Songpa-gu Remembers Your Dedication... Rewarding National Merit Recipients with the Highest Honors

First Directives After Inauguration: ▲Significant Increase in Veterans' Allowances ▲Establishment of 6.25 War Veterans' Consolation Fund
From May This Year, ▲Funeral Support for National Merit Recipients... Full Commitment to Caring for National Merit Recipients
Expansion of National Veterans to 6,600 in 2024, Highest in Seoul Districts

Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) is putting all its efforts into enhancing the welfare of national veterans, including the expansion of support for national veterans.

"I still sleep only on my left side because the shrapnel from a grenade I was hit with in battle remains on my right cheek. Most surviving veterans are over 90 years old and have no income, but thanks to the various veterans' benefits in Songpa recently, I have fewer worries about my old age."

Veteran Kwon Jung-seop (92), who fought in the Korean War, expressed his gratitude, saying, "I am thankful that Songpa-gu, where I settled after discharge, remembers veterans and makes efforts to care for us by raising veterans' allowances and introducing consolation payments."

Since the beginning of the 8th local government term, Songpa-gu has prioritized respect and consideration for those who have dedicated and sacrificed for the country, carrying out various support projects for national veterans.

Songpa-gu is home to 8,076 veterans' families, including descendants of independence activists and war veterans, the largest number among Seoul's autonomous districts. Given the high number of elderly veterans, the focus is on welfare necessary for their later years.

In October 2022, the veterans' (respect) allowance was significantly increased from 50,000 KRW to 100,000 KRW per month, the highest level among autonomous districts. In particular, the ordinance was revised to allow overlapping support even if recipients receive Seoul city veterans' allowances. As a result, the number of beneficiaries increased significantly from about 3,010 to 6,000. In 2024, the number of national veterans in Songpa-gu is expected to reach 6,600.

Additionally, the 'Korean War Veteran Consolation Payment System' was newly established, providing an annual payment of 300,000 KRW once a year on June 25 to Korean War veterans who have lived in Songpa-gu for more than one year as of that date.

This year, the 'National Veterans Funeral Support Project' will be newly implemented to repay the dedication of national veterans and provide the highest respect until the end of their lives.

The district partially amended the Seoul Special City Songpa-gu Ordinance on Respect and Support for National Veterans and will implement the 'National Veterans Funeral Support Project' starting May 29. It plans to support the bereaved families of national veterans residing in Songpa-gu who have passed away with funeral directors and funeral supplies.

Furthermore, every June, to commemorate the Month of National Defense and Veterans, the district holds a veterans' family festival and supports Korean War commemoration events, promoting various memorial events honoring the noble sacrifices of patriotic martyrs.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, "We will implement veterans' policies that offer appropriate respect with deep gratitude to those who have dedicated themselves to the nation and society. Through expanded support for national veterans, we aim to practice veterans' respect in daily life and hope to establish a culture that honors and cares for national veterans."

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