Theme: 'Moment To Be One, Turn Toward Busan'

Lee calls for UN Day to be recognized as national holiday

Lee Joong-keun, chairman of the Korean Association for the United Nations and Booyoung Group, lays a wreath as a representative of the Korean people. [Booyoung Group]
Lee Joong-keun, chairman of the Korean Association for the United Nations and Booyoung Group, lays a wreath as a representative of the Korean people. [Booyoung Group]

Lee Joong-keun, chairman of the Korean Association for the United Nations, attended the 20th International Memorial Day for UN Veterans at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan on Wednesday, calling for UN Day to be designated a national holiday.

The ceremony, held under the theme "Moment To Be One, Turn Toward Busan," drew about 1,000 attendees, including Minister of Patriots and Veterans Kwon O-eul, Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command Scott Winter, foreign diplomatic envoys in Korea, Korean War veterans and their bereaved families.

Lee laid a wreath as a representative of the Korean people, honoring the dedication and sacrifice of UN soldiers who died fighting in the Korean War. Attending in that capacity for the second consecutive year, Lee said he hoped as many people as possible would join in the commemoration. "As the last generation to remember the horrors of the Korean War and the sacrifices of the UN forces, I will work to ensure that their dedication and contributions are not forgotten — and that UN Day is designated a national holiday so they receive the recognition they deserve," he said.

Lee has long set an example in honoring Korean War veterans. In 2015, he fully funded the construction of war memorials for 23 participating nations — including South Korea — at the Peace Plaza of the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, each featuring a 2.7-meter symbolic monument and a laurel wreath of victory.

Lee has also worked to build public support for making UN Day a national holiday. Together with the Korean Association for the United Nations, the Korea Senior Citizens Association and other major organizations, he has led a series of public campaigns — first a joint campaign tied to Constitution Day, then one under the slogan "Oct. 24, UN Day: Passing the history of peace to future generations."

Last year, his association delivered a petition bearing 420,000 signatures calling for UN Day to be designated a national holiday to the National Assembly. Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Yang Bu-nam subsequently introduced a bill to amend the National Holidays Act to designate Oct. 24 as UN Day, a national holiday.

Meanwhile, Booyoung Group has donated a cumulative total of more than 1.22 trillion won ($908 million) through various social contribution activities, including history preservation, veterans support and scholarship programs.


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