Gyeongbuk Province Sets Up Condolence Altars at Two Memorial Halls in Chilgok and Waegwan for General Baek Seon-yeop's Mourning Ceremony

Operation of Memorial Altars at Chilgok Dabudong Battle Memorial Hall and Waegwan District Battle Memorial Hall until the 14th

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongsangbuk-do announced on the 12th that it has set up memorial altars for retired Army General Baek Seon-yeop, who passed away at the age of 100 on the 10th, at two locations: the Chilgok Dabudong Battle Memorial Hall and the Waegwan District Battle Memorial Hall.

On the morning of the 12th, Governor Lee Cheol-woo held a joint memorial service at the Dabudong Battle Memorial Hall in Chilgok along with Go Woo-hyun, Chairman of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Council, Lim Jong-sik, Superintendent of Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education, National Assembly member Jeong Hee-yong, and heads of provincial veterans' organizations. The governor also visited the funeral hall at Seoul Asan Hospital, where General Baek’s wake was held, the previous day to pay his respects and console the bereaved family.

Born in 1920 in Gangseo, South Pyongan Province, the late General Baek Seon-yeop graduated from Pyongyang Normal School and the Military English School. During the Korean War, he commanded the Republic of Korea Army’s 1st Division in the fiercely contested Dabudong Battle on the Nakdong River front, successfully repelling persistent attacks by three North Korean divisions and leading his forces to victory.

He was the first to lead his troops into Pyongyang upon its recapture, attended the Korean delegation at the armistice talks, and after his military service, served as ambassador to China, France, and Canada, as well as Minister of Transportation, leaving an indelible mark on modern Korean history.

In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Thai Order of Military Merit twice during his lifetime, as well as the Eulji, Chungmu, the U.S. Silver Star, and Canadian military honors, earning respect as a hero who defended freedom and democracy not only in South Korea but worldwide.

At the memorial altar on the 12th, Governor Lee Cheol-woo said, "General Baek Seon-yeop was a true hero who fearlessly led battles at the forefront of the battlefield and earned the deep respect of his troops," adding, "We will honor him with utmost respect together with the 3 million residents of Gyeongsangbuk-do to ensure nothing is neglected on his final journey."

Meanwhile, the memorial altars for General Baek Seon-yeop, set up in the outdoor parking lot in front of the Dabudong Battle Memorial Hall in Chilgok and the seminar room of the Waegwan District Battle Memorial Hall, will be open until the 14th. Visitors can pay their respects from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during this period.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.