Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop: "We Will Ensure No Neglect in Honoring National Merit Recipients and Their Families"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced that he will ensure that the respect for national veterans and their families is not neglected.

On the 24th, according to Gwangju City, Mayor Lee held a meeting at the Gwangju Veterans Hall with Lee Eun-hyung, head of the Gwangju branch of the Disabled Veterans Association, and representatives of other veterans organizations.

This meeting was the first event of the special week (June 24?30) organized to commemorate the Month of National Defense and Veterans. During this period, opinions and suggestions from each veterans organization will be collected and reflected in veterans policies.

The meeting was attended by eight organizations including the Gwangju branch of the Disabled Veterans Association, the Gwangju branch of the Bereaved Families of Fallen Soldiers Association, the Gwangju branch of the Widows of Fallen Soldiers Association, the Gwangju branch of the Meritorious Service Association, the Gwangju branch of the Agent Orange Veterans Association, the Gwangju branch of the Special Mission Meritorious Persons Association, the Gwangju branch of the Korean War Veterans Association, and the Gwangju branch of the Vietnam War Veterans Association.

At the meeting, they proposed expanding support for welfare improvements and patriotic spirit cultivation projects for veterans, including ▲support for veterans affairs allowances for full-time executives and staff ▲expanding the scope of honorariums for veterans and patriots ▲national veterans’ funeral ceremony promotion projects.

Mayor Lee said, “The freedom, democracy, peace, and prosperity we enjoy today were made possible by the noble sacrifices of our patriotic martyrs, national heroes, and democratic activists,” adding, “We will support respectful treatment of national veterans and their families without neglect and strive to create a social atmosphere that respects and honors those who sacrificed for the country.”

Following the meeting, Mayor Lee visited the homes of Korean War veterans and their families with Lim Seong-hoon, head of the Gwangju Regional Veterans Office, to offer consolation.

He visited the home of Korean War veteran Jeong Dal-ho (93) in Maruk-dong, Seo-gu, to express gratitude and respect.

Jeong Dal-ho enlisted in 1950 at the age of 22 and served in the artillery unit of the Army’s 2nd Division. He was awarded the Hwarang Military Merit Medal in April 1952 for his valor. In 1953, during the battle in the central Hwacheon area, he sustained severe injuries from enemy shell fragments that landed in friendly positions, becoming a first-class disabled veteran, and was discharged as a sergeant in 1954.

He also visited the home of the late Major Sung Gwan-sik of the Marine Corps, a Korean War veteran, in Imaam-dong, Nam-gu, presenting the “House of a National Veteran” plaque and expressing gratitude and respect.

Major Sung was born in 1928 in Gwangju and graduated from Suwon Agricultural College, the predecessor of Seoul National University. He was commissioned as a Marine Corps second lieutenant in July 1952 and fought against a large-scale Chinese Communist force in the Jangdan-Sacheon River battle, securing a key stronghold on the Imjin River frontline.

After the Korean War, he played a leading role in establishing the Marine Corps Aviation Unit but died in an accident during flight training in September 1958 at the age of 31. He was posthumously promoted one rank and awarded the Eulji Military Merit Medal.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs selected Major Sung Gwan-sik as the “April Korean War Hero” in 2020 for his shining fighting spirit and legendary status as an invincible marine.

Mayor Lee plans to visit the Gwangju branch of the Liberation Association, the Gwangju-Jeonnam Veterans Association, and the Baekbeom Memorial Hall on the 30th to listen to their difficulties and concerns.

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