Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

President Moon Jae-in posted messages on government social media to commemorate the 4th West Sea Defense Day;

“We will continue to take strong countermeasures against any armed provocations... The soldiers’ sacrifices led to the sea of peace. I will engrave this in my mind,” at a ceremony commemorating the day at the national cemetery in Daejeon

To mark the fourth West Sea Defense Day on March 22nd, President Moon paid his respect to the noble spirits of the “55 soldiers who fell in defense of the West Sea” who died for the country.

President Moon posted messages on social media, including Facebook and Twitter, to commemorate the 55 soldiers who gave their lives for the defense of the West Sea and their spirit of sacrifice.

“I want to make sure the names of the young soldiers who gave their lives to protect the sea will be remembered forever. I deeply cherish the memory of our precious sons, including Lieutenant Commander Yoon Young-ha and five soldiers who died in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, 46 seamen who died in the Cheonan corvette sinking, and Sergeant Seo Jeong-woo and Private First Class Moon Gwang-wuk who died in the Shelling of Yeonpyeong. They are all proud heroes of the Republic of Korea. On my way to Daegu today, one side of my heart was bound for the West Sea. We will not forgive any armed provocations, and will take strong countermeasures against them. But if we can win without a fight, that is the way that I will choose. In every moment, I will not forget that every life matters and engrave in my mind that the sea of peace was observed from the soldiers’ sacrifices,” President Moon said in his messages.

At 10:00 AM on Friday, the 4th West Sea Defense Day ceremony to commemorate the 55 soldiers who were killed in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, the Cheonan corvette sinking and the Shelling of Yeonpyeong was held at the national cemetery in Daejeon. The government designated the fourth Friday of March as West Sea Defense Day in 2016, and a ceremony and various events have since been held to mark the day each year. 

With the theme “We will repay your sacrifices and devotion with peace and prosperity,” this year‘s ceremony was attended by about 7,000 people, including Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Pi Woo-jin, members of the National Assembly from both parties, Commander of the Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command Robert Abrams, bereaved families of the fallen and war veterans, students from schools the fallen soldiers attended, representatives from all walks of life, members of veterans groups and ordinary citizens. The ceremony began with the pledge of allegiance to the Korean flag, and this was followed by offering flowers, burning incense, paying a silent tribute, address, memorial performance and singing. 

“The West Sea is changing from the powder keg of the Korean Peninsula to a source of peace,” Prime Minister Lee said in his address. “We will aim for a “miracle of the West Sea” by reaching a robust peace. Establishing a permanent peace on the peninsula is the ultimate way to repay the sacrifice made by these fallen soldiers.”

Across the country, West Sea Defense Day ceremonies sponsored by the Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs were held in each region, and separate memorial ceremonies were also held in each of the schools that the fallen soldiers had attended. On Friday, the Seoul Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs held its West Sea Defense Day ceremony at the Peace Square of the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan. The event was attended by about 2,000 people, including the bereaved family of Petty Officer 1st Class Lee Yong-sang who died in the Cheonan sinking and members of the Cheonanham Foundation, chiefs of veterans affairs groups and the families of veterans, as well as students and members of the public. Under the supervision of the Navy Headquarters and the Cheonanham Foundation, an event to mark the 9th anniversary of the Cheonan sinking and a memorial service in the waters of Baengnyeongdo Island in the West Sea will be held on the 26th and from the 27th to the 28th, respectively.

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

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