An event commemorating the 71st anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War is held on June 25 at Busan Cinema Center in Busan. (Yonhap News)

By Lee Jihye and Lee Jihae

An event to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the Korean War's outbreak on June 25 was held from 10 a.m. at Busan Cinema Center in Busan's Haeundae-gu District.

This is the first time for the government to hold such a ceremony in Busan since the responsibility for hosting such events was shifted in 1994 to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. The nation's largest port city was also the site of the provisional government during the war.

The center is the site of Busan Suyeong Airport, where Republic of Korea and United Nations forces boarded planes during the war.

The theme for this year's event was "Remember 1,129, a new leap." The number represents the 1,129-day duration of the conflict, starting with the outbreak on June 25, 1950, through the signing of the ceasefire agreement on July 27, 1953, as well as symbolizes hope for Korea to take another big step forward based on its power to overcome national crises.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said in his commemorative address, "We must end the still-ongoing Korean War and bring about an irreversible peace and prosperity," adding, "We will never give up a path toward the peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula."

"We will not merely remember in our hearts the heroes of the fatherland," he said. "We will strive to provide the proper treatment and support to those who were dedicated and contributed to the community."

A combined 240 people including Korean War veterans, their families and leading government figures attended the event.

Hosting the event were actor Lee Jang-woo and Asia Campbell, a personality on Korean TV who also headed the supporters group for the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee.

shaadiya1223@korea.kr