Met with 160 Merit Recipients, Expressed Gratitude and Promised Enhanced Compensation and Recognition
Lee Jongchan, President of the Liberation Association, Requests Establishment of Veterans Affairs Secretary in Presidential Office
President Lee Personally Calls Out Key Attendees to Convey Thanks
On June 27, President Lee Jaemyung met with 160 national merit recipients and their families, expressed his gratitude, and promised to enhance the level of compensation and recognition for them. President Lee personally called out the names of key attendees and conveyed his thanks on behalf of the nation. The event was attended by executives and members of veterans' organizations, including former Cheonan warship captain Choi Wonil, families of the Cheonan sinking and the Yeonpyeong naval battle, and families of democratization movement activists.
On this day, President Lee invited over 160 national merit recipients and their families to the Blue House guesthouse for the event titled "Month of Patriots and Veterans, the President's Invitation." Members of veterans' organizations composed of national merit recipients and bereaved families, as well as specially invited guests, attended the event.
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, "It is through 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 that today's Republic of Korea exists."
He continued, "Thanks to those of you who willingly dedicated your youth at every critical juncture in modern history, and to your families, our people are able to live comfortably, dreaming of the future in freedom and peace," expressing his gratitude.
President Lee also pointed out, "Unfortunately, in the modern history of Korea, those who sacrificed everything for the members of the nation have been excessively neglected," and emphasized, "There is a saying often heard, that 'three generations of independence activists are ruined, while three generations of pro-Japanese collaborators prosper.' Such stories should never be heard."
President Lee announced his intention to expand recognition and benefits for national merit recipients and their families. He declared, "We will take special measures to provide the necessary attention, compensation, and recognition," and pledged, "I promise to do my utmost so that none of you feel neglected or disappointed."
At the event, Lee Jongchan, President of the Liberation Association, requested the establishment of a Veterans Affairs Secretary in the Presidential Office. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yujeong stated in a briefing, "President Lee Jongchan recalled that the President mentioned national unity in his inaugural address, and emphasized that, when crossing the bridge of national unity out of the swamp of conflict, veterans affairs is most essential," adding, "He requested the establishment of a Veterans Affairs Secretary in the Presidential Office." Pastor Lee Hae-hak, who led the democratization movement, asked for more active efforts to recover the remains of Ahn Jung-geun and Korean War veterans.
In response to a question about whether inviting many West Sea veterans to the luncheon signaled a resolution of past tensions, spokesperson Kang explained, "The most important thing at a Presidential Office event is the signal or direction it gives. For the Lee Jaemyung administration, that is integration," adding, "Past issues are past issues, but the government's main direction is to look toward a common future, and veterans affairs is an area that cannot be divided." She continued, "The recent nomination of Kwon Oeul as Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs should also be seen as a signal and a reflection of this philosophy."
On this day, President Lee, together with First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, personally greeted attendees and showed respect. Participants entered to the accompaniment of a traditional military honor guard and traditional music ensemble. President Lee bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle from the podium and personally introduced some of the attendees. Among those present were Lee Chunja, a female guerrilla who fought in 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, son of the late Colonel Shin Inkyun, a Korean War veteran.
Families of those who died defending the West Sea, as well as soldiers who served at the time, were also invited. Attendees included Seo Youngseok, president of the Second Yeonpyeong Naval Battle Bereaved Families Association; Lee Sungwoo, president of the Cheonan 46 Heroes Bereaved Families Association; Kim Obok, chairperson of the Veterans Review Committee and mother of the late Sergeant Seo Jungwoo, who died in the Yeonpyeong Island artillery attack; and Choi Wonil, director of the 326 National Patriots and Veterans Research Institute and captain of the Cheonan at the time of the attack.
Among those who participated in the democratization movement were Pastor Lee Hae-hak, who took part in the 4·19 Revolution; Yoon Junghui, younger sister of the late Yoon Sangwon, the real-life inspiration for "March for the Beloved"; and Kim Gilja, mother of the late Moon Jaehak, the model for the novel "The Boy is Coming." Also invited were Air Force Captain Kim Chan-hwi, son of the late Sergeant Kim Hakjae, who died in the line of duty while apprehending a suspect in a violent crime; Fire Captain Lee Hogeun, whose grandfather was an independence activist and whose father was a Korean War veteran; and Police Inspector Lee Eunjung, who, following her grandfather and father who both served and died as police officers in the Korean War, is herself serving in the police force.
The luncheon featured health-promoting dishes such as chilled abalone with red crab meat and steamed short ribs with pine mushrooms, as well as tangpyeongchae, a dish symbolizing harmony.
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