Oh Se-hoon: 'Political disparagement is fleeting, but memory of heroes is eternal'

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Tuesday that he was overwhelmed with emotion as the city held its first Korean War commemoration ceremony at Gwanghwamun Square. "Words cannot express how deeply moved I am to welcome our heroes here for the first time," he said.

Oh made the remarks in a Facebook post titled "The way a country remembers its heroes defines its dignity," announcing that the Korean War commemoration ceremony would be held for the first time at the Garden of Gratitude on Tuesday evening.

"It has taken a very long time," he wrote. "I wanted to leave, at the very heart of South Korea, proof that 76 years ago this country received the blood and sweat of the world's aid — and has now risen proudly as a nation that spreads peace and offers help to the world. I wanted to keep Seoul a dignified city that always remembers and is grateful to its heroes."

Oh acknowledged that the space had drawn sustained political attacks and malicious criticism. "It was deeply saddening to see even the honoring of veterans cut down by partisan standards," he said. He added that the 23 pillars — beacons of freedom and peace — had stood firm after the noise of wasteful political squabbling faded, and that he took great pride in seeing the site become a daily refuge where countless citizens come to rest. "Political disparagement is fleeting," he said, "but the memory of heroes is eternal."

He closed by inviting residents to visit with family and friends and experience "the light of positivity and pride that the Garden of Gratitude radiates." "I will make certain that Seoul remains a city that always remembers its heroes — and is dignified enough to be grateful to them," he said.