Gwangju Veterans Office Holds Nation-Loving First Pitch Event at KIA Game on Memorial Day

The Gwangju Regional Veterans Office held a nation-loving first pitch, first throw, and first hit event at the KIA Tigers home game held at Kia Champions Field on the 6th, Memorial Day. Provided by Gwangju Regional Veterans Office (from left: first pitch Woo Minwoo, first throw Kang Hanbyeol, first hit Sung Woo)

The Gwangju Regional Veterans Office announced on the 7th that it held a nation-loving first hit, first throw, and first pitch event at the KIA Tigers home game at Champions Field on the 6th, Memorial Day.

The first hit, first throw, and first pitch event was organized to express respect and gratitude to those who sacrificed and devoted themselves to the country, in commemoration of June, the Month of Patriots and Veterans. The event was held together with members of the future generation who are descendants of independence, national defense, and democracy merit awardees.

The first hit was performed by Woo Minwoo, a resident of the Gwangju Koryoin Village and a great-great-grandson of Park Nosoon, who participated in the armed anti-Japanese independence movement in Primorsky Krai during the Japanese occupation. The first throw was performed by Sung Wooju, the granddaughter of Major Sung Gwansik from Gwangju, who achieved a major military accomplishment by securing key strategic points along the Imjin River against the large-scale human wave tactics of the Chinese army during the Korean War. The first pitch was performed by Kang Hanbyeol, the eldest granddaughter of martyr Yoon Sangwon, who was killed by martial law troops while serving as a member of the citizen militia during the 5·18 Democratization Movement.

In addition to the first hit, first throw, and first pitch, a promotional video for this year's Month of Patriots and Veterans was shown at the event, providing a moment to remember and express gratitude to the spirits of fallen patriots and to reflect on the meaning of loving the nation.

Kim Seokki, head of the office, said, "We organized this event to ensure that the sacrifices of the nation's patriots will never be forgotten and to honor their noble intentions, especially as we mark June, the Month of Patriots and Veterans." He added, "I hope this occasion will serve as an opportunity for all citizens to once again reflect on their love for the nation and to unite in their appreciation for patriots and veterans, so that their sacrifices and contributions are never in vain."