First official event at Garden of Gratitude

Mayor Oh Se-hoon, veterans' groups, youth among 500-plus attendees

Original performance honors sacrifices of war veterans

'Today's Korea exists because of veterans and their families'

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon observes a moment of silence at the 76th Korean War Anniversary Ceremony held at the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun Square on Tuesday. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon observes a moment of silence at the 76th Korean War Anniversary Ceremony held at the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun Square on Tuesday. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government held the "76th Korean War Anniversary Ceremony" at the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun Square on Tuesday evening. The event marked the first official ceremony at the Garden of Gratitude and drew more than 500 attendees, including Mayor Oh Se-hoon, veterans' organizations and youth groups.

Oh wrote on his Facebook page that day, introducing the garden and reflecting on its significance. "I wanted to leave, at the very heart of Korea, proof that 76 years ago this country — once a recipient of the world's blood, sweat and aid — has now risen proudly as a nation that spreads peace and extends help across the globe," he wrote. "I wanted to keep Seoul as a dignified city that remembers its heroes and knows how to be grateful."

The Garden of Gratitude, which opened in May, consists of two parts: "Light of Gratitude 23," an above-ground sculptural installation symbolizing the values of freedom and peace achieved through the dedication of the 23 nations — including South Korea — that fought in the Korean War; and "Freedom Hall," a below-ground media experience space tracing South Korea's journey from aid recipient to donor nation, built on those countries' and veterans' sacrifices. Since the garden opened May 13, Freedom Hall has welcomed more than 62,000 visitors over 40 days.

The ceremony opened with a vocal ensemble performance by a military band, then moved through a national ceremony and an original performance honoring the sacrifices of veterans who defended freedom and peace. The highlight was a ceremony in which the flags of all 23 participating nations were raised and light was projected onto the "Light of Gratitude 23" sculpture, symbolizing the passing of the values of freedom and peace to future generations.

As the first official event at the Garden of Gratitude, the ceremony was intended to establish the space not merely as a site of remembrance but as a place where the values of freedom and peace are carried forward to the next generation.

"It is deeply moving to open the first official event since the Garden of Gratitude was inaugurated with this meaningful Korean War anniversary ceremony," Oh said. "Today's Korea and today's Seoul exist because of the veterans and their families. Seoul will continue to be a dignified city that remembers its heroes to the very end and repays them with the highest honor."


ikson@heraldcorp.com