Gyeongsangbuk-do National Defense and Veterans Foundation Selects Nursing Hero Kang Suja as March National Defense Hero

The Gyeongsangbuk-do National Defense and Veterans Foundation (CEO Han Heewon, hereinafter referred to as the Foundation) announced that it has selected Kang Suja (born in 1930), a native of Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk, as the "Gyeongbuk National Defense Hero of the Month" for March 2026.

Kang Suja is a nurse who saved the lives of wounded soldiers at a front-line field hospital during the Korean War.

Gyeongbuk March's National Defense Hero Kang Suja Poster. Provided by Yeongcheon City

This selection is especially meaningful as it honors not only armed combatants but also those who protected the nation by practicing medicine amidst the chaos of battle, recognizing their noble dedication.

In 1950, while working as an elementary school teacher in Yeongdeok, Kang volunteered as a nursing assistant after the outbreak of the Korean War, when the front line extended to the Nakdong River.

From the early days of the war, she devoted herself to the overall care of the wounded, including meal support, hygiene management, and medical assistance, striving to save the lives of soldiers.

Following the northward advance operations, she moved with her unit as far as Wonsan and Hamhung, and after the intervention of Chinese forces, she continued her duties, caring for numerous wounded soldiers even during the harsh retreat in the cold.

Han Heewon, CEO of the Gyeongsangbuk-do National Defense and Veterans Foundation, stated, "Kang Suja is a hero who protected the lives of wounded soldiers in the midst of battle and defended the nation," adding, "I hope that this selection will serve as an opportunity for the people of the province to reflect on the noble spirit of those who dedicated themselves to saving lives, even in the pain of war."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.