 ▲ 윤석열 대통령이 6일 청와대 영빈관에서 열린 국가유공자·보훈가족 초청 오찬에서 국기에 대한 경례를 하고 있다. © 뉴시스 |
윤석열 대통령이 6일 제69회 현충일을 맞아 국가유공자·보훈가족 등과 오찬을 갖고 "국가를 위해 헌신한 영웅·그 유족들을 기억하고 예우하는 건 국가의 마땅한 책무이며 우리 정체성을 지키는 것"이라고 강조했다.
윤 대통령은 이날 청와대 영빈관에 국가유공자·보훈가족 등 160여 명을 초청해 오찬을 하며 이같이 말했다고 대통령실이 전했다.
초청 유공자·보훈가족은 국군 의장대 도열과 군악대 연주 속에서 의전을 받으며 영빈관에 입장한 가운데 현충일 추념식을 마치고 먼저 도착해 있던 윤 대통령이 직접 영접하며 예우를 표했다.
윤 대통령은 추념식 후 서울 현충원 학도의용군 무명용사탑 참배 사실을 거론 후 "이름·군번도 없이 고귀한 청춘을 국가에 바친 분들이 계시기 때문에 지금의 자유 대한민국이 존재한다는 사실을 늘 잊지 말아야 한다"며 지난해 6월 국가보훈처가 국가보훈부로 격상된 점을 언급하며 "국가·정부뿐만이 아닌 국민 모두가 영웅들을 기억하고 감사하는 문화를 가져야 한다"고 말했다.
그러면서 "안전한 일상을 영유할 수 있도록 국민 생명·안전을 지키고 있는 군·경찰·소방 분야 제복 근무자들 노고도 잊지 않겠다"며 "국가·국민을 지켜주신 여러분을 이제 정부가 책임지고 지키고 온 국민과 함께 예우하겠다"고 밝혔다.
더불어 "대한민국 국민을 대표해 보훈 영웅·가족 여러분께 깊은 감사·경의를 표한다"고 덧붙였다.
이 자리엔 대한민국상이군경회·대한민국전몰군경유족회·대한민국전몰군경미망인회 등 19개 보훈단체 임원·회원 등이 참석한 가운데 특별 초청 대상자로 6‧25전쟁 당시 학도병으로 참전했던 박동군·박차생 참전 용사와 지난해 12월 유해가 발굴된 고 전병섭 하사 유족인 조카 전춘자씨가 참석했다.
제2연평해전 참전용사 황창규 원사와 연평도 포격전에 참전했던 정경식 준위 등 서해수호 장병 대표도 함께한 가운데 군 복무 중 순직한 고 전새한 이병 아버지 전태웅씨, 국민 생명을 구하기 위한 임무 중 순직한 고 장용훈 경장·허승민 소방위 유족도 자리했다. 순직 군인 고 권의준 소령 딸 소프라노 권소라씨는 오찬에서 기념 공연을 했다.
*아래는 위 기사를 '구글 번역'으로 번역한 영문 기사의 [전문]입니다. '구글번역'은 이해도 높이기를 위해 노력하고 있습니다. 영문 번역에 오류가 있을 수 있음을 전제로 합니다.<*The following is [the full text] of the English article translated by 'Google Translate'. 'Google Translate' is working hard to improve understanding. It is assumed that there may be errors in the English translation.
President Yoon Seok-yeol said, “It is a national responsibility to honor heroes and their bereaved families who devoted themselves to the nation.”
69th Memorial Day, Blue House Invitation Luncheon for National Meritorious Persons and Veterans' Families "The nation, government, and citizens should all have a culture of remembering and being thankful for heroes."
-kihong Kim reporter
On the 6th, President Yoon Seok-yeol held a luncheon with people of national merit and families of veterans on the 69th Memorial Day and emphasized, "It is the nation's duty to remember and honor the heroes who devoted themselves to the country and their bereaved families, and it is to protect our identity." .
The President's Office reported that President Yoon said this while having lunch with about 160 people, including people of national merit and veterans' families, at the Blue House Guesthouse.
The invited meritorious people and veterans' families entered the guesthouse with the honor guard of the Armed Forces lined up and a military band playing, and entered the guesthouse. President Yoon, who had arrived first after the Memorial Day ceremony, personally welcomed them and showed courtesy.
After the memorial ceremony, President Yoon mentioned the fact that he visited the Tower of the Unknown Soldier of the Student Volunteer Army at the Seoul National Cemetery and said, "We must never forget that the free Republic of Korea exists today because there are people who sacrificed their precious youth to the country without their names or military numbers." Referring to the fact that the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs was upgraded to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in January, he said, “Not only the country and government, but all citizens must have a culture of remembering and being thankful for heroes.”
At the same time, he said, “I will not forget the hard work of uniformed workers in the military, police, and fire departments who protect the lives and safety of the people so that they can live a safe daily life,” and added, “The government is now responsible for protecting all of you who have protected the country and citizens.” “I will treat you with courtesy,” he said.
He added, "On behalf of the people of the Republic of Korea, I would like to express my deep gratitude and respect to the veterans and their families."
The event was attended by executives and members of 19 veterans organizations, including the Korea Disabled Veterans Association, the Korean War Fallen Soldiers' Bereaved Families Association, and the Korea Fallen Soldiers' Widows' Association, and special invitees included Park Dong-gun and Park Cha-saeng, who participated as student soldiers during the Korean War. The warrior and his niece, Jeon Chun-ja, a family member of the late Sergeant Jeon Byeong-seop, whose remains were excavated in December of last year, attended.
Representatives of the West Sea defense soldiers, including Petty Officer Hwang Chang-gyu, a veteran of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, and Warrant Officer Jeong Gyeong-sik, who participated in the bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island, were also present, along with Jeon Tae-woong, the father of the late private who died in the line of duty, and the late Captain Jang Yong-hoon, who died in the line of duty while on a mission to save the lives of the people. The bereaved family of Fire Commissioner Heo Seung-min was also present. Soprano Kwon So-ra, daughter of the late Major Kwon Eui-jun, a soldier who died in the line of duty, gave a commemorative performance at the luncheon.
