Commemorative Address for the 11th West Sea Defense Day
Honorable citizens of Incheon,
and the bereaved families of the fallen heroes of the West Sea,
as well as the veterans who have joined us today,
Today, we stand before the memorial tower of the 2nd Fleet Command at Wolmido Park
overlooking the West Sea to honor the noble spirits of the 55 heroes
who gave their lives like falling petals for the safety of our nation.
On the occasion of the 11th West Sea Defense Day,
I extend my deepest condolences and respect to each
and every bereaved family member
who continues to carry profound sorrow and pain.
Even as the years pass, the longing for
that day has not faded for the bereaved families.
Though a decade has passed—long enough for mountains and rivers to change—
for the families who lost their precious sons,
beloved husbands, and warm, embracing fathers,
time still remains frozen in that cold sea on that very day.
To some, it may be just another day on the calendar,
but for you, it has been an unending season of longing, repeating day after day.
We know all too well that you have endured indescribable grief
and loneliness with unwavering strength.
You are, indeed, another kind of hero who continues to safeguard this nation.
Distinguished guests,
We are now living through difficult and uncertain times
amid the turbulence of the global order.
As we witness the Ukraine–Russia war and the bloodshed in the Middle East,
we are once again reminded of a painful truth.
Peace cannot be obtained through words or documents alone,
and peace without strength is nothing more than an illusion.
Peace that cannot defend itself is nothing but a sandcastle that can collapse in an instant.
In a harsh international society where the interests of great powers and nationalism
constantly collide, security stands as the final safeguard for the survival of a nation.
North Korea continues to carry out missile launches and maritime provocations,
and threats toward the West Sea’s five islands and the Northern Limit Line (NLL)
are becoming increasingly overt by the day.
The threats our heroes faced in the West Sea
are not events of the past, but realities that continue to this very moment.
The greatest legacy left by the sacrifice of the 55 heroes
is the solemn call for “self-reliant national defense.”
The Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, the Sinking of the Cheonan,
and the Yeonpyeong Island Bombardment are all incidents
that occurred in the waters of Incheon.
We must ensure that our peace is never again violated,
and that no more precious lives are lost.
Proud families of our fallen heroes,
we will ensure that the sacrifice of the 55 heroes does not go in vain,
and that the West Sea becomes a symbol not of conflict and confrontation,
but of peace and prosperity.
A city that does not honor its heroes has no future.
Incheon will ensure that the sacrifices of the West Sea heroes
do not become a forgotten past.
It is our fundamental duty
to establish a culture of remembrance in which those who
devoted themselves to the nation take pride,
and their families can live with dignity and honor.
Starting in March, Incheon has increased the veterans’ honor allowance
and the disability honor allowance by 20%,
and has raised the participation honor allowance by 50%,
extending it to all eligible veterans.
The long-awaited Integrated Patriots and Veterans Welfare Center
is being constructed smoothly with the goal of completion in January next year.
With a total project cost of KRW 29.6 billion,
the Incheon Integrated Patriots and Veterans Welfare Center
will serve not only as a hub for veterans’ support programs,
but also as a multipurpose cultural space
where veterans’ families can rest, connect, and take pride.
The families of our heroes are families of Incheon.
We will stand by the bereaved families,
who have endured the loss of their loved ones,
until the very end.
The stature of “Incheon, the City of National Patriots and Veterans,
” where remembrance becomes culture and everyday life,
will be established more firmly.
To remember, to stand together, and to carry forward—
this is our way of honoring their noble sacrifice and fulfilling our duty to the nation.
The mountains and seas of this land, once protected by their courage,
have now become places where future generations can run freely and live in peace.
Though they are no longer physically with us,
they continue to live on as an eternal flame within our hearts.
Today, we set aside our piercing sorrow and once again
reaffirm our resolute determination.
With unwavering strength and security that can withstand any threat,
we will carry their courage and sacrifice deep within us
and fulfill the unfinished dream of peace they left behind.
Incheon will never forget the 55 heroes.
I sincerely wish lasting peace and good health to all the bereaved families.
