Lee Jae-myung: Peace is Defense’s True Value

A New Dawn for the West Sea: Honoring Sacrifice, Forging Peace

The 11th West Sea Defense Day Commemoration Ceremony, held at the National Daejeon Cemetery, served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made to safeguard South Korea’s maritime borders. President Lee Jae Myung, addressing the attendees, declared that the “historical mission left to us by the West Sea defense heroes” is the creation of a peaceful Korean Peninsula, aiming to “put an end to the West Sea’s past filled with confrontation and tension.”

The ceremony specifically honored the 55 heroes who lost their lives in pivotal conflicts, including the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, the sinking of the Cheonan, and the Yeonpyeong Island artillery battle. President Lee expressed his “deep respect and remembrance” for these individuals, vowing to “remember them, record their legacy, and honor them appropriately.”

The President underscored that South Korea’s journey from wartime devastation to its current standing has never been a path of “free spring” or “automatically given peace.” He posited that the West Sea serves as a stark testament to this enduring reality. The responsibility, he asserted, is to transform the very waters defended with such ultimate sacrifice from a “border of conflict and discord” into a “foundation for peace and prosperity.”

Emphasizing the paramount importance of a stable future, President Lee stated, “Peace is food, peace is the people’s livelihood, and peace is the best security.” He elaborated that “peace that does not require fighting is the most important,” a sentiment delivered without direct mention of North Korea.

The commitment to national defense was reiterated, with President Lee affirming the necessity of “steadfastly protecting our people and South Korea’s territory with strong national defense.” However, this strength is framed as a means to an end: “creating a peaceful Korean Peninsula free from the fear of war.” He pledged to “end the West Sea’s past of confrontation and tension and dedicate ourselves to writing a new history of shared growth and prosperity.”

Echoes of Emotion and a Shared Future

The emotional weight of the day was palpable, with First Lady Kim Hea Kyung visibly moved. She was observed repeatedly wiping her eyes with her white-gloved hands as she held the hand of the mother of the late Sergeant Seo Jeong-woo. Sergeant Seo tragically perished during the Yeonpyeong Island artillery battle, and the First Lady’s reddened eyes reflected the shared grief and profound respect for his sacrifice.

The commemoration serves as more than just a memorial; it is a call to action. The sacrifices of the West Sea heroes are not to be forgotten but are to be the bedrock upon which a new era of inter-Korean relations and regional stability is built. The path forward, as articulated by President Lee, is one that leverages robust national security to foster an environment where peace and prosperity can flourish, thereby fulfilling the ultimate legacy of those who gave their lives for their nation. The West Sea, once a symbol of division and conflict, is now envisioned as a gateway to a shared future, a testament to resilience and the unwavering pursuit of a peaceful peninsula.