“It is thanks to your patriotism and sacrifices that it has been made possible for Korea to rise from the ashes, the ordeal and hardships caused by war, and to achieve economic growth and the development of democracy over the years.”

President Park Geun-hye thanked veterans of the Korean War (1950-53) for their sacrifices for the nation, stressing that their heroism has made the nation what it is today. Her remarks came during an event held on June 24 to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the start of the Korean War in June 1950.

“All of you gathered here today were willing to risk your lives to fight for freedom and democracy when the fate of the nation was hanging by a thread,” said the president. “I’d like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for your sacrifices. I’d also like to appreciate the delegations from U.N. member states that participated in the war for showing their unwavering support and friendship under a solid alliance that has lasted for 60 years.”



President Park continued to say that, “The people should remember those who dedicated their lives to serving the nation and their patriotism as the legacy of history. They should pay their respects to the heroes from the bottom of their hearts. This is the foundation of national development, I believe.” She then enumerated some of the veterans in attendance, including students who volunteered to head to the battlefield, the 642 young residents in Japan who flew to Korea to fight for the nation and chief of the Women’s Army Corps from the Korean War Veterans' Association Ahn Sang-jeong who served as a nurse officer during both the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

“Since last year, the government has carried out a project to find and register those who are not enlisted as war veterans. Under the project, we offer to the war heroes compensation and respectable treatment. We will never stop until the day when we can identify the last remaining hero,” she vowed.

“Now is the time for Korea to continue with the success we’ve achieved since the war. We should work to revive the economy and to increase innovation across the nation, based on the absolute foundation of national security, which is surely a difficult task for us. I call on all of you to join forces to help the nation write another successful story once again,” she said, wrapping up her speech.

By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
jiae5853@korea.kr