Gyeonggi Province Selects 15 Model Military Service Exemplary Families, Including Descendants of Student Soldiers
Gyeonggi Province has selected 15 families, including descendants of student soldiers who participated in the Korean War, as ‘2026 Gyeonggi Province Model Military Service Exemplary Families.’
The discovery of model military service exemplary families was established to honor families who have faithfully fulfilled military service across generations and whose exceptional military service records and contributions to the local community serve as examples for provincial residents.
Gyeonggi Province explained that among 2,580 military service exemplary families in the province, it selected a final 15 families from 82 families that applied for this model military service exemplary family initiative, after undergoing deliberation by a selection committee.
The Kim Jae-joo family is a representative example: In the 1st generation, Kim Gab-sin served as a student soldier during the Korean War. In the 2nd generation, Kim Jae-joo served in the Marine Corps for over 30 years, was recognized as a national patriotic veteran, and received medals including the Order of National Dedication. Subsequently, the 3rd generation members Kim Min-ho, Kim Seon-ho, and Kim Gyeong-ho all volunteered for the Marine Corps, fulfilling their military obligations faithfully across three generations.
The Lee Ju-sang family received high praise for being descendants of independence activist Seokju Lee Sang-ryong and for passing down the spirit of independence activism and dedication to the nation across generations, including family members who died in action during the Korean War.
In the 1st generation, Lee Gyeong-dae served in the Army. In the 2nd generation, Lee Seok-jae, Lee Seok-hun, and Lee Seok-jin respectively served in the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division (Tiger Force), Special Warfare Command, and Auxiliary Police. In the 3rd generation, Lee Ho-sang served as a generator operator and maintenance technician with the 27th Infantry Division of the Army, while Lee Ju-sang performed parachute maintenance duties at the Special Warfare School under Special Warfare Command, exemplifying how the family carried forward its spirit of national dedication through military service across three generations.
The Kim Ho-gyeong family: In the 1st generation, Kim Sung-soo served as a commando with the 8240th Unit during the Korean War. In the 2nd generation, Kim Han-gyeong served as an Army corporal for 32 months, Kim Il-woo as an Army sergeant for 26 months, and Kim Ho-gyeong as an Army sergeant for 27 months. Kim Ho-gyeong also contributed to preserving historical records by donating a copy of the Korean War armistice draft that he had kept to the nation. The 3rd generation continued this tradition: Kim Dae-woo served as an Army sergeant for 20 months, and Kim Min-woo as an Army sergeant for 18 months, maintaining the tradition of dedication to the nation and military service fulfillment across three generations.
Jo Gwang-geun, Gyeonggi Province's Extraordinary Planning Director, said, “We selected as model military service exemplary families those who not only maintained the tradition of military service across generations but also practiced volunteer work and sharing for the local community.” He added, “We will continue to honor families that have faithfully fulfilled their military obligations so they can take pride in their service and so that the value of their dedication can be widely recognized by provincial residents.”