My fellow Koreans, distinguished Korean War veterans and bereaved families, members of the diplomatic corps of United Nations Sending States whose forces shed blood alongside us in defense of the Republic of Korea,

As we mark the 76th anniversary of the Korean War, I extend my deepest respect and gratitude, on behalf of the Korean people, to all of our honored veterans.

I also extend my heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families, who have endured many long years of deep longing and sorrow.

We have gathered here today to honor the heroes who defended the Republic of Korea and protected its people during the Korean War – the most horrible tragedy in our nation’s history.

The peace and prosperity we enjoy today came at a cost. These were secured through the noble sacrifices and devotion of our heroes, who gave everything they had and fought on the battlefield when the fate of our homeland hung by a thread.

Because of the devastating war that broke out on this day seventy-six years ago, countless citizens lost their beloved family members and were forced to flee the homes and communities where they had lived their entire lives.

Peaceful daily life was brutally trampled on, and the Republic of Korea’s very survival hung in the balance.

Yet we never wavered in our resolve to defend our homeland. Regular soldiers were joined by students, who laid down their pens and took up rifles as volunteer troops. Ordinary citizens who had never fired a gun threw themselves into a hail of bullets, determined to safeguard this country and their families.

Remembering and honoring these heroes is one of the foremost responsibilities of our nation and community, as well as the solemn duty of all of us who now enjoy lives of freedom, prosperity and peace.

It is an unwavering principle of this government, founded on popular sovereignty, that those who dedicate themselves to their country and make extraordinary sacrifices for it must receive extraordinary compensation, as well as the honor and respect they deserve.

We will do our utmost to ensure that our war veterans’ sacrifices remain not just a source of personal pride but also bring them a life of greater dignity and stability.

Today, the government conferred awards on three members of the nonregular forces whose distinguished service during the Korean War was not fully recognized for far too long. 

I would like to pay a heartfelt tribute to these war veterans who have finally received the honor they deserve, albeit belatedly, and offer my deepest condolences to their bereaved families. Please join me in giving them a round of applause.

Moreover, a revision to the Act on the Honorable Treatment of War Veterans and Establishment of Related Associations took effect on May 20, allowing surviving family members of war veterans to join veterans’ organizations.

We will continue to strengthen institutional support to ensure that a spirit of dedication to the nation does not fade away after one generation, but is proudly passed on to future generations. 

We must also never forget the UN Korean War veterans.

The freedom and peace that the Republic of Korea enjoys today spring from the sacred devotion and sacrifice of the UN Korean War veterans who willingly gave their best years and their lives for a small country in the Far East that they had never even heard of before.

Our solidarity forged in blood in the trenches seventy-six years ago has evolved into the steadfast partnership we see today, through which we join forces to advance peace and prosperity worldwide.

Having transformed from a nation that received aid from the international community to an aid donor after overcoming the scars of war, the Republic of Korea bears a responsibility to repay the debt of gratitude we owe them.

The government will further expand its diplomatic outreach to honor veterans abroad, for instance, by inviting UN Korean War veterans to Korea. We will strive even more to ensure that the spirit of solidarity that blossomed in the trenches lives on among younger generations.

Fellow Koreans,

Seventy-six years ago, today, our heroes refused to surrender this land, even when the bullets rained down. 

They willingly gave their lives, dreaming of a nation free from war. The peaceful days we now enjoy are the future that they so fiercely desired.

The government, founded on popular sovereignty, will steadfastly protect this great Republic of Korea, built by our heroes.

We will safeguard our people and territory through strong national defense capability. We will build a peaceful Korean Peninsula where there are neither fears of war nor any need for conflict.

I believe that this is the best way to repay the heroes who sacrificed their lives and youth to defend this country.

To mark the 76th anniversary of the Korean War, I once again extend my deepest respect and gratitude to our war veterans and fallen heroes.

Thank you.