Park Soo-hyun Meets with Chungnam Veterans Association Officials
“I’m a member too…National security is the foundation of the state”
The state must fully honor and care for its veterans
On May 11, Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party’s candidate for governor of South Chungcheong Province, met with officials from the Chungnam Veterans Association, emphasized the importance of national security, and pledged to ensure veterans receive proper recognition and support.
That morning, Park convened a roundtable at the Cheonan City Veterans Association. About 10 people attended, including Park Jae-woon, president of the Daejeon–Chungnam Veterans Association, and the heads of local city and county chapters.
The Daejeon–Chungnam Veterans Association covers Daejeon, South Chungcheong and Sejong. In South Chungcheong alone, it comprises 15 city and county chapters and 187 town and neighborhood chapters, with a total membership of 469,804.
At the meeting, Park noted, “I’m a member too,” and outlined his service: he enlisted in the Army in 1984, served as a rifleman with the Capital Defense Command, and was discharged as a sergeant in 1987.
He said that while the concept of security has broadened to include the economy, daily life, diplomacy and national interest, its core remains the protection of citizens’ lives, property and the nation itself.
Park proposed expanding veterans’ activities to raise public awareness of security. He suggested a large-scale “Hang the Taegeukgi in Every Home” campaign—distributing national flags at apartment entrances, for example—and said the provincial government could partner on new initiatives to strengthen residents’ patriotism.
On veterans’ recognition, Park recalled that during former U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to South Korea, Korean veterans stood prominently beside the president. He said that in the United States, honoring those who serve is a settled national practice: the state unequivocally rewards and takes responsibility for acts of patriotism.
He also invoked former President Moon Jae-in’s hope that South Korea cultivate a societal culture that respects and honors those who have served the nation, and stressed the need to expand that recognition here.
Earlier in the meeting, Park Jae-woon told attendees that the veterans association is the country’s largest security organization and that it conducts extensive security and volunteer work in the region. He asked for attention to the association’s proposals and for active support.
In response, Park expressed deep respect for veterans’ patriotism, dedication, sacrifice and service. “You are true patriots,” he said, pledging to work with the association to promote that spirit.
The Daejeon–Chungnam Veterans Association runs annual security programs and community service efforts, including public security awareness campaigns, support for veterans’ families, flood recovery work and initiatives to improve members’ welfare.
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