Dongducheon mayor receives Korea Veterans Association's highest honor

Dongducheon Mayor Park Hyung-deok received the Hyanggundaehwijang — the Korea Veterans Association's most prestigious award — at a ceremony Thursday marking the 74th Korea Veterans Day.

Park was selected for the honor in recognition of his contributions to strengthening regional security, raising public awareness of national defense, elevating the standing of the Korea Veterans Association and improving the welfare of its members. The Hyanggundaehwijang is the association's highest decoration, presented to outside figures who have made outstanding contributions to the organization's development and to national security.

Park has long prioritized support and recognition for veterans and their families, and has actively promoted security awareness among local students through patriotic education programs.

He has also worked closely with the Dongducheon chapter of the Korea Veterans Association to advance members' rights and strengthen the organization, contributing significantly to the growth of local security and veterans' groups. Park has led efforts to foster a social climate in which veterans and those who served the country are held in greater respect by their communities.

Particularly notable was his active support for the "Go! Go! Go! with Heroes" project — a program Dongducheon launched in June during the month of national security and veterans' commemoration, becoming the first among 226 city, county and district veterans' association chapters nationwide to do so. The initiative has been cited as a model for honoring veterans and spreading a culture of remembrance.

"I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this meaningful award," Park said in his acceptance remarks. "I extend my deepest respect and gratitude to the members of the Korea Veterans Association, who have dedicated themselves to the country and served as a steadfast pillar of our community. I will never forget the sacrifice and dedication of those who gave so much for our national security to make today's Republic of Korea possible. I will continue to do my utmost to ensure that veterans and their families can live with pride and dignity, and I will work even harder to spread the values of security and defense throughout Dongducheon."

Kim Seok-hun, chairman of the Dongducheon chapter of the Korea Veterans Association, said Park's recognition was a source of pride for the entire city. "Mayor Park's receipt of the Hyanggundaehwijang is a distinction for Dongducheon, which has long cherished and practiced the values of national security and veterans' welfare, and it is a great source of pride and honor for every member of our chapter," Kim said. "We will continue to work closely with Dongducheon to faithfully carry out our role and responsibilities as a strong security organization that connects the local community with national defense."