this year, Korean War veterans and Vietnam War veterans (aged 80 and above) receive a monthly honorary allowance of 270,000 won, the highest level in the province.
This strengthening of veterans policies reflects the intentions of County Governor Oh Taewan. Governor Oh swiftly promoted the relocation of the memorial monument and the increase in honorary allowances, and personally checked the inconveniences and progress of the housing improvement projects for veterans.
On the 24th of last month, Governor Oh visited Uiryeong Hospital to pay respects to Cho Kyuhyun (age 96), the oldest Korean War veteran in the county, demonstrating his sincere commitment to honoring national merit recipients.
Meanwhile, on the 25th, the county drew attention by personally producing and broadcasting a retrospective video of Park Donggun, a 'law student-turned-student soldier' from Jijeong-myeon, for the 74th anniversary ceremony of the Korean War.
Mr. Park was captured by Chinese troops during the Battle of Hoengseong but escaped, and was recognized for his service in several battles, including Baengmagoji, receiving the Hwarang Order of Military Merit. On the 6th of last month, he attended a luncheon at the Blue House with President Yoon Sukyeol.
In the video, Mr. Park said, "Though I spent my youth on the battlefield, I have no resentment toward my country. I feel fortunate to have been born lucky, to have played a small role for Korea and its people, and to be able to leave this world with that in mind."
The county has decided to make arrangements in response to the family's request for transportation support when Mr. Park visits the hospital.
Meanwhile, the county has set the construction of a veterans' hall, which will consolidate currently dispersed veterans' organization offices, as a long-term project and is reviewing its feasibility. Once established, the veterans' hall will provide a resting place for veterans' families and a space where residents can experience and appreciate the history of veterans affairs in daily life. In addition, unified offices will enable systematic support for national merit recipients.
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