Gwanak District Presents Medal of Honor to Veterans’ Families After 70 Years

Veterans’ Honor Allowance Raised to 80,000 Won Per Month

Gwanak District in Seoul (Mayor Park Junhee) is significantly strengthening its honors and support for national merit recipients. On January 16, the district held the "Korean War Medal of Honor Handover Ceremony" and presented medals to the families of the fallen, as announced on January 20. The ceremony was part of the Ministry of National Defense and Army Headquarters’ "Korean War Medal of Honor Recovery Project."

Family members of the fallen who participated in the June 25 Medal of Honor Award Ceremony and Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak District (second from the left). Provided by Gwanak District.

The Hwarang Medal of Honor, presented this time, was delivered to the family of the late Yang, a national merit recipient, more than 70 years after the war. Yang served as an enlisted soldier during the Korean War and was selected for two medals of honor, but due to the urgent circumstances of the war, he returned to civilian life without receiving them and later passed away. Mayor Park Junhee personally handed the medal to the bereaved family, expressing deep condolences and respect for the deceased's noble sacrifice.

This year, the district has allocated approximately 260 million won, a 3.4% increase from last year, to expand compensation for national merit recipients and to revitalize veterans’ organizations.

The veterans’ honor allowance, paid to more than 4,000 national merit recipients and their primary surviving family members, will be increased from 70,000 won to 80,000 won per month. In addition, each veterans’ organization in the district will receive an extra 1 million won in operating funds.

Mayor Park Junhee stated, "It is the duty of public officials to remember and honor the noble sacrifices of the heroes who made today’s Republic of Korea possible. We will continue to promote veterans’ administration that enhances the quality of life for national merit recipients and their families, including projects like the handover of medals of honor and increases in veterans’ allowances."