Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

President Moon attends event to commemorate West Sea Defense Day: “Sacrifice and devotion of the heroes who defended West Sea is a symbol of our patriotism”

President Moon made speech at event to commemorate the “5th anniversary of West Sea Defense Day,” the first West Sea Defense Day he has attended since his inauguration:“To achieve peace through strong defense is to repay them for their sacrifices;”
"The government has opened an era of a defense budget of 50 trillion won, and has made a leap forward to become the world's 6th largest military power" Moon promised to increase measures to reward patriots and veterans, including an additional reward policy for men of merit

On the morning of March 27, President Moon Jae-in said that "the sacrifice and devotion of the heroes who defended the West Sea is a symbol of our patriotism." Speaking at an event to commemorate the "5th West Sea Defense Day," Moon paid tribute to their great service. He clarified the government’s will to build peace through a strong defense posture.

"With patriotism, we achieved economic growth and democracy, while overcoming the colonial period and war. We overcame adversity through "solidarity and cooperation," and I believe that power came from our patriotic spirit, our love for our land, our neighbors and our history," Moon stressed during his address at the West Sea Defense Day commemoration event, which was presided over by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and held at Daejeon National Cemetery.

“The patriotism shown by these fallen heroes has built our nation's freedom and peace. Our invincible and strong defense posture has led to the international community's trust and cooperation, for the peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula," Moon assessed.

“If we fight, we must win. And if we can win without fighting, that is the path we should choose. The strongest defense is building peace, and that is the way to reward the sacrifice of these heroes,” he also noted.

“The government is working to build a strong defense and a strong peace on the basis of a strong military and an ironclad defense power. This year, the government has entered an era of a defense budget of 50 trillion won, for the first time in our history, by dramatically increasing the defense budget over the past three years, which has enabled us to make a leap forward and become the world's 6th largest military power. There has been no hostile action in the West Sea since the signing of the inter-Korean "September 19 military agreement" in 2018," Moon said.
“No military engagement has happened at the Northern Limit Line (NLL) defended by the heroes of West Sea Defense, and their junior soldiers are defending our territorial land and waters at the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, where a commemorative monument for 46 soldiers killed in the sinking of the Cheonan warship has been built, and on the coast of Yeonhwa-ri in Baekryeong Island,” he added.

Stressing the government’s will to build a lasting peace through a strong defense posture, Moon reiterated that the government would pave the way to achieving peace and prosperity together with the people who trust and support the military, while remembering the sacrifices of the heroes with a firm readiness posture.

Highlighting the nation’s constant responsibility for the loyalty and devotion of the military, Moon pledged to do his best to honor the men of merit who had sacrificed and devoted themselves to the nation.

“The government is planning an additional policy to reward men of merit who were injured in battle. We have increased the allowance for men of merit by about five times, from 16.3 billion won this year to 63.2 billion won next year, and the government will gradually raise it to 50% of the honorable allowance for war veterans,” Moon said, stressing that the sincere rewarding of patriots and veterans will be complete when the men of merit and their bereaved families feel proud and honored, and the people pride themselves on this. “Patriotism is the strongest defense and the unshakable foundation of the nation. Our patriotism will make the Republic of Korea stronger and help us grow into a more powerful nation, while opening up a new era of peace and prosperity with the international community’s cooperation,” he added.

This was the first time President Moon had attended this event since taking office. West Sea Defense Day was designated by the government in 2016 to commemorate 55 soldiers killed in inter-Korean military engagements, including the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, the sinking of the Cheonan warship, and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island. This year is its 5th anniversary.

By Joo-Hyeong, Lee < jataka@dema.mil.kr >
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