President Lee Invites 160 Merit Recipients to the State Guest House
"We Have Been Excessively Neglectful of Those Who Sacrificed for the Nation"
On the 27th, President Lee Jae Myung met with 160 national merit recipients and their families, expressed his gratitude, and promised to enhance the levels of compensation and recognition for them.
President Lee Jae Myung and First Lady Kim Hye Kyung are saluting the national flag at the "Month of Patriots and Veterans, Presidential Invitation" event held at the Blue House State Guesthouse on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News
On this day, President Lee invited about 160 national merit recipients and their families to the Blue House State Guest House and held the "Month of Patriots and Veterans, President's Invitation" event. The event was attended by members of veterans' organizations consisting of merit recipients and bereaved families, as well as special invitees.
President Lee stated, "Today is a meaningful occasion where the modern history of Korea, marked by challenges and responses, is gathered together in the name of patriotism," and added, "The Republic of Korea of today exists thanks to the independence movement under Japanese rule, the Korean War, the 4·19 Revolution, the Vietnam War, the 5·18 Democratization Movement, and the history of defending the West Sea."
He continued, "At every turning point in modern history, it was you who willingly devoted your youth, and because of you and your families, our people are able to live comfortably, dreaming of the future in freedom and peace," expressing his gratitude.
President Lee Jae Myung is delivering a greeting at the "Month of Patriots and Veterans, President's Invitation" event held on the 27th at the Blue House State Guest House. The event was attended by national merit recipients and their families, heads of veterans organizations, and special invitees. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee went on to say, "Unfortunately, the modern history of our Republic of Korea has been excessively neglectful of those who sacrificed everything for the members of the nation," and pointed out, "There is a saying that is heard far too often: 'If you join the independence movement, three generations will be ruined; if you collaborate with the Japanese, three generations will prosper.' Such words should never be heard."
President Lee announced that he would expand recognition for national merit recipients and their families. He said, "We will take necessary measures to provide special attention, compensation, and recognition," and pledged, "I promise to do my utmost so that none of you feel alienated or disappointed."
On this day, President Lee, together with First Lady Kim Hye Kyung, personally greeted the attendees and showed his respect. The participants entered to the formation of the traditional honor guard of the armed forces and a performance by a traditional music band. President Lee took the stage, bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle, and personally introduced some of the attendees.
President Lee Jae Myung is presenting a plain cotton blanket to special invitee Chunja Lee at the "Month of National Defense and Veterans, President's Invitation" event held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News
Among those present at the event were Chunja Lee, a veteran who served as a female guerrilla fighter during the Korean War; Park Younghyun, the great-granddaughter of the late Park Docheol, who died during the Jincheon Independence Movement in April 1919; and actor Shin Hyunjun, the son of the late Colonel Shin Inkyun, a Korean War veteran.
Also invited were bereaved families of those who died defending the West Sea and service members who served at that time. Among them were Seo Youngseok, president of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong Bereaved Families Association; Lee Sungwoo, president of the Cheonanham 46 Warriors Bereaved Families Association; Kim Obok, chairperson of the Veterans Review Board and mother of the late Sergeant Seo Jungwoo, who was killed in the Yeonpyeong Island artillery battle; and Choi Wonil, director of the 326 National Defense and Veterans Research Institute and the captain of the Cheonan warship at the time of the attack.
Among those who participated in the democratization movements were Pastor Lee Hae Hak, who took part in the 4·19 Revolution; Yoon Junghui, the younger sister of the late martyr Yoon Sangwon, the real-life inspiration for "March for the Beloved"; and Kim Gilja, mother of the late martyr Moon Jae Hak, the model for the novel "The Boy Is Coming."
President Lee Jae Myung and First Lady Kim Hye Kyung are attending the "Month of National Defense and Veterans, President's Invitation" event held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News
In addition, Captain Kim Chan Hwi of the Air Force, son of the late Sergeant Kim Hak Jae who died in the line of duty while apprehending a robbery and rape suspect; Fire Captain Lee Ho Geun, whose grandfather was an independence activist and whose father was a Korean War veteran; and Inspector Lee Eun Jeong, who is serving as a police officer following in the footsteps of her grandfather and father, both of whom served as police officers and were killed in action during the Korean War, were also invited.
At the luncheon, nourishing dishes such as chilled abalone with red crab meat, steamed short ribs with pine mushrooms, and tangpyeongchae, symbolizing harmony, were served.
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