The 10th West Sea Defense Day Commemoration Ceremony

Dear bereaved families of the West Sea Heroes.

Dear veterans who fought in battle!

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the day

we commemorate the noble spirit of the West Sea defense.

The spirits of the 55 warriors who gave their lives protecting 

our nation's seas are with us here at this very moment.

The Republic of Korea will never forget

the 55 warriors who sacrificed themselves

while defending the seas of our homeland.

The peace and precious daily lives we enjoy today are thanks to 

the sacrifices of the 55 warriors who gave their all for the nation.

The history of the Republic of Korea is a history of sacrifice,

illuminated by the stars of patriotism who gave their lives.

It is a history of devotion, 

where each and every patriotic star gave their life for the homeland.

On June 29, 2002, during the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong,

six of our warriors were killed in action while standing firm against 

North Korea’s surprise attack.

On March 26, 2010, in the ROKS Cheonan Sinking,

we laid to rest 46 young warriors in our hearts.

On November 23 of the same year, during the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong,

two warriors gave their lives in the western sea, engulfed in flames.

There is no way to measure the pain of those who had to part with beloved family members.

The sorrow of our people who sent off these warriors continues to this day.

To the bereaved families who have lived through years of aching sorrow,

and to the wounded veterans who have quietly endured the emotional and physical scars

while holding their fallen comrades in their hearts,

we offer our deepest condolences and heartfelt respect.

The noble spirit of “national defense” left by the heroes

will shine even more brightly in the hearts of all our people

and will never fall into eternal slumber.

To the bereaved families, veterans, citizens of Incheon, and all Koreans

we will never forget

the 55 Heroes of the West Sea..

With a heart determined

to engrave each and every one of their names

deep within the heart of the Republic of Korea,

we call out the names of these heroes.

The 6 Heroes of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong!

The Late Lieutenant Commander Yoon Young-ha, 

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Han Sang-guk, 

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Jo Cheon-hyeong,

The Late Chief Petty Officer Hwang Do-hyun, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Seo Hu-won, 

The Late Petty Officer Second Class Park Dong-hyuk

The 47 Heroes of the ROKS Cheonan Sinking!

The Late Warrant Officer Lee Chang-gi, 

The Late Master Chief Petty Officer Choi Han-gwon, 

The Late Master Chief Petty Officer Nam Ki-hun,

The Late Master Chief Petty Officer Kim Tae-seok, 

The Late Master Chief Petty Officer Mun Kyu-seok, 

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Kim Kyung-su,

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer An Kyung-hwan, 

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Kim Jong-heon, 

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Min Pyung-ki,

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Choi Jung-hwan, 

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Jung Jong-yul, 

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Shin Sun-joon,

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Park Kyung-su, 

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Kang Jun, 

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Park Seok-won,

The Late Senior Chief Petty Officer Lim Jae-yeob, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Son Su-min, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Shim Young-bin,

The Late Chief Petty Officer Jo Jung-kyu, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Bang Il-min, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Jo Jin-young,

The Late Chief Petty Officer Mun Young-wook, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Park Bo-ram, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Cha Kyun-seok,

The Late Chief Petty Officer Lee Sang-joon, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Jang Jin-sun, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Seo Seung-won,

The Late Chief Petty Officer Seo Dae-ho, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Park Sung-kyun, 

The Late Chief Petty Officer Kim Dong-jin,

The Late Petty Officer First Class Lee Sang-min, 

The Late Petty Officer First Class Lee Yong-sang, 

The Late Petty Officer First Class Lee Jae-min,

The Late Petty Officer First Class Lee Sang-hee, 

The Late Petty Officer First Class Kang Hyun-gu, 

The Late Petty Officer First Class Lee Sang-min,

The Late Petty Officer Second Class Jung Beom-gu, 

The Late Petty Officer Second Class Kim Sun-myung, 

The Late Petty Officer Second Class An Dong-yeob,

The Late Petty Officer Second Class Park Jung-hoon, 

The Late Petty Officer Second Class Kim Sun-ho, 

The Late Seaman Kang Tae-min,

The Late Seaman Na Hyun-min, The Late Seaman Jo Ji-hoon, 

The Late Seaman Apprentice Jung Tae-joon,

The Late Seaman Apprentice Jang Cheol-hee, 

The Late Warrant Officer Han Joo-ho

The 2 Heroes of the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong!

The Late Petty Officer First Class Seo Jung-woo, 

The Late Seaman Apprentice Mun Kwang-wook

We offer our heartfelt salute to the 55 heroes

and pray for their eternal rest in peace.