The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced on June 5 that the "70th Memorial Day Ceremony" will be held at the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the morning of June 6. Approximately 4,000 people, including national merit recipients, bereaved families, key government officials, representatives from various sectors, citizens, and students, will attend the ceremony.
The ceremony will begin with a video showing the raising of flags at half-mast at national cemeteries across the country. At exactly 10:00 a.m., a nationwide moment of silence will be observed, accompanied by memorial sirens, with the participation of people across the country. The program will continue with a memorial video, the national pledge, a commemorative performance, the awarding of national merit certificates, a memorial address, a themed performance, and a group singing of the Memorial Song.
The memorial video will feature "dedications" inscribed on the tombstones of national merit recipients interred at Seoul National Cemetery and Daejeon National Cemetery, narrated by actors Kim Gapsoo and Go Dooshim. During the national pledge, Master Sergeant Choi Moongil of the Marine Corps Training and Education Group will read the pledge to the flag. Master Sergeant Choi comes from a family of patriots, with both an independence merit recipient (great-grandfather) and a national merit recipient (father) among his ancestors.
The commemorative performance will present the story of Song Jaesook, who lived as the legal niece of her uncle but was able to reunite with her late father, Private Song Younghwan, through the discovery of his remains. This story will be shown in a video, and Song Jaesook will read a memorial letter on site. Following this, soprano Lee Haewon will perform the song "The Face I Miss."
The "Awarding of National Merit Certificates" will take place for the first time since the launch of the new government, with certificates in the name of the President being presented to a total of four individuals: a disabled veteran injured in a landmine explosion during demining operations in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and family members of recipients of military honors.
In the themed performance following the memorial address, a video will depict how, standing on the sacrifices and dedication of national merit recipients who protected the country, people today are building the present and striving toward the future. Baritone Kim Jutaek, accompanied by a multi-generational national choir and the Ministry of National Defense's vocal soldiers, will perform the grand choral piece "When the World Calls Your Name," which embodies the message of remembering noble sacrifices and moving forward with renewed strength. The ceremony will conclude with all attendees singing the "Memorial Song" together.
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Jeongae stated, "We must remember that today's proud Republic of Korea stands on the sacrifices and dedication of countless heroes who did not hesitate to give their lives for the country," and added, "I hope that this Memorial Day Ceremony will serve as a precious opportunity to remember their noble spirit and to engrave in our hearts all the sacrifices and dedication that have protected Korea."
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