Home > National > Politics

Lee says peace on peninsula the task left by fallen heroes in West Sea Defense Day address

Published: 27 Mar. 2026, 17:48

President Lee Jae Myung delivers commemorative remarks at the 11th West Sea Defense Day ceremony at Daejeon National Cemetery on March 27. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Lee Jae Myung emphasized peace on the Korean Peninsula and support for veterans at the 11th West Sea Defense Day ceremony at Daejeon National Cemetery on Friday in a speech that made no mention of North Korea.

“Building a peaceful Korean Peninsula free from worries about war and hostility while firmly protecting our people and the territory of the Republic of Korea with strong military power is the task the heroes who defended the sea have left to us,” Lee said.

Referring to the sacrifice of the 55 service members who died defending the waters, Lee said it was now the nation’s responsibility to turn the waters they gave their lives protecting into a foundation for peace and prosperity rather than a boundary of conflict and tension.

“Peace feeds people, peace is livelihoods and peace is the best security,” he said.

The president also stressed the importance of honoring those who served and sacrificed for the country. “In the history of the Republic of Korea, there has never been a spring we enjoyed for free, nor a single moment of peace that came of its own accord,” he said. “This government, founded on popular sovereignty, will never leave you alone. We will remember you, record your sacrifice and honor you as you deserve.”

Reiterating the principle of “special compensation for special sacrifice,” Lee announced an expansion of veterans’ benefits, including living support payments for spouses of combat veterans, an increase to 2,000 contracted medical institutions for veterans nationwide by 2030 and the inclusion of mandatory military service in seniority and wage calculations in the public sector.

Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae, left, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, center, and Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok listen to President Lee Jae Myung’s commemorative remarks at the 11th West Sea Defense Day ceremony at Daejeon National Cemetery on March 27. [NEWS1]

The annual event honors those who died defending the western waters, including those killed in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan naval corvette and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island. This was Lee's first appearance since taking office, and his second official attendance after appearing last year as leader of the Democratic Party (DP).

Leaders from both the ruling and opposition camps, including DP leader Jung Chung-rae, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok and Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok, also attended.

Former conservative Rep. Yoo Seong-min noted on Facebook that there had been no mention of North Korea in the president’s speech. “He did not say who it was that caused these heroes to fall in the flower of their youth for their country,” Yoo wrote. “It is hard to understand the attitude of a commander-in-chief who seems intent on avoiding provoking North Korea.”

President Lee Jae Myung, second from left, and Kim Hea Kyung, left, pay tribute at the cemetery for those killed in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong and the shelling of Yeonpyeong ahead of the 11th West Sea Defense Day ceremony at Daejeon National Cemetery on March 27. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Before the ceremony, Lee laid flowers and paid tribute at the graves of those killed in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong and the Cheonan sinking.

The father of a staff sergeant killed in the Cheonan sinking told Lee that one of the wishes of parents of unmarried service members was to allow them to be buried together with their children after death. At present, only spouses may be buried together.

“I’ll look into it,” Lee replied. The mother of a Marine killed in the shelling of Yeonpyeong also told Lee that her family's loss was “because of the North Korean military, fundamentally...”

President Lee Jae Myung takes part in the national ceremony at a meeting of key military commanders at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on March 27. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Lee also visited the grave of a Marine corporal who died in 2023 during a search for people missing in heavy rain damage. “Still, it is a relief that many things have returned to where they belong,” Lee said, standing before the grave.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY YOON SUNG-MIN [[email protected]]