Hongcheon County to Promote Expansion and New Construction of the Late Major Kang Jaegu Memorial Park and Museum

Hongcheon County and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Conduct On-Site Inspection
"Striving to Establish a National Memorial Space"

Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province (Governor Shin Youngjae) announced on September 23 that it conducted an on-site inspection with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for the expansion and new construction of the late Major Kang Jaegu Memorial Park and Museum. The county stated its commitment to actively participate in every stage of the project, including establishing a business roadmap and securing the necessary budget.

Hongcheon County is conducting an on-site inspection on the 23rd together with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for the expansion and new construction of the Memorial Park and Museum dedicated to the late Major Kang Jaegu. Provided by Hongcheon County

This on-site inspection is a follow-up measure to Governor Shin Youngjae’s visit to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on September 10, where he held a meeting with Vice Minister Kang Yujin.

At that time, Governor Shin Youngjae emphasized, "To honor the spirit of self-sacrifice shown by Major Kang Jaegu, who gave his life for the country, it is essential to expand the scale and enhance the quality of the memorial facilities at a national level."

Last year, during the 13th Hongcheon County Soldiers’ Day, Hongcheon County also held a commemorative event for Major Kang Jaegu, widely promoting both the historical significance of establishing Soldiers’ Day and the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by the late major. This momentum has once again highlighted the need to expand the facilities at the memorial park and museum.

Going forward, Hongcheon County plans to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to implement a systematic roadmap for the project, including establishing a basic plan, securing the budget, designing and commencing construction, and ultimately completing and opening the new facilities.

The late Major Kang Jaegu, who served as the commander of the 10th Company, 1st Regiment, Tiger Division, sacrificed his life at the age of 28 in Hongcheon County during pre-deployment training for the Vietnam War. He saved his subordinates by covering a grenade that had been accidentally dropped by one of them. Hongcheon County has been operating and maintaining the memorial park to honor this noble sacrifice, and with this project, aims to develop it into a national memorial site.

Governor Shin Youngjae stated, "A space commemorating Major Kang Jaegu’s remarkable achievements and spirit of sacrifice holds great national significance," and added, "Hongcheon County will do its utmost, in cooperation with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, to ensure the expansion and new construction of the memorial museum are realized as soon as possible."