President Yoon says, "The freedom and democracy could be defended through the dedication of patriotic martyrs”

First lady Kim Keon-hee attended a Memorial Day ceremony at Seoul National Cemetery on the morning of June 6. This was the first time for Kim to appear at an event on a national commemorative day with President Yoon Suk-yeol since his inauguration.

Wearing a black suit with a white handkerchief on her left chest, she paid her respects in front of Memorial Tower and stood next to her husband during the ceremony.

First Lady Kim Keon-hee wipes President Yoon Suk-yeol's wet clothes with a handkerchief at the 67th Memorial Day ceremony held at the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on June 6.
First Lady Kim Keon-hee wipes President Yoon Suk-yeol's wet clothes with a handkerchief at the 67th Memorial Day ceremony held at the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on June 6.

Caught on camera were scenes of the first lady wiping rain off the president's clothes and trousers with her handkerchief and fastening the buttons on his raincoat.

President Yoon said in a speech, "The freedom and democracy we enjoy today could be defended through the courage and dedication of patriotic martyrs and the souls of fallen heroes who sacrificed themselves for the nation," adding, "I believe that building a proud Korea where freedom, democracy and human rights flourish is the way to make their sacrifices shine."

"We will more warmly embrace people of national merit and their bereaved families," he added. "We need to build a country where heroes in uniform are respected."

Meanwhile, the presidential couple visited Veterans Health Service Medical Center in Seoul after the ceremony. They met decorated Korean War veterans Park Un-wook and Jung In-bae and Vietnam War veterans Song Sang-woo and Cho Han-tae, prayed for their speedy recovery and gave them care packages.

저작권자 © The Korea Post 무단전재 및 재배포 금지