Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

In congratulatory address at the gratitude event for nations that participated in the Korean War Minister Lee highlights ROK government’s will to ‘maintain freedom, peace and prosperity’ on the Korean Peninsula, saying that the ROK will forever remember the great contributions of UN troops

In congratulatory address at the gratitude event for nations that participated in the Korean War Minister Lee highlights ROK government’s will to ‘maintain freedom, peace and prosperity’ on the Korean Peninsula, saying that the ROK will forever remember the great contributions of UN troops

On June 17, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup highlighted “the government’s will to maintain the freedom, peace, and prosperity of the Republic of Korea (ROK), which we were only able to achieve by virtue of the sacrifices of war veterans based on strong power; reminding us of the saying ‘freedom is not free.’”

Lee made the statement at the ‘gratitude event for nations that participated in the Korean War’ held at the War Memorial of Korea and Army Club in Yongsan, Seoul, and hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) on the occasion of the memorial month.

Lee gave his assessment of the current situation at the event, saying that “North Korea is threatening peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community by advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities.” Looking to the future, Lee added, “The ROK armed forces will expand defense cooperation with allies to denuclearize North Korea and establish a sustainable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. I think this is a genuine reward for the sacrifices and devotions of war veterans.”

Lee also expressed his gratitude to war veterans from 22 nations, including 16 nations that deployed combat forces and six nations that provided medical aid, and to the UN veterans who did not hesitate to come and provide help to the ROK when the fate of the ROK was at risk.

“Approximately 1,958,000 veterans fought and gave their lives for a ‘nation which they had never heard of and its people whom they had no knowledge of.’ The veterans who are still alive are proud of the ROK and consider it their ‘second homeland,’ and are pulling for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” Lee said. “Having been devastated after the Korean War, the ROK has become one of the top ten nations in the world and developed from a nation assisted by the international community to a nation which provides assistance to other nations. The ROK only achieved this splendid development by virtue of the sublime sacrifices and devotions of these war veterans,” Lee added, stressing that the ROK will forever remember the great contributions made by UN troops.

On behalf of the ROK’s private business community, the FKI has held a gratitude event during the memorial month for four years. Ambassadors and military officers from 22 participating nations were invited to this year’s event. The event began with an offering of flowers to the United Nations monument, which was followed by paying a silent tribute and a luncheon.

“Having strived for nation building to repay for the sacrifices of nations that participated in the Korean War, the ROK has now achieved a dynamic economy, a vibrant democracy, and a culture that attracts the attention of the world. This is our best gratitude to nations that participated in the Korean War,” FKI’s chairperson Huh Chang-soo said. “Cooperation between nations which share the values of security and a free economy is urgently needed, just as the ROK and 22 nations that participated in the Korean War defended the values of freedom and democracy on the Korean Peninsula about 70 years ago,” Huh added, expressing his hope for the end of the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the FKI has continued to push forward a gratitude project at the level of the business community to express gratitude; inviting war veterans from nations that participated in the Korean War to an economic cooperation committee and presenting them with appreciation plaques.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >

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