“The past year has been a time of connecting the voices of veterans' families to systemic change, based on the belief that ‘policies are completed in the field, not at the desk,’” said Kwon Oh-eul, Minister of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, on July 25, marking his first anniversary in office.
Kwon pledged to continue his efforts to fill the gaps in veterans' affairs and to create a South Korea where dedication to the nation is especially respected.
The Ministry highlighted three major achievements over the past year: strengthening national responsibility for veterans' gaps, implementing a national unity culture of remembrance, and expanding the global outreach of South Korea's veterans' affairs.
One significant initiative was the establishment of a living support fund for spouses of deceased veterans, which began disbursement in March. Approximately 17,000 spouses aged 80 and older, with incomes below 50% of the median, receive monthly support of 150,000 won. Before the program's launch, Minister Kwon visited homes of veterans' spouses in Daegu to hear about their challenges and explain the support measures.
Additionally, the compensation scope for descendants of independence activists has been expanded to include grandchildren, benefiting over 2,300 individuals starting in 2027, regardless of the timing of the independence activist's death. The ministry also improved the system to grant membership to one descendant of each independence activist, addressing the decline in membership due to aging.
In celebration of the 80th anniversary of liberation in 2025, the ministry successfully executed public participation events, including a pre-liberation day ceremony, a media facade at Gwanghwamun, and a drone show titled ‘Light of Liberation.’ They also buried a ‘100th Anniversary Time Capsule’ in over 100 schools nationwide, fostering remembrance and inheritance of the spirit of independence among future generations.
Minister Kwon has worked to ensure that veterans' affairs can serve as a focal point for national unity, balancing recognition of sacrifices and contributions in independence, national defense, and democracy.
He has paid respects at the graves of former presidents and their spouses, placed presidential wreaths on memorial days, and facilitated remembrance of national dedication through events like the May 18 Democratic Movement commemoration and National Veterans Month activities.
As part of his efforts to host the 2029 Invictus Games, Kwon participated directly in presentations in the UK, showcasing South Korea's commitment and Daejeon's infrastructure capabilities. This achievement marks South Korea as the first Asian host of the international military sports event, providing a pivotal opportunity to showcase the nation's veterans' medical and rehabilitation capabilities to the global community.
Furthermore, the ministry has expressed gratitude and responsibility towards those who dedicated their lives for South Korea's freedom through initiatives such as the return of UN veterans and their families, the repatriation of remains, and the expansion of international cooperation with UN member states.
Looking ahead, the Ministry aims to create tangible changes that veterans' families can feel, under the principle of ‘special compensation for special sacrifices,’ targeting a veterans' budget that constitutes 1% of total government spending. Plans include expanding recognition of military service and veterans' education for future generations, as well as ensuring the successful hosting of the 2029 Invictus Games.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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