South Korean Prime Minister Attends Patriotic Concert with Families of Yeonpyeong Naval Battle and Cheonan Ship Incident Victims

Afternoon of the 26th, Republic of Korea National Defense Music Concert Held
70th Anniversary of the ROK-US Alliance, 75th Anniversary of the Founding
Joint Performance by the Republic of Korea Navy and US Eighth Army Military Bands

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will attend the "Republic of Korea Navy Patriotic Concert" held on the afternoon of the 26th at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul, along with 38 bereaved families of the Battle of Yeonpyeong and the Cheonan ship incident heroes. This concert was organized to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance, the 75th anniversary of the founding of the armed forces, and the 478th anniversary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin's birth.

The concert will be attended by bereaved families of the Battle of Yeonpyeong and the Cheonan ship incident, including the late Major Yoon Young-ha and the late Sergeant Hwang Do-hyun, who died in the Battle of Yeonpyeong, and the late Staff Sergeant Kim Kyung-soo and the late Private Jang Cheol-hee, who died during the Cheonan ship incident. Also present will be Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop, Navy Chief of Staff Lee Jong-ho, key military officials, military attach?s from various countries including the US Forces Korea, veterans and patriotic organizations, and about 2,400 general public attendees who made prior reservations.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attended the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 24th and delivered opening remarks. Photo by Dong-joo Yoon doso7@

The performance will be a collaboration between the Republic of Korea Navy and the US Eighth Army Band to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance. It will be an occasion to strengthen the bond and patriotic spirit between the two countries, to remember the noble sacrifices made for the Republic of Korea, and to convey the steadfast alliance and will to protect freedom through a video message by retired US Navy Colonel Royce Williams, who participated in the Korean War.

On the US side, alongside the US Eighth Army Band, key military generals and officials including Lieutenant General Willard Burleson, Commander of the US Eighth Army, and Major General Hibbard, Chief of Operations Staff at the Combined Forces Command, will attend to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance, which has evolved from a blood alliance to a value alliance.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, referring to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit to the United States, plans to emphasize the significance of the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance by stating, "At the foundation of the Republic of Korea’s development has been the steadfast Korea-US alliance, and its importance will only grow in the future.” He will also pay tribute to the sacrifices of the bereaved families and soldiers of the Battle of Yeonpyeong and the Cheonan ship incident and deliver a message of gratitude on behalf of the Republic of Korea.

Yoon Young-min (46), younger brother of the late Major Yoon Young-ha, said before attending the concert, “Time has passed, and now I am much older than my brother who died in battle,” adding, “It is desirable that the respect for those who died protecting the country be the same regardless of political views. Like in other countries, I believe the state should equally honor anyone who gave their life for the nation.” Hwang Eun-tae (77), father of Sergeant Hwang Do-hyun, said, “When I miss my son, I often visit the War Memorial, and I find comfort seeing grandmothers holding their grandchildren’s hands, looking around the Chamsuri 357 patrol boat and touching it,” explaining, “It makes me feel ‘my son has not been forgotten’ and ‘children are learning about history.’” He added, “I recently attended the West Sea Defense Day ceremony and talked with my wife about how it became an event to comfort the bereaved families,” and expressed hope that “this patriotic concert will also serve as an opportunity to ensure the Battle of Yeonpyeong is not forgotten.”

The Patriotic Concert is directed by music director Park Kal-lin, featuring performances by the Republic of Korea Navy and the US Eighth Army Band and Honor Guard, as well as the Navy Public Relations Corps, show choir Harmonize, Seoul Boys and Girls Choir, musical team Onstage, and invited singer Sohyang.

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