Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

President Moon Jae-in offers words of condolences to bereaved families

Posthumously promoted by one rank … buried in Daejeon National Cemetery

Measures to prevent recurrence … a memorial tower to be set up

On July 23rd, the Marine Corps held a joint funeral ceremony for the five Marines killed when the Marineon helicopter crashed during a test flight on July 17th at Dosol Hall of the Marine Corps’ First Division in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province.

Just prior to the funeral ceremony, President Moon Jae-in expressed his condolences for the five victims again through a post on his Facebook account: “Thinking of the bereaved families’ great sorrow upon losing their family member in an unfortunate accident, it breaks my heart. I pray for the repose of the soldiers and offer words of condolence and consolidation to the bereaved families.”

“We will never forget the soldiers who sacrificed themselves for the country and their unit. The government is committed to being fully responsible for the soldiers who died or were injured on duty. We will thoroughly determine the cause of the accident and take follow-up measures to make sure this kind of accident won’t happen again,” President Moon said. The President also offered words of condolences and a wish for recovery to the family of the injured First Sergeant Kim Yong-soon.

The funeral ceremony for the departed five Marines – Colonel Kim Jeong-il, Lieutenant Colonel No Dong-hwan, First Sergeant Kim Jin-hwa, Gunny Sergeant Kim Se-young, and Sergeant Park Jae-woo – was attended by about 1,000 people, including Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo, Navy Chief of Staff Shim Seung-seop, Blue House Secretary for National Defense Reform Kim Hyeon-jong, major military commanders, Marines, Army, Navy and Air Force soldiers, and civilians. Key officials from the government also attended the ceremony to pay their respects.

“I blame myself as a commander for not protecting my fellow Marines. I once again offer words of condolence to the bereaved families who have to bury their beloved fathers, husbands, and sons in their hearts,” Marine Corps Commander and the chairperson of the funeral committee Jun Jin-goo said during his eulogy. “The departed five Marines were the driving force and support for the foundation of the Marine Corps Air Wing. We will realize the dreams of these five Marines with safer, stronger wings. This is our commitment we should make to them, and the way we can keep their honor and ensure their noble sacrifice is not in vain.”

The bodies of the departed Marines were buried in Daejeon National Cemetery after passing through their base camps, including flying corps, where they had developed their spirit and ambition as Marines. The Division’s Marines were ranged along the last route traveled by the departed Marines to see them off with a military salute, showing their utmost respects.

The remains of the five Marines were buried in Daejeon National Cemetery in the afternoon. The Ministry of National Defense and Marine Corps posthumously promoted the five victims by one rank in honor of their sacrifice.

The Marine Corps announced that a memorial tower would be set up in memory of the noble sacrifice of the Marines who died on duty, stressing that it will determine the cause of the accident through a joint investigation committee with the government, military and civilian experts, and take preventive measures to ensure such an unfortunate tragic accident will not happen again.