1,083 People in Their 20s Sacrificed Their Lives for the Nation Over 5 Years... Kim Daesik: "Total of 1,410 Line-of-Duty and Accident Victims Recognized"

Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Releases Data on Veterans Eligible for Compensation Over the Past Five Years
76.8% in Their 20s; Urgent Need for Safety Measures and Policies to Protect Lives

Daesik Kim, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee and a representative of the People Power Party for Sasang District in Busan, released an analysis on June 5, the 70th Memorial Day, based on data submitted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs regarding the registration status of national meritorious persons and those eligible for veterans' compensation over the past five years.

According to the data, from 2019 to this year, a total of 1,410 individuals lost their lives in service to the nation and were registered as veterans eligible for compensation. Among them, 1,115 (79.1%) were military or police personnel who died in accidents, 193 (13.7%) were military or police personnel who died in the line of duty, and 93 (6.6%) were public officials who died in accidents. More than 85% of the total deaths resulted from accidents that occurred during military, police, or public service duties.

Of the 193 military or police personnel who died in the line of duty, 134 (69.4%) were soldiers, 26 (13.5%) were firefighters, and 20 (10.4%) were police officers. This confirms that sacrifices continue to occur in professions responsible for national security and public safety, even during peacetime.

By age group, those in their 20s accounted for the largest number at 1,083 (76.8%), followed by those in their 30s at 124 (8.8%), and those in their 40s at 86 (6.1%). Most of the victims in their 20s were in the early stages of their service or at the beginning of their careers, highlighting the need for institutional measures and protective systems to prevent such tragedies.

Daesik Kim stated, "The dedication of those who sacrificed for the nation supports the Republic of Korea today," emphasizing, "It is a fundamental duty of the state to take full responsibility for their honor and lives until the end."

He also added, "Memorial Day should not only be a day to remember the past but also a day when the state responds to the families left behind," and stressed, "We must establish institutional safety management and response systems to protect young lives and implement practical veterans' policies."

Kim further asserted, "For firefighters, police officers, soldiers, and public officials who take risks in the line of duty, the state must move beyond posthumous responsibility and provide proactive protection," and emphasized, "Veterans' affairs are both a tribute to sacrifice and a social promise for the future that we must reaffirm."

Daesik Kim, member of the People Power Party.