South Korea: Lee says paying full respects to those killed in service an important 'social duty'
Seoul, June 6
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Saturday honoring and paying due respects to those killed while serving the country is a social duty the nation should uphold.
Lee made the remarks in a speech at a Memorial Day ceremony, a national holiday commemorating those who sacrificed themselves while serving the country, including those who fought for independence from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea.
Saturday's ceremony at Seoul National Cemetery was attended by 3,000 uniformed service members, government officials, national merit recipients and their families.
Among the attendees were the family members of a 34-year-old Coast Guard officer who was killed last year while trying to rescue a person from a tidal flat, as well as the families of two service members killed in an Army helicopter crash in February.
"Commemorating the spirit of the patriots and paying them full respect is a social duty that we should faithfully uphold," the president said.
The president highlighted the enactment next year of a law expanding benefits for the families of independence fighters, saying the government is also faithfully fulfilling its promise to provide financial support to the spouses of war veterans.
The president also reaffirmed his commitment to expanding the network of veterans hospitals into remote areas, including Gangwon Province and Jeju Island.
"Respect for devotion is the driving force that sustains and advances the national community," Lee said, adding the government "will not fail to reward such noble devotion."
The president emphasised that punishing those who betrayed the community is also an important duty, saying that honoring devotion and punishing betrayal are essential for a nation to advance sustainably and achieve genuine unity, Yonhap news agency reported.
Through a newly promulgated law, the government will investigate and forfeit illegally accumulated assets of pro-Japan collaborators from the colonial era in order to set a precedent and prevent a recurrence, the president noted.
Lee also pledged sufficient government support for uniformed service members, including soldiers, firefighters, police officers and Coast Guard personnel, while promising to improve the assistance system for those wounded during military service.
"Today, we are once again facing a wave of crises," the president said, citing the economic repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East.
"But I am confident that we will be able to sufficiently overcome any crisis, as we have always had the potential to unite as one whenever we have faced a national crisis."
— IANS
Reader Comments
In India too, we have a lot to learn from South Korea's approach. The focus on providing financial support to families of veterans and expanding hospitals in remote areas is something we badly need. Our soldiers from border areas often lack proper medical facilities. This is inspiring.
I appreciate the president's strong stand against pro-Japan collaborators of the colonial era. It's similar to how we in India must never forget the sacrifices of our freedom fighters against British rule. Punishing betrayal is as important as honoring devotion. We need to teach history honestly! 🙌
It's good that they are honoring the Coast Guard officer who died while saving someone from a tidal flat — that is real bravery! But I wish our own political leaders in India would also take such strong stances on commemorating our paramilitary and police martyrs, who are often forgotten in the name of ceremony.
As a history enthusiast, I find the mention of investigating and forfeiting illegally accumulated assets of pro-Japan collaborators very interesting. India had similar debates after independence about loyalists. It shows how nations must deal with their difficult pasts to move forward. Respect to South Korea for this.
The president's confidence in overcoming crises by uniting as one is a powerful message. In India too, we face many challenges like economic issues and border tensions. If we can learn anything from South Korea, it's the spirit of national unity. Let's hope our leaders also prioritize honoring our true heroes. 😊
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