Awardees received a plaque along with a prize of 20 million won for organizations and 10 million won for individuals.
The Jaseng Medical Foundation, which received the honor on this day, is carrying out various support activities, including a traditional medicine treatment program for surviving patriotic veterans, based on its founding purpose as a 'national hospital.' Dr. Shin Jun-sik, who established Jaseng Oriental Hospital, is the son of Shin Gwang-ryeol, a freedom fighter and traditional medicine doctor who dedicated himself to the anti-Japanese struggle.
The POSCO 1% Sharing Foundation has supported advanced assistive devices such as robotic prosthetics and wheelchairs to a total of 179 recipients, including disabled veterans and current firefighters and soldiers, since signing an agreement with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs on the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War in 2020.
KBFD TV and the Hawaii Korean American Foundation produced a documentary on the history of the independence movement in Hawaii and installed signposts at historical sites related to the independence movement, contributing to the preservation of the history of Korean immigration and independence activities in the U.S.
Seoul Special City established the first counseling center for young veterans among local governments nationwide, helping young people injured while defending the country to return to their daily lives and enter society quickly.
Dalseong County led the creation of the National Defense Park for General Yoo Chi-gon, who participated in the Korean War, and the establishment of a monument to national merit. Additionally, it was recognized for its achievements in popularizing veterans' culture in the community by holding the first 'Overseas Deployed Soldiers Day Ceremony' among local governments and through events like 'Veterans Family Appreciation Day.'
Park Seong-bok, Director of the Pyeongtaek Research Institute, who received the Veterans Culture Award this time, is a journalist and regional studies researcher. He has reexamined the activities of independence activists from Pyeongtaek and Korean War veterans and contributed to the promotion of An Jae-hong (presidential citation in 1989) and the opening of the memorial hall for Won Shim-chang (independence medal in 1977).
Son Hyun-deok, CEO of Maeil Business Newspaper, reflected on the meaning of veterans' support, stating, "Veterans' support is not just about supporting national merit holders, but a term that arose to remember them and repay their grace." He continued, "The act of repaying those who sacrificed for the country should be established as 'culture' and shared with everyone, passed down to future generations." Lee Hee-wan, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, stated in his commemorative speech after the awards, "Veterans' support is the spiritual foundation that forms the identity of the Republic of Korea and promotes future prosperity."
Meanwhile, the Veterans Culture Award was established in 2000 to encourage individuals and organizations that take the lead in caring for national merit holders and to popularize veterans' culture throughout society. Since 2020, Maeil Business Newspaper has co-hosted the award ceremony with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs to widely promote the meaning of veterans' support.
[Reporter Kim Seong-hoon]
