About 300 war veterans, bereaved families and merit holders invited to Haenuri Hall — a ceremony to honor sacrifice and share the spirit of national service with the community
Little Angels Arts Troupe performance, commendations for exemplary merit holders, hands-on booths and more highlight a program dedicated to the values of veterans' service
Yangcheon-gu will host its "Veterans Family Festival" on Thursday at 2 p.m. at Haenuri Hall in Haenuri Town, inviting about 300 veterans and their families to mark the Month of National Patriots and Veterans with a ceremony of gratitude and respect.
The gathering will bring together members of 10 veterans' organizations — including the Korean War Veterans Association — along with national merit holders and bereaved families. The event is designed to honor the contributions of those who served the country and to share the values of veterans' service with the wider community.
The program includes commendations for exemplary national merit holders, a cultural performance and hands-on activities. Particularly notable this year is a special Korean War Medal of Military Merit presentation ceremony, in which medals and citations will be posthumously delivered to the families of three Korean War veterans who never received their decorations during their lifetimes. Yangcheon-gu District Mayor Lee Gi-jae will personally present the medals to the bereaved families, paying tribute to the late veterans' service and sacrifice on behalf of the nation.
The cultural performance will feature the Little Angels Arts Troupe, which regularly appears at veterans' commemorations and national ceremonies both in Korea and abroad. The troupe will present Korean traditional dance and choral performances. The audience will also join in singing military anthems — a moment intended to reaffirm love of country and honor the sacrifices of those who came before.
The event lobby will host a veterans-themed hands-on booth area where visitors can engage with the meaning of national service in an accessible, interactive way. Activities include a tasting of wartime foods, a bracelet-making workshop using beads in the colors of the Taegukgi, and a keychain-making session using coffee grounds — all designed to help participants reflect on the sacrifices of national merit holders.
Yangcheon-gu has been steadily expanding support to strengthen the livelihoods and recognition of those eligible for veterans' benefits. Since April, the district extended its veterans' honor allowance to include the spouses of deceased war veterans, and raised the holiday gift payment for Seollal and chuseok from 20,000 won ($13) to 30,000 won, bolstering practical support for recipients.
"The sacrifice and dedication of our national merit holders and their families laid the foundation for the Republic of Korea we have today," District Mayor Lee said. "I hope this Veterans Family Festival will be a meaningful occasion to share gratitude, comfort and pride together, and we will continue to spare no effort in improving the recognition and support our merit holders deserve."
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