The National Alliance for the Advancement of Veterans Policy in Korea is holding a rally to urge the advancement of Korean veterans policy on the morning of the 26th at the Gwangju April 19 Unification Hall. Photo provided by the source
The National Alliance for the Advancement of Veterans Policy in Korea has called on presidential candidates to pledge to advance veterans policy for national unity.
On the morning of the 26th, the National Alliance for the Advancement of Veterans Policy in Korea held a rally at the Gwangju April 19 Unification Hall to urge the advancement of Korean veterans policy. The alliance stated, "None of the major presidential candidates have fulfilled their military service obligations, nor have they presented any pledges or measures regarding veterans policy. Veterans who have driven the development of Korean society?including independence activists and their descendants, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, general discharged soldiers, and contributors to democratization?still do not receive proper social compensation or respect."
The National Alliance for the Advancement of Veterans Policy in Korea was formed to advocate for the integration and advancement of veterans organizations in the 21st presidential election. The event was attended by figures such as Admiral Park Jeongsu of the Navy, Lim Youngil, Director of the Defense Technology Promotion Institute, as well as veterans, April 19 contributors, and May 18 contributors.
The alliance asserted, "Some veterans who are in difficult economic circumstances are being led to various right-wing political events just to get by, spending hard times on the streets. However, the majority of patriotic groups, including the Veterans Association, are ordinary citizens who wish for the nation’s development and stability."
They further stated, "Presidential candidates should elevate the current Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to the level of Deputy Prime Minister and establish a standing Veterans Committee in the National Assembly so that budgets and policies can be addressed regularly. The current veterans budget, which is only 0.95% of the national budget, should be raised to the 2% range, and gradually to the level of Taiwan (5%)."
Additionally, they emphasized, "Welfare and commemorative facilities should be established so that discharged soldiers and veterans’ families can take pride in the nation. A roadmap for national unity should be presented, such as holding academic conferences in which all veterans organizations can participate together."
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