Lee pledges peaceful peninsula, makes no mention of North on Korean War anniversary

President Lee Jae Myung pledged to build a peaceful peninsula free from the fear of war, but didn’t make any direct mention of North Korea in an address marking the 76^th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War.

“The peace and prosperity we enjoy today came at a cost,” Lee said at the ceremony in Suwon, Gyeonggi. “These were secured through the noble sacrifices and devotion of our heroes, who gave everything they had and fought on the battlefield when the fate of our homeland hung by a thread.”

The ceremony was attended by some 1,000 people, including Korean War veterans and their families, government officials, military brass and diplomats from countries that participated in the war.

“The government, founded on popular sovereignty, will steadfastly protect this great Republic of Korea, built by our heroes,” Lee said, refering to South Korea by its official name. “We will build a peaceful Korean Peninsula where there are neither fears of war nor any need for conflict.”

Lee especially acknowledged the contributions of veterans who stood on the side of South Korea as a part of the UN forces.

“The freedom and peace that the Republic of Korea enjoys today spring from the sacred devotion and sacrifice of the UN Korean War veterans who willingly gave their best years for a small country in the Far East that they had never even heard of before,” Lee said, saying such “solidarity forged in blood in the trenches 76 years ago has evolved into the steadfast partnership we see today, through which we join forces to advance peace and prosperity worldwide.”

However, Lee didn’t directly mention North Korea in his address, though he invoked phrases such as the “most horrible tragedy in our nation’s history” and the “scars of war.” He also didn’t specifically refer to the U.S. military, which deployed over 1.78 million troops, the largest out of any nation, and suffered over 36,000 fatalities.

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, after North Korean troops crossed the 38^th parallel into the South. During the three-year war 22 countries contributed under the UN banner to support South Korea, of which 16 nations sent combat troops and six others sent medical assistance.

The war ended in 1953 with an armistice agreement signed by the U.S.-led UN Command, North Korea and China.

During the ceremony, Lee highlighted that South Korea has transformed from a nation that received aid from the international community to a donor country, and “bears a responsibility to repay the debt of gratitude we owe them.”

Lee pledged that the government will expand its diplomatic outreach to honor veterans abroad and invite them to the peninsula.

He stressed it is the unwavering principle of his administration to compensate those who dedicated themselves to their country and made extraordinary sacrifices, and to honor them with the dignity they deserve. Lee promised to do his utmost “to ensure that our war veterans’ sacrifices remain not just a source of personal pride but also bring them a life of greater dignity and stability.”

The government conferred national merit awards on three individuals for their contributions as nonregular forces, recognizing their distinguished service during the Korean War.

Lee also highlighted that a revision to the Act on the Honorable Treatment of War Veterans and Establishment of Related Associations took effect on May 20 to enable surviving family members of war veterans to join veterans’ organizations.

Kagnew Choir, comprised of descendants of Ethiopian Korean War veterans, performed a special rendition of "Arirang” during the ceremony. The Ethiopian Kagnew Battalion was the only African ground force unit to fight for South Korea during the war.

Lee later hosted a lunch reception for some 130 war veterans and their families to offer words of comfort and appreciation.

“It is entirely thanks to your contributions that the Republic of Korea has become a nation admired across the globe today,” Lee told the attendees.

He stressed that through international support, South Korea “grew into a nation that commands global attention thanks to those who dedicated their youth and lives during the Korean War.”

One veteran highlighted the hardships faced by veterans' association members, who have an average age of 96, the Blue House said. Many, he noted, struggle to make ends meet. 

Lee told the veterans that the Korean people “will remember your dedication and contributions,” and expressed his hope that they would “stay healthy and witness the continued growth and development of the nation for a long time to come.”

BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]