Presentation of the Hwarang Military Merit Medal
Honoring the Sacrifice of Kim Minhwan and Park Seonggyo After 70 Years
On August 13, Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Byungsoo) presented the Hwarang Military Merit Medal to the families of the late Sergeant Kim Minhwan and the late Sergeant Park Seonggyo, both veterans of the Korean War, at the City Hall Communication Room.
Kim Byungsoo, mayor of Gimpo City, presented the Hwarang Military Merit Medal to Park Wankyu, the bereaved family representative and nephew of the late Sergeant Kim Minhwan, on the 13th at the city hall communication room. Provided by Gimpo City
The Hwarang Military Merit Medal is a Republic of Korea military decoration awarded to individuals who have demonstrated dedication and distinguished service in combat. This ceremony was held to honor the noble sacrifice of the late Sergeant Kim Minhwan and the late Sergeant Park Seonggyo, who were killed in action during the Battle of Geumhwa in Gangwon Province in the Korean War.
Kim Byungsoo, mayor of Gimpo City, who presented the Hwarang Military Merit Medal, expressed deep gratitude and respect for the dedication of Korean War veterans, stating, "We will do our utmost to honor and uphold the spirit of those who sacrificed for our country."
Park Wankyu, the bereaved family representative and nephew of the late Sergeant Kim Minhwan, shared his thoughts, saying, "I am grateful that my uncle's sacrifice has not been forgotten and that he has finally been awarded the medal, even if belatedly. It is a great comfort to our entire family that he can now be remembered as a proud hero of our nation."
Kim Byungsoo, mayor of Gimpo City, presented the Hwarang Military Merit Medal to Park Jinwoo, the representative family member of the late Sergeant Park Seonggyo's grandson, at the City Hall Communication Room on the 13th. Provided by Gimpo City
Park Jinwoo, the bereaved family representative and grandson of the late Sergeant Park Seonggyo, added, "My grandfather's courage and sacrifice have finally become a proud part of our family's history. I am deeply moved that I can now share my grandfather's story with my son."
Meanwhile, this ceremony is part of the "Korean War Military Merit Medal Recipient Search Campaign," which aims to locate over 58,000 individuals who were designated to receive military merit medals during the Korean War but never received them. Since 2019, through collaboration between the government and local governments, more than 33,000 medal recipients have been identified as of May 2025. The campaign continues with nationwide outreach and investigations, aiming to find all of the nation's unsung patriotic heroes by 2027.
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