Yoon Awards Uniform to 6·25 War Veterans: "Thankful for Their Sacrifice and Dedication"

National Merit Recipients and Veterans' Families Invited to Blue House Reception Hall Luncheon
Yoon Couple Shakes Hands with Attendees One by One
Yoon: "Veterans Culture Must Be Spread"

President Yoon Suk-yeol awarded the 'Hero Uniform' to veterans of the Korean War on the 14th and expressed gratitude for their sacrifice and dedication.

On the afternoon of the same day, President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee hosted a luncheon at the Blue House State Guest House, inviting about 190 national merit recipients and families of veterans.

As the express bus carrying the attendees arrived at the State Guest House, the military band began to play, and President Yoon and First Lady Kim stood side by side, shaking hands with each attendee individually.

President Yoon presented the uniforms to Son Hee-won, president of the Korean War Veterans Association, and directors Lee Ha-young and Kim Chang-seok, saying, "This uniform embodies the government's commitment to never forget the sacrifice and dedication of our heroes." The uniforms, replacing the previously worn safari jacket style which was criticized for resembling shabby vests, were prepared by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to improve respect and image. They will be provided free of charge to veterans this year.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In his greeting, President Yoon said, "This year marks the 70th anniversary of the armistice," adding, "The remarkable prosperity and development we have achieved from the ruins of war were made possible by the blood and sweat of the patriotic spirits who defended freedom against communist invasion. Properly remembering and honoring those who built and protected our free democratic nation, and those who sacrifice for the safety of the people, the true owners and sovereigns of the country, reaffirms that we are all the owners and sovereigns of our nation."

President Yoon emphasized that honoring veterans is "the practice of the constitutional spirit that establishes popular sovereignty and liberal democracy," and stressed, "A culture of respect and honor for heroes in uniform and their families, recognized by the people, must spread." He also expressed gratitude, saying, "We thank the heroes who dedicated themselves to the freedom, peace, and prosperity of the Republic of Korea," and "You are the reason for today's Korea."

The luncheon was attended by over 170 executives and members from 18 veterans' organizations, including Korean War veterans, the Republic of Korea Disabled Veterans Association, the Republic of Korea War Veterans' Families Association, and the Republic of Korea War Widows Association, along with about 20 specially invited guests.

The specially invited guests included representatives of the families and soldiers who defended the West Sea. Among them were Colonel Lee Hee-wan and Reserve Warrant Officer Lee Hae-young, who participated in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong; Seo Young-seok, chairman of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong Veterans Association and father of the late Sergeant Seo Hu-won; and Yoon Young-min, brother of the late Major Yoon Young-ha. Also present were former Cheonan ship captain Choi Won-il, Reserve Sergeant Jeon Jun-young, Lee Seong-woo, chairman of the Cheonan ship victims' families and father of the late Corporal Lee Sang-hee; Mrs. Yoon Cheong-ja, mother of the late Staff Sergeant Min Pyeong-gi; Reserve Sergeant Choi Ju-ho of the Yeonpyeong Island shelling; and Kim Oh-bok, mother of the late Corporal Seo Jeong-woo and representative of the bereaved families.

Min-seok Choi, child of Police Superintendent Choi Gyu-sik who died defending the Blue House during the January 21 Incident in 1968 when North Korean armed infiltrators attempted to assassinate then-President Park Chung-hee, and granddaughter Hyun-jung Choi, as well as Navy Colonels Ahn Ji-young and Heo Wook, key figures in the First Battle of Yeonpyeong in 1999, were invited for the first time to a government luncheon event. Also attending were Seong Yong-mook, father of the late firefighter Seong Gong-il who died in March, and Professor Lee Jong-hyuk of Kwangwoon University, who designed and campaigned for the '121879 The Taegeukgi to be Found Until the End' project.

Among them, former Captain Choi sat right next to President Yoon, and Mrs. Yoon Cheong-ja sat next to First Lady Kim.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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