President Yoon Suk Yeol on June 14 receives a salute from an attendee of a luncheon he hosted for veterans, people of national merit and their families at Yeongbingwan, the state guesthouse of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.

By Lee Kyoung Mi
Photos = Office of the President

President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee on June 14 invited about 190 veterans, people of national merit and their relatives to a luncheon at Yeongbingwan, the state guesthouse of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.

In a news release, presidential spokesperson Lee Do Woon said the attendees included those who fought in the Korean War, the first and second battles of Yeonpyeongdo Island, artillery attack on the island and sinking of the naval corvette ROKS Cheonan. 

Seong Yong-muk, father of Seong Kong-il, a firefighter who died in a rescue mission in March, and leaders and exemplary members from 18 veterans associations were also on hand.

At the luncheon, the president said, "We were able to overcome the ruins of war and achieve remarkable prosperity and development thanks to the blood and sweat of our fatherland's heroes who protected freedom against communist aggression." 

"Properly remembering and honoring those who built and protected our liberal democracy and sacrificed their lives for the safety of the country's owners -- the people -- confirm that we are all the owners and sovereigns of the country," he added. "We must spread a veterans culture starting with the people by honoring and respecting our heroes in uniform and their families."

President Yoon concluded his speech by again thanking the attendees, saying, "All of you are heroes who made today's free Republic of Korea."

During the luncheon, the veterans received a "hero's uniform" made by the Yoon administration under the project Veterans in Uniforms to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement of the Korean War. All veterans of the conflict will receive the souvenir-type uniform free as a token of respect and symbolism befitting their sacrifice and devotion. 

"This uniform contains the pledge of the government and people to never forget the sacrifice and devotion of these heroes," the president said in thanking the veterans.

The presidential couple stood at the entrance of Yeongbingwan to shake each invitee's hand, spokesperson Lee said, with the veterans expressing their gratitude with loud shouts of "chungseong (allegiance)" and "pilseung (must win)."

President Yoon Suk Yeol (center) and first lady Kim Keon Hee on June 14 salute the national flag at a luncheon for veterans, people of national merit and their families at Yeongbingwan, the state guesthouse of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.