Pocheon City Steps Up to Enhance Respect for Patriots and Veterans
...Achieving the Highest Level in Gyeonggi Province
Pocheon City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Younghyun) is reaffirming its status as a "Special City for Patriots and Veterans" by launching a variety of policies in June, the Month of Patriots and Veterans, to honor the sacrifices of fallen patriots and national merit recipients and to strengthen respect for their families.
Baek Younghyun, mayor of Pocheon, is saluting a national merit recipient who dedicated himself to the country at the Memorial Day ceremony on the 6th. Provided by Pocheon City
According to Pocheon City on June 23, the city has aligned itself with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs' policy brand "Patriotism for All" by fostering a social atmosphere in which national merit recipients and their bereaved families are respected and honored, while also moving to strengthen practical support for them.
Mayor Baek Younghyun stated, "Without the national heroes who sacrificed themselves for the country and the people, we would not exist today," adding, "Pocheon City will make every effort to ensure that national merit recipients are accorded the utmost respect and care."
Pocheon City is making every effort to provide the highest level of respect to national merit recipients and their families in order to enhance their honor and pride.
To improve benefits for those eligible for national merit, the city has increased related allowances by 25% compared to the previous year. The monthly allowance for veterans is now 250,000 won, for independence patriots 300,000 won, and for spouses of veterans 130,000 won.
In addition, in 2026, the city plans to amend its ordinance to raise both the Patriotic Honor Allowance and the Veterans Honor Allowance to 300,000 won each. This was a campaign pledge of Mayor Baek Younghyun during the 8th popularly elected administration and is the highest level among the 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province. These allowances can be applied for at local administrative welfare centers in the applicant’s area of residence, and after confirming eligibility, payments are made on the 25th of each month.
Baek Younghyun, mayor of Pocheon, is shaking hands with a national merit recipient who dedicated himself to the country at the Memorial Day ceremony on the 6th. Provided by Pocheon City
The city is also implementing various policies to foster a social environment that respects the sacrifices and contributions of national merit recipients.
Pocheon City operates the Patriots and Veterans Hall so that national merit recipients and their families can live honorable lives with respect and recognition. The hall houses local veterans’ organizations such as the Korea Vietnam Veterans Association, the Order of Military Merit Recipients, the Bereaved Families of the Fallen Soldiers Association, the Widows of the Fallen Soldiers Association, the 6·25 War Veterans Association, the Special Duty Veterans Association, the Vietnam War Veterans Association, and the Doksoori Commando Memorial Association. The hall also runs a health management room and offers a variety of programs such as health exercises and horticulture classes to enhance psychological stability and pride among veterans’ families. This year, the city has especially prepared both theoretical and practical kiosk training, which has been well received by national merit recipients who previously had difficulties using kiosks.
In addition to the Patriots and Veterans Hall, the city is providing emotional support and boosting the pride of national merit recipients through activities such as movie screenings at the Pocheon Media Center and customized cultural programs.
At the 75th anniversary ceremony of the 6·25 Korean War this year, local kindergarten children participated by presenting flowers of gratitude and reading letters, creating a meaningful occasion that brought together the war generation and future generations.
The city also collaborated with the Pocheon Cultural Tourism Foundation to host a performance titled "Pocheon Heroes: The Unsung Doksoori Commandos," honoring the noble sacrifices of local veterans.
Pocheon City has allocated a budget of 20 million won for the maintenance of memorial facilities, including the installation of headstones at the Naechon National Merit Cemetery, to honor national merit recipients until their final journey.
Pocheon Mayor Baek Younghyun is attending the 'Our Heroes Photo Exhibition' and talking with the honorees. Provided by Pocheon City
Additionally, the city is promoting a variety of initiatives to enable citizens to experience and practice the spirit of patriotism in their daily lives, such as supporting medical expenses and grave maintenance for independence patriots, providing funeral protocol assistance, organizing security field trips, and offering educational programs on the 6·25 Korean War.
Mayor Baek Younghyun emphasized, "We must remember the fallen patriots and national heroes who sacrificed and devoted themselves to the country, and I hope this spirit will be passed on to future generations. Because of the yesterdays protected by all the heroes who sacrificed for the nation, we can create a better tomorrow. We will continue to implement veterans’ policies close to people’s lives so that Pocheon City can truly become a special city for patriots and veterans, where they are respected and honored."
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