'Military Merit Medal' Delivered After 71 Years Since the Korean War... Gyeongju City Presents to the Family of Private Gang Deok-bong

The late Private Kang Deok-bong's spouse, Park Bok-chul, receiving the Medal of Honor certificate at Gyeongju City Hall and posing for a commemorative photo with Joo Nak-young, Mayor of Gyeongju.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Private Kang Deok-bong, who distinguished himself in the battles of the Cheorwon area in Gangwon Province during the Korean War, was posthumously awarded the Hwarang Military Merit Medal 71 years after his participation, presented to his wife.

On the 9th, Gyeongju City, on behalf of the Ministry of National Defense, presented the Military Merit Medal, certificate, and commemorative plaque to the bereaved family of the late Private Kang Deok-bong. The Hwarang Military Merit Medal is awarded to those who participated in combat and achieved distinguished military accomplishments.

Recently, the Ministry of National Defense and the Army Headquarters have been conducting a "Military Merit Medal Retrieval" campaign to identify and honor those who were scheduled to receive military merit medals for their achievements during the Korean War up to 2022 but did not receive them due to urgent battlefield circumstances.

Private Kang Deok-bong, a squad member of the 9th Infantry Division, was confirmed posthumously to have earned the medal for his distinguished service in the Cheorwon area battles of Gangwon Province, but he did not receive the medal before his death in 1992 at the age of 61.

Mrs. Park Bok-chul, the late soldier’s wife, expressed her gratitude, saying, "I thank the officials who restored my late husband's honor through this medal, and I will cherish today's joy."

Mayor Joo Nak-young of Gyeongju stated, "Thanks to the sacrifices and dedication of our national heroes, we are able to enjoy peace and prosperity today," and expressed his commitment to further enhancing the honor and welfare of veterans' families.

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