[Contribution] Gratitude and Respect for Veterans' Dedication

by Jo Chunghyeon

Published 08 Oct.2026 14:18(KST)

The film We Were Soldiers depicts soldiers who risked everything to protect their comrades and subordinates amid fierce battles and extreme conditions during the Vietnam War. Their trust in one another and their determination to fulfill their responsibilities as soldiers to the very end invite us to reflect on the mission and sacrifice of soldiers, beyond the horrors of war.

The war in the film may be over, but the soldiers' stories do not all end there. Those who return from the battlefield go back to their families and begin new lives. They take off their uniforms, find new jobs, and live ordinary daily lives, but the time they devoted to their country and the experience they gained along the way never disappear.

I believe this is why we need Veterans Week. Article 3-2 of the Act on Support for Veterans Who Have Completed Military Service designates the second week of October each year as Veterans Week. This year's Veterans Week runs from October 5 to 11. It is a meaningful period to express gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions of veterans who served their country and to foster a social climate in which they are respected by the public.

When we look at the international situation today, the value of peace and security feels greater than ever. Conflicts between nations and military tensions continue in many parts of the world, and we, too, face ongoing military threats from North Korea.

The Republic of Korea has safeguarded its freedom and peace amid the unique reality of national division. This has been made possible by the dedication of countless soldiers who devoted their youth to fulfilling their duty of national defense and, at times, put their lives and safety on the line.

What they protected in uniform was more than just the Military Demarcation Line. They safeguarded the precious routines that allow families to laugh together, children to go to school, and people to start their workday.

Because these routines feel so ordinary, it is easy to forget the efforts of the many people behind them. But peace and security are never granted automatically. We need to remember that the ordinary days we enjoy are possible because of the responsibility and dedication of others.

For veterans who served in the military for many years in particular, military life is an important part of their lives. The expertise, experience, sense of responsibility, and leadership they developed in the military do not disappear when they take off their uniforms. On the contrary, these qualities can become valuable assets our society needs.

That is why I believe that honoring veterans should not end with gratitude for their past service. Helping them settle into society, put their abilities to use, and build new lives after completing their military service is also an important challenge we must address together.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs supports veterans in leading dignified lives and settling into society securely for this very reason. Helping them apply the experience and abilities they gained through military service to the development of society is, I believe, not only a way to repay their past service but also another form of veterans' service for the future.

For veterans, taking off the uniform does not mean bringing one phase of life to a close; it can also mean starting a new one. Our society should reach out warmly so that the experience they gained in service to the country can be put to use throughout society and they can live with pride in their new roles.

As we mark Veterans Week in October, I would like to express my gratitude and respect to all veterans who have safeguarded the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea. I also hope we remember that behind the ordinary lives we enjoy today are the sacrifices of countless veterans who devoted their youth and time to the country.

I hope this year's Veterans Week will give us an opportunity to reflect once again on their sacrifices and contributions and help veterans continue their new lives with pride as valued members of our society.