By Kim Hyelin and Lee Jihae
President Moon Jae-in on Nov. 11 said on the occasion of the inaugural International Memorial Day for UN Korean War Veterans, "We remember the pride and honor of war veterans who fought for freedom and peace."
The government designated the day this year as a legal day of commemoration.
On his Facebook account, the president said, "The more we reflect on their spirit of dignity, the more we are humbled by their solemn sacrifice," adding, "I pay tribute to those who dedicated themselves to freedom and peace, and pray for the souls of those who sacrificed their own lives."
"My deepest thoughts are with the wounded veterans living with chronic pain and the bereaved families who lost their loved ones and have endured longing ever since."
On the same day, Busan Metropolitan City and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs jointly held "Turn Toward Busan," an international memorial ceremony for veterans of the war from U.N. member countries, at 11 a.m. at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan's Nam-gu District.
People around the world simultaneously pay tribute in the cemetery's direction during the ceremony, which Busan has hosted every Nov. 11 since 2007. The event originated from a suggestion made by a Canadian veteran of the war.
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the war's outbreak, the government this year enacted a law on honoring war veterans from U.N. member countries. Nov. 11 was designated International Memorial Day for UN Korean War Veterans, as the memorial ceremony is held in Busan every year.
kimhyelin211@korea.kr