President Lee Visits Veterans at Central Veterans Hospital

President Lee Jae-myung visited the Central Veterans Hospital on June 6 after attending the Memorial Day ceremony, where he met with veterans receiving treatment.

Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gyu-ryeong provided details of the president's visit in a written briefing.

The Central Veterans Hospital, established in 1961 under the Korea Veterans Welfare Medical Corporation, offers medical care and rehabilitation services to veterans. It operates a regional emergency medical center and provides integrated nursing and medical services.

Upon arrival, President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung received a warm welcome from veterans and their families. The president greeted each patient individually, inquiring about their well-being and even kneeling to shake hands with those in wheelchairs.

The couple then moved to the seventh-floor ward of the Central Building, guided by Hospital Director Shin Ho-cheol, where they met with veterans to check on their treatment progress and health status, offering words of comfort.

President Lee expressed deep gratitude for their sacrifices and dedication to the nation, wishing them a speedy recovery. During the visit, a light-hearted exchange occurred when Vietnam War veteran Hwang Dae-sik, who served in the White Horse Division, remarked, "The hospital is very comfortable and nice." President Lee responded, "But you should recover quickly and be discharged," prompting laughter in the room.

The president reiterated his appreciation, stating, "Thanks to your sacrifices and dedication, South Korea is recognized as a country in the world today." First Lady Kim also wished the veterans good health.

After concluding their visit, the president and first lady stopped by the nursing station to encourage the medical staff and express their gratitude for their hard work.

President Lee emphasized that honoring veterans is a fundamental duty of the state and urged that veterans and their families be carefully looked after to ensure they have a comfortable experience during their hospital stay.

Additionally, the president and first lady presented gift sets of red ginseng to approximately 8,800 veterans and their families currently hospitalized in veterans hospitals and affiliated medical institutions across the country.