Lee Joong-geun, Chairman of Booyoung Group and President of the Korean United Nations Association, laid a wreath as a national representative during the International Day of Remembrance for UN Veterans and urged for the designation of UN Day as a national holiday.
On November 11, Booyoung Group announced that Chairman Lee attended the 20th International Day of Remembrance for UN Veterans held at the UN Memorial Park in Busan, honoring the sacrifices and dedication of UN soldiers who fought in the Korean War.
This year's ceremony was themed "Moment To Be One, Turn Toward Busan." The event was attended by over 1,000 participants, including Minister of Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul, Deputy Commander of the UN Command Scott Winter, veterans, and their families.
The International Day of Remembrance for UN Veterans began when Canadian veteran Vincent Courtney suggested a moment of silence at the UN cemetery in Busan. In March 2020, it was officially designated as a commemorative day under the law regarding the honor of UN veterans, celebrated annually on November 11.
Chairman Lee, attending as a national representative for the second consecutive year, stated, "This is a meaningful time to honor the UN soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and peace of South Korea. I hope many people will join in this remembrance. As the last generation to remember the horrors of the Korean War and the sacrifices of the UN forces, I will strive to ensure that UN Day is designated as a national holiday to receive the respect it deserves."
Chairman Lee has consistently engaged in activities to honor and recognize the sacrifices of UN veterans. In 2015, he fully funded the construction of a veterans memorial at the Peace Plaza of the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul.
He has also continuously proposed designating October 24, the founding day of the UN, as a national holiday. He explained that this designation would not only enhance respect for UN veterans but also serve as an opportunity to convey the history of cooperation with the international community to future generations.
This year marks the 81st anniversary of the UN's founding, and during the "UN Day Commemoration Ceremony," he proposed building and donating a facility in Seoul equivalent to the UN headquarters in New York to attract UN agencies. The event was conducted as an official government ceremony for the first time in 51 years.
Last year, he submitted a petition with 420,000 signatures supporting the designation of UN Day as a national holiday to the National Assembly. Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Boo-nam has introduced a bill to amend the National Holidays Act to officially designate October 24 as UN Day.
Chairman Lee added, "I hope that through attracting UN agencies, South Korea can become a center contributing to international peace and prosperity."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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