South Korea marks 11th anniversary for fallen naval heroes
By Yoo Na-hyunPosted : March 27, 2026, 14:54Updated : March 27, 2026, 14:56
President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a ceremony at a cemetery in Daejeon on March 27, 2026. Yonhap
SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - A ceremony marking the 11th anniversary of a joint commemoration honoring victims of naval incidents in the West Sea was held in Daejeon on Friday.
South Korea has observed the fourth Friday of March as a day of remembrance, holding annual ceremonies since 2016 to honor victims of naval incidents and skirmishes with North Korea including a naval battle near the border island of Yeonpyeong in June 2002, the sinking of the corvette Cheonan in March 2010, and the shelling of the same island in November 2010.
About 1,500 people attended including President Lee Jae Myung, the bereaved families of the fallen sailors, their surviving crewmembers, military officials and war veterans as well as residents of fivenorthernmost islands near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), a de facto maritime border with North Korea.
In his speech, Lee vowed, "The sacrifices of those who died defending the country will not be forgotten."
President Lee Jae Myung (center) and his wife Kim Hea Kyung attend a ceremony at a cemetery in Daejeon on March 27, 2026. Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung (center) and his wife Kim Hea Kyung attend a ceremony at a cemetery in Daejeon on March 27, 2026. Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung (center) and his wife Kim Hea Kyung attend a ceremony at a cemetery in Daejeon on March 27, 2026. Yonhap