On June 6th every year, South Koreans take a moment to remember all those who sacrified their lives for this nation.
A special ceremony took place yesterday to mark Memorial Day... where President Moon Jae-in said that it is the duty of a state to remember and thank those who gave their lives for freedom and peace.
The South Korean leader also vowed greater efforts to better compensate those who have made such sacrifices for this country. Shin Semin reports.

President Moon Jae-in says it is the country's duty to remember each individual who has sacrificed their life in service of the nation, and repay their dedication no matter what.
Attending a Memorial Day service at Seoul National Cemetery,... the president promised that every effort will be made to fulfill the nation's duty to those who sacrificed themselves for Korea.

"One duty of a state is to respond to the firm conviction that, no matter what happens, the state will remember each individual and repay their dedicated contributions. Honoring patriots and veterans begins with this precious sense of responsibility."

Referring to the inter-Korean military agreement reached last September,... the president said his country will keep making efforts to excavate more remains on the inter-Korean border while eliminating landmines in the Demilitarized Zone, as promised.
He then added that it is the duty of the country to locate everyone who has dedicated themselves to their nation and that the country will do so until every last person is found.
The president also said the country has been working to repay those sacrifices through legalizing the accident compensation act for public workers and increasing the pensions for the service members who died while on duty.
With next year being the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War,... the president also highlighted the strong alliance with the U.S.,... and said it has endured the greatest sacrifice for the sake of Korea's liberty and peace.

"The Government will build a "Memorial Wall of Remembrance" within the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. by 2022. We will help the sublime value of the alliance between Korea and the United States become deeply etched on the hearts of both peoples."
The president also called for unity before patriotism,... and said there cannot be a gap between conservatives and liberals. He added that as long as the country avoids extremes and defines patriotism within the realm of common knowledge,... the nation can move closer to becoming an integrated society.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News.