On the 10th, Yangsan City in Gyeongnam presented a medal certificate and the Hwarang Military Merit Medal to Jeong Heechun, the child of the late Jeong Wonsik, who distinguished himself in the Korean War, on behalf of the Minister of National Defense.
On the 10th, Yangsan City presented a medal certificate and the Hwarang Military Merit Medal to Jeong Hee-chun on behalf of the Minister of National Defense. Photo by Yangsan City
Since 2019, the Ministry of National Defense and the Army have been operating the 'Korean War Medal Recovery Investigation Team' to find veterans and bereaved families who were awarded medals for their merits during the Korean War but did not receive the actual medals and certificates due to the urgent battlefield conditions. This initiative is part of the 'Korean War Medal Recovery Project.'
The medal awarded posthumously to the late Jeong Wonsik is the Hwarang Military Merit Medal. He was recognized for his achievements while serving in the 5th Division Engineer Battalion during the war, and the award was decided, but the medal had not been presented until now.
Jeong Heechun, who attended the medal presentation ceremony, said, "I am grateful to the officials who worked hard to restore my father's honor for his dedication to the country, even if it is now, and I will cherish this honor."
Mayor Na Dong-yeon said, "I am pleased and honored to be able to commemorate the late Jeong Wonsik's achievements for the country and to personally present the medal to his family, albeit belatedly. We will do our best to honor the veterans so that the sacrifices of the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom and peace of the homeland are not in vain."
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