Mayor Kim Sang-don of Uiwang City Presents Hwarang Medal of Military Merit to Families of Korean War Veterans

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Uiwang City held a medal bestowal ceremony on the 25th at City Hall's reception room, presenting the Hwarang Medal of Military Merit to the children of war heroes as part of its "Finding Medals of Military Merit for Korean War Veterans" project.

The Finding Medals of Military Merit project aims to honor those who dedicated themselves with the spirit of national salvation during the Korean War, as promoted by the Ministry of Defense and the Army. This time, the Hwarang Medal of Military Merit was presented.

The recipients were three individuals: Second Lieutenant Jo Do-hyung of the 5th Division, Sergeant Kim Hak-geun of the 9th Division, and Sergeant Lee Byeong-seon of the 3rd Division.

Mayor Kim Sang-don presented the medals to Kim Deok-soon, chairperson of the Korean War Veterans and Bereaved Families Association and bereaved family member of Sergeant Kim Hak-geun, and to two family members of Second Lieutenant Jo Do-hyung and Sergeant Lee Byeong-seon (Jo Seon-hun and Lee Chang-ye).

Kim Deok-soon, chairperson of the Korean War Veterans and Bereaved Families Association, said, "It is deeply moving to receive my father's medal on his behalf. As a descendant of a war veteran, I felt pride and honor."

Mayor Kim Sang-don said, "Though it is late, I am grateful that we can present the Medal of Military Merit directly to the families."

He continued, "Thanks to the dedication of national heroes, our Republic of Korea is able to guarantee the freedom and peace we enjoy today. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, a historic occasion, so I am committed to honoring together with our citizens the noble spirit and achievements of the Korean War veterans who willingly gave their youth for the fate of our homeland, and to do our utmost in showing respect to the war heroes and their families."