Sacrifice Etched in Muchangpo Sea... Bust of Late Master Sergeant Han Sang-guk Designated as National Memorial Facility

Helmsman of Chamsuri 357 in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong
Officially Recognized as Boryeong's 10th National Memorial Site

The memorial sculpture of the late Hansang Guk Sangsa, erected by Bochang Industry at Muchangpo Beach in Boryeong, has been designated as a national memorial facility by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. / Boryeong City

The bust of the late Master Sergeant Han Sang-guk, erected on the beach at Muchangpo Beach in Ungcheon-eup, Boryeong City, Chungcheongnam-do, has been designated as a national memorial facility by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. This means that a local site of remembrance has been elevated to an officially recognized national memorial.

According to Boryeong City on January 20, Master Sergeant Han Sang-guk, a native of Muchangpo, was serving as the helmsman of the Navy patrol boat Chamsuri 357 during the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong on June 29, 2002. He was killed in action while steadfastly defending his vessel and fulfilling his duties alongside his comrades until the very end. His decision to uphold responsibility and camaraderie even in the midst of battle has since become a symbol of national defense.

The bust, which has now been designated as a memorial facility, is a sculpture produced by Bochang Industry in June 2019 and donated to Boryeong City. Each year, citizens, military personnel, and local organizations hold their own memorial ceremonies at the site to honor his sacrifice.

Boryeong City requested the designation of the memorial facility from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in June of last year, and after approximately six months of deliberation, the final designation was granted.

Kwon Hyuk-young, CEO of Bochang Industry, stated, "I hope that the noble spirit of sacrifice shown by Master Sergeant Han Sang-guk will become more widely known and remembered for a long time through this designation as a national memorial facility."

Mayor Kim Dong-il said, "All citizens must remember Master Sergeant Han Sang-guk, who devoted himself to his country at such a young age. We will actively utilize the memorial facility as a site for education and remembrance."

Memorial facilities refer to buildings, sculptures, or historic sites established to commemorate the achievements and sacrifice of those who have contributed to or sacrificed for the nation.

There were previously four memorial facilities related to the independence movement and five national defense memorial facilities designated in Boryeong City. With the designation of the bust of Master Sergeant Han Sang-guk, there are now a total of ten such sites in the city.