Meeting with Veterans’ Organizations in Commemoration of Patriots and Veterans Month
Beyond Increased Allowances, Expanded Funeral Support and Enhanced Recognition
"Connecting Dedication to the Nation with Policy and Space"
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is expanding its "Funeral Honor Service" for those who have dedicated themselves to the nation in their final moments. This program provides comprehensive funeral protocol services, including condolence ceremonies, the presentation of the national flag, and escorting the deceased, upon request from bereaved families. Seoul has already allocated a budget exceeding 100 billion won this year to strengthen its recognition of over 100,000 national merit recipients and their families.
On June 18, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon held a meeting at Seoul City Hall to express gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice of national merit recipients and to listen to feedback from the field regarding the city’s ongoing policies to honor veterans.
Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon is listening to opinions from the heads of veterans' organizations at the 'Veterans Organization Leaders Meeting' held at Seoul City Hall on the 18th. Seoul City
The meeting was attended by Mayor Oh, Ryu Jaesik, head of the Seoul branch of the Korean War Veterans Association, Kim Bugil, head of the Seoul branch of the Vietnam War Veterans Association, Kim Daeha, head of the Seoul branch of the Liberation Association, Jeong Jinseong, head of the Seoul branch of the Order of Military Merit Recipients Association, and 15 other leaders of veterans’ organizations.
Mayor Oh expressed his gratitude to the attending leaders of veterans’ organizations, stating, "True gratitude and honor for veterans can only be realized when sincerity from the field is reflected in policy," and asked them to suggest the direction Seoul should take in honoring veterans. He also explained the progress and significance of the "Garden of Gratitude," which expresses appreciation for the contributions of national merit recipients and the 22 countries that participated in the Korean War, stating that it will serve as a starting point for remembering and embedding the value of veterans in everyday life.
To ensure stable and efficient activities for veterans’ organizations, Mayor Oh also shared plans for the "Second Veterans Hall," which is scheduled to be built within the Yongsan Electronics Market District (Najin Shopping Center Buildings 17 and 18 development site). The current "Seoul Metropolitan Veterans Hall" is located in Gongdeok-dong, Mapo-gu, and the "Second Veterans Hall" is proceeding with procedures aimed at completion by 2030.
Seoul is also making significant efforts to strengthen recognition for over 100,000 national merit recipients and their families. Starting in 2022, the "Veterans Honor Allowance" for surviving patriots was increased from 200,000 won to 1 million won per month. In 2023, the "Living Assistance Allowance" for national merit recipients and their primary surviving family members in the basic livelihood or near-poverty class was raised from 100,000 won to 200,000 won per month. Last year, the "Participation Honor Allowance" was increased from 100,000 won to 150,000 won per month. This year, the "Veterans Recognition Allowance" was raised from 100,000 won to 150,000 won per month, and the "Participation Honor Allowance" for veterans aged 80 and above was adjusted from 150,000 won to 200,000 won per month.
The "Funeral Honor Service" for national merit recipients, ensuring a dignified final farewell for those who served the nation, will also be significantly expanded. Previously, due to budget and manpower constraints, only about 40% of service requests could be supported, but with this year’s supplementary budget, the city plans to double support to 80% of requests by increasing the budget.
Seoul is also working to reduce blind spots in support for bereaved families through institutional improvements. Previously, under the "Seoul Metropolitan City Ordinance on Recognition and Support for Independence Patriots," medical expenses were provided for independence patriots themselves, their primary surviving family members, and their spouses. However, if the primary surviving family member passed away, the surviving spouse was excluded from support. In April, the ordinance was amended to allow the spouse of a deceased primary family member to continue receiving medical expense support. Through this revision, the city aims to ensure that recognition for the dedication of independence patriots is fully extended to surviving family members and will consider further improvements to support systems in the future.
Additionally, in commemoration of the Month of Patriots and Veterans, Seoul plans to provide consolation funds in June to comfort national merit recipients and their families who live with the scars of war and to share the value of honoring veterans. Mayor Oh stated, "This year marks the 80th anniversary of liberation and the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. Those who protected our country at critical moments in history are here with us today," adding, "Seoul will not let your dedication remain only in memory, but will connect and develop it through policy and space, creating a society where sacrifice and dedication are respected and remembered in everyday life."
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