Korea Maritime Promotion Corp. supports renovation of memorial tower for sailors killed on duty

Korea Maritime Promotion Corp. marked the completion of renovation work at the Memorial Tower for Sailors Killed on Duty in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, on Wednesday, and presented 40 million won ($29,800) in project funding to the Korea Seafarer Welfare and Employment Center, which carried out the work.

The ceremony was attended by Korea Maritime Promotion Corp. President Ahn Byung-gil, Korea Seafarer Welfare and Employment Center Director Kim Hyung-cheol, and Korea Federation of Maritime and Port Workers' Unions Chairman Kim Du-young, among other officials. Attendees toured the newly renovated memorial facility and paid tribute to the sailors who lost their lives at sea.

The project was carried out as part of "Bada Yeongung Mosim," a maritime-sector corporate social responsibility program run by Korea Maritime Promotion Corp. The program honors maritime workers who devoted themselves to the development of South Korea's maritime industry and public safety, while supporting safer access to memorial facilities for bereaved families and visitors.

Built in 1979, the memorial tower currently enshrines the memorial tablets of more than 9,000 sailors killed on duty. Over years of operation, cracks, lifting, subsidence and uneven surfaces had developed in the floor tiles in front of the tower, on the stairways and around the incense-offering area, making renovation necessary.

"We will continue to push forward with projects that honor those who devoted themselves to the development of South Korea's maritime industry and allow bereaved families and citizens to pay their respects in a safer and more comfortable environment," Korea Maritime Promotion Corp. President Ahn Byung-gil said.