The 9th West Sea Defense Day Commemoration
We pray for the eternal rest of our nation’s heroes.
Dear citizens of Incheon, families of the West Sea defenders, and our valiant veterans,
Today, we gather to commemorate and deeply honor the noble sacrifices
made by the defenders of the West Sea.
We first pay homage to the martyrs who fell defending our sovereignty and maritime borders,
bowing our heads in reverence for their eternal peace.
As we mark the ninth anniversary of West Sea Defense Day,
the pain of loss for those who have lost loved ones remains immeasurable.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families living with the ache of absence.
Our thoughts and deepest respects also go to the wounded veterans
who have bravely borne the scars of battle, both seen and unseen.
The “55 heroes of the West Sea defense,”
who upheld peace and freedom to their final moments
Dear citizens of Incheon, bereaved families, and veterans,
On that fateful day, when ordinary peace was shattered,
the waters around Yeonpyeongdo and Baengnyeongdo were engulfed in gunsmoke and flames.
During the 2002 Second Battle of Yeonpyeong
and the 2010 Cheonan sinking and Yeonpyeong island bombardment,
55 heroes stood firm against North Korea’s unexpected provocations.
Despite facing a critical moment, not one faltered.
Our heroes valiantly took their place at the forefront of battle,
abandoning their leave to return to their comrades.
Battling through relentless artillery and gunfire, these guardians of our nation fought with unyielding spirit,
safeguarding the Republic of Korea’s peace and freedom to the very end.
Our nation’s peace is upheld by the trust and respect
we give our defenders, the shield and fortress of our country.
Dear citizens, bereaved families, and veterans,
In December last year, the Cheonan, sanctified
by the spirits of our patriotic heroes, was returned to us after 13 years.
The newly refitted Cheonan, now with enhanced armament and improved anti-submarine capabilities,
has been operationally deployed to the Republic of Korea Navy’s Second Fleet, ready once again to defend the West Sea.
Commander Park Yeon-soo, who served during the 2010 attack,
now captains the Cheonan, continuing the mission of the 46 comrades left behind.
Commander Park and his crew honor the legacy of those who have fallen,
pledging “immediate response” and “honor defense” with a commitment to victory,
safeguarding our freedoms and peace.
Strong defense capabilities and the resolve
to protect peace form the foundation of our national security.
It is at the intersection of our unwavering readiness and our trust
and respect that the door to true freedom and peace opens.
The wish for our nation’s well-being is not grandiose;
it is in remembering, uniting, loving, and acting
that we express our patriotism and repay the sacred sacrifices made.
The legacy of national defense, an everlasting source of pride and confidence—
We will reciprocate with veteran care that resonates with our citizens.
Dear veterans and families,
The legacy left by the 55 heroes of the West Sea
has become a source of undying pride and confidence for all Koreans.
Now is the time for Incheon and all of us to honor the sacrifices of these heroes.
This year, Incheon has introduced a new allowance for spouses of deceased veterans.
We are committed to supporting the remaining families without fail.
In addition, we are advancing the construction of the Incheon Integrated Veterans’ Hall,
aiming for completion in 2025, to further support our national heroes.
Incheon, aspiring to live up to its reputation as a city dedicated to honoring military service,
will continue to develop policies that respect our national veterans and bereaved families,
actualizing “veteran care that citizens can feel.”
Incheon: A Beacon of World Peace, Shaped by Victorious History
Dear citizens, families of the fallen, and war veterans,
The Five West Sea Islands, nestled against the Northern Limit Line in Incheon,
stand as the Republic of Korea’s first line of defense.
Despite facing ongoing threats from North Korean missile tests and provocations,
our armed forces and the citizenry stand resilient,
meeting these challenges with unwavering resolve and bravery.
Incheon, which served as the critical point for counteroffensive operations during the Korean War,
saw the blood and sacrifices of young individuals
from around the world during the Incheon Landing Operation.
The sublime sacrifices made by the allied forces of 22 countries,
in exchange for humanity’s freedom and peace, will be eternally honored and remembered by us.
The narrative of triumph, penned under the ensign of liberty,
transformed the Republic of Korea from a post-war country
with a GDP per capita of merely USD 67 into one of the world’s leading economies.
Building on this legacy of steadfast determination,
Incheon commits to steadfastly guarding our nation’s heavens, earth, and waters,
assuming its responsibility as a city of global peace.
The unyielding spirit of our uniformed heroes will ignite the Flame of Global Peace.
Dear citizens, bereaved families of the West Sea defense, and combat veterans,
The Republic of Korea is a nation that cherishes and commemorates its heroes.
We pledge to forever hold dear the valiant spirit demonstrated by the 55 West Sea defenders.
The unwavering commitment of these uniformed heroes will act as an eternal torch,
igniting the flame of peace across the world.
We dedicate the dreams of peace and prosperity envisioned by our heroes
to the revered memory of those who gave their all for the homeland.
Thank you.
