Korean War veterans visit the Seoul National Cemetery to pay tribute to their bereaved comrades on June 5, 2015, one day ahead of Memorial Day. Every June, a variety of events are held across the country to pay tribute to the patriotic martyrs of Korea. (Korea.net DB)
By Kim Eun-young, Yoon Sojung
In Korea, June is the month where people pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Throughout the month, starting with Memorial Day on June 6, and lasting until June 25, the day in 1950 when the Korean War broke out, a variety of events will be held across Korea to honor the spirit of these patriotic martyrs.
The slogan for this year’s events is “Noble sacrifices for the nation help the Republic of Korea become one.”
Minister for Patriots and Veterans Affairs Pi Woo-jin said, “The citizens will pay tribute all across the country to the sacrifices made by the patriots and we will carry out projects to honor their patriotism in the spirit of boosting the integrity of the nation.”
In this regard, the veterans affairs ministry said that it will launch a series of large-scale events to express appreciation for the patriots and veterans at the nationwide level.
Cabinet members, high-profile government officials, and other influential figures across all social strata will host commemorative events for the patriots and veterans and their family members, as well as for patients who have been admitted to veteran hospitals and nursing homes in order to soothe their pain and deliver words of encouragement.
The ministry will also host invitational programs for non-Korean war veterans who participated in the Korean War and their descendants, inviting them to Korea. It will host special events in 21 countries for Korean War veterans and their family members.
The ministry’s main events include the 62nd anniversary of the first Memorial Day, which will take place at the Seoul National Cemetery on June 6. The 67th anniversary of the Korean War will be held at the Jamsil Arena in Seoul on June 25.
The ministry will also host a total of 63 programs, including concerts, photo exhibitions and musicals, throughout the month and across the country.
Meanwhile, according to the new government’s organizational plan unveiled on June 5, the veterans affairs ministry will be upgraded to the ministerial level, from its existing vice-ministerial level.
eykim86@korea.kr
