Pohang City Holds 68th Memorial Ceremony for Student Volunteer Soldiers... Honoring the Sacrifice of Patriots

Special Merit Plaques Presented to Surviving Student Volunteer Soldiers, Honoring Their Noble Sacrifice

Mayor Lee Kangduk: "We Will Strengthen Veterans' Welfare to Ensure National Heroes Receive Respect and Honor"

Pohang City held the 68th Memorial Ceremony for the Fallen Student Volunteer Soldiers on the 11th at the Student Volunteer Soldiers Victory Memorial Hall in Yongheung-dong, Buk-gu.

On the 11th, Pohang City held the "68th Memorial Ceremony for Fallen Student Volunteer Soldiers" at the Student Volunteer Soldiers Victory Memorial Hall located in Yongheung-dong, Buk-gu.

The event was solemnly conducted with the attendance of about 150 people, including Pohang Mayor Lee Kangdeok, Pohang City Council Chairman Kim Ilman, National Assembly member Kim Jeongjae, surviving members of the Student Volunteer Soldiers and their families, heads of veterans' organizations, city and provincial council members, and heads of institutions and organizations.

This year, prior to the memorial ceremony, a special award ceremony was held for eight surviving Student Volunteer Soldier heroes, representing the respect and gratitude of all citizens for their dedication in defending the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea as students during the Korean War.

Additionally, a surviving member of the Student Volunteer Soldiers who attended the event read a tribute, sharing stories of their participation in battles such as the Pohang District Battle as students and expressing longing for their fallen comrades.

Furthermore, during the event, a student from Pohang Steel High School read a letter found in the pocket of student Lee Woogeun, who was killed in action during the Pohang Girls' Middle School Battle, moving the Student Volunteer Soldiers, their families, and other attendees to tears.

Mayor Lee Kangdeok said, "We deeply engrave in our hearts the noble sacrifice and dedication of our forebears who willingly gave their lives for the nation as students, and I hope this occasion will foster patriotism by carrying on their noble will. We will continue to strengthen veterans' welfare so that the Student Volunteer Soldiers and national patriots receive the honor and respect they deserve."

Lee Gangdeok, mayor of Pohang, delivering a memorial address.

The Memorial Ceremony for the Fallen Student Volunteer Soldiers, held annually on August 11, commemorates the spirits of 1,394 individuals who died in the Pohang District battles, including 48 students who perished in the Pohang Girls' Middle School (now Pohang Girls' High School) battle after a surprise attack by North Korean forces at dawn on August 11, 1950, as well as those who fell in the Gigye-Angang, Hyeongsan River, and Cheonmasan battles.

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