Yoon and Han Reunite at Cheonan Ship Heroes Memorial... "Must Prevent 'Incitement and Distortion' from Insulting Heroes" (Comprehensive)

9th West Sea Defense Day Ceremony
Firm Promise of Respect to National Heroes
Conflict Resolved by Criticism of Opposition Raising Cheonan Ship Conspiracy Theory
Warning of "Overwhelming Response" to North Korean Provocation... Will Protect South Korea
Yoon Also Moved to Tears by Letter from West Sea Hero's Daughter

President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the 'West Sea Defense Day' commemorative ceremony for the second consecutive year on the 22nd, emphasizing that "if North Korea carries out reckless provocations, it will surely pay a greater price."

In particular, he visited the memorial for the 46 Cheonan War Heroes together with Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, with whom he had been in conflict over controversies related to 'Hwang Sang-mu and Lee Jong-seop.' They also toured the attacked Cheonan warship, uniting in their resolve to "strongly punish the pro-North forces' rampage." This meeting between President Yoon and Chairman Han about 20 days before the general election is seen as a reconciliation of their previous conflicts.

President Yoon met with Chairman Han after the 9th West Sea Defense Day commemorative ceremony held at the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, in the afternoon. After laying flowers and paying respects, President Yoon and Chairman Han toured the hull of the Cheonan, which was attacked by North Korea. They listened to explanations from Choi Won-il, Director of the 326 National Veterans Research Institute, who was the captain of the Cheonan at the time of the attack.

Yoon and Han Meet at Cheonan War Heroes Memorial: United Voice to "Prevent Insults to Heroes through Incitement and Distortion"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon and Chairman Han did not greet each other separately during the ceremony and proceeded with their schedules. After the ceremony, President Yoon greeted all the veterans and bereaved families seated in the front row but did not greet Chairman Han, who was in the second row. However, President Yoon arrived first at the Cheonan 46 War Heroes Memorial, met Chairman Han who was waiting there, shook hands, and listened to Director Choi's explanation.

Chairman Han emphasized, "There are forces that continue to insult, fabricate, incite, and distort the heroes like this. We must definitely stop them." In response, President Yoon said, "Even though it was a clear provocation and attack, there are cases where victims are insulted through self-blame, distortion, fabrication, and incitement. Captain Choi Won-il must have suffered greatly emotionally," offering comfort. President Yoon added, "We must prevent anti-state forces from gaining a foothold and provide more comfort." Former Captain Choi expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your comfort."

The remarks made by President Yoon and Chairman Han after meeting Director Choi are interpreted as targeting some Democratic Party members who previously raised conspiracy theories such as the submarine collision theory regarding the Cheonan incident. Earlier, Park Jeong-ha, spokesperson for the Central Election Committee, criticized in a statement, "From candidate Noh Jong-myeon of Incheon Bupyeong Gap, who said 'all media writing that the Cheonan was sunk by torpedo are fake,' to candidate Park Seon-won of Incheon Bupyeong-eul, who claimed the hull defect theory, and candidate Jo Han-gi of Chungnam Seosan-Taean, who sympathized with conspiracy theories and even expressed condolences on the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, they have made statements that cast doubt on their national perspective."

Yoon: "We Will Properly Honor Our National Defense Heroes... We Will Firmly Protect the Republic of Korea"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon, following last year, emphasized at this year's West Sea Defense Day that he will surely honor the national defense heroes who protected the country and protect freedom and the safety of the people with overwhelming responses.

In his commemorative speech, President Yoon warned, "If North Korea carries out reckless provocations, it will surely pay a greater price." He also stressed, "Our military maintains an ironclad readiness posture and will respond immediately and overwhelmingly to any provocation to firmly protect the freedom of the Republic of Korea and the safety of its people."

President Yoon said in his speech, "Today, on the ninth 'West Sea Defense Day,' we have gathered here to honor the heroes who defended the West Sea with indomitable will. I bow my head in respect to the heroes who gave their lives to protect the free Republic of Korea." He explained, "This Navy 2nd Fleet Command is the main base defending our West Sea and the home port of the Chamsuri-357 and the Cheonan, which guarded the Northern Limit Line (NLL) with their lives. It is also an important base that firmly supports the security of the northwestern islands and the activities of our Marine Corps."

Regarding the new Cheonan warship docked behind him during the speech, President Yoon said, "The Cheonan, which was attacked by North Korea's surprise attack in 2010, has been reborn as a more powerful escort ship after 13 years. It has enhanced anti-submarine capabilities and is armed with cutting-edge weapons, returning to protect the Republic of Korea."

President Yoon particularly mentioned the ongoing provocations by North Korea and expressed deep concern, stating, "If North Korea thinks it can subdue us through such provocations and threats, that is a complete miscalculation. Our military maintains an ironclad readiness posture and will respond immediately and overwhelmingly to any provocation to firmly protect the freedom of the Republic of Korea and the safety of its people."

He also promised to take full responsibility and support for soldiers who were injured or killed in action while dedicating themselves to the nation and its people. President Yoon said, "We will ensure that our national defense heroes are properly honored," adding, "I hope today's 'West Sea Defense Day' becomes a precious opportunity to honor the noble spirit of the heroes and strengthen our united security resolve."

"I Will Bloom Brightly with Dad in the Warm Spring"... Yoon Also Shed Tears at Letter from West Sea Hero's Daughter

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Last year, President Yoon was the first among all presidents to shed tears for 20 seconds while calling out the names of 55 West Sea defense heroes during the roll call. This year, he shed tears while listening to Kim Haebom, daughter of the late Sergeant Kim Tae-seok, who was killed in the Cheonan attack, read a letter "To Dad." Kim, who entered university this year and was five years old at the time of the Cheonan attack, went on stage, composed herself, and said with a trembling voice, "Dad, it's already spring," before turning her head to hide her face with the script as she could not hold back her tears.

Kim said, "At my high school graduation ceremony this February, when I saw my friends taking pictures with their dads, I thought of my dad," adding, "This brilliant March spring, Haebom, my youngest daughter whose name means 'spring shining with the sun,' should be excited and warm like other freshmen, but I feel heavy and a little sad," before shedding tears. As Kim showed her tears, the audience in the ceremony hall was heard crying together. President Yoon also took out a handkerchief and wiped his tears.

Kim, who said her dream is to dance in front of many people, mentioned a photo taken with her dad during her childhood, saying, "In my blurry memories, Dad makes me smile just like in the photo," and asked, "Was that day a happy day for Dad, just like the V sign I drew?" Kim said, "Thank you, Dad, for letting me be proud of you and be remembered as someone who respects you. I will bloom brightly with you in this warm spring, so please watch over me." Sergeant Kim left behind three daughters, and the eldest daughter, Kim Haena (22), has entered the Department of Military Security Studies, aspiring to become a navy officer like her father. She will graduate through the military scholarship program and be commissioned as a navy officer. After the ceremony, President Yoon met Kim and said, "Your father left behind very beautiful daughters," and "I will always support you."

Kim Haebom, the child of the late Sergeant Kim Taeseok, who was killed in the Cheonan ship attack, is reading a "Letter to Dad" at the 9th West Sea Defense Day ceremony held on the 22nd at the Navy 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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