South Korea is set to hold a ceremony this week in Suwon to honor the sacrifices made during the 1950-53 Korean War. The event, attended by around 1,000 individuals including foreign diplomats, will see the Order of Military Merit conferred on three individuals who played crucial roles in the war efforts, with two being posthumously honored.
A choir composed of descendants of an Ethiopian unit that served during the Korean War will perform the traditional Korean folk song “Arirang” at the ceremony. Additionally, the veterans ministry plans to recognize the contributions of some 35,000 bereaved family members of fallen service members and police officers.
President Lee Jae Myung visited a Marine Corps unit near North Korea to emphasize the importance of strong deterrence against the enemy for maintaining peace. He highlighted the significance of making a fight unnecessary as the cornerstone of peace, stating that peace forms the most stable basis for security.
Lee outlined his commitment to enhancing military capabilities to ensure strong deterrence against potential threats. He also expressed intentions to reform the compulsory military service system, aiming to transition to a voluntary system in the future to allow individuals to showcase their abilities in society without spending prolonged periods in military service.
