K9 Howitzer Metal Used for Taegeukgi Badges for Missing Soldiers

In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs announced on June 5 that it will distribute 121,723 Taegeukgi badges, symbolizing the hope that the remains of the missing soldiers will return to their families. This initiative aims to honor the 121,723 veterans whose remains have yet to be recovered as of December last year.

The campaign, titled '121723 Taegeukgi That Must Be Found,' assigns unique numbers from 1 to 121,723 to each badge, reflecting the desire for all missing soldiers to reunite with their loved ones. The boxes containing the badges are designed to resemble a Taegeukgi draped over a veteran's urn.

Notably, these badges are crafted from recycled metal from the domestically produced K9 self-propelled howitzer. Hanwha stated that this symbolizes the 'Iron of Freedom,' representing the commitment to protect South Korea's liberty and to remember the heroes of the Korean War who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield.

The Ministry plans to distribute these badges at key events during June, which is designated as the month of national defense and veterans. Distribution will occur at the National Cemetery of Seoul on Memorial Day (June 6) and at the Korea Memorial Music Festival at Olympic Park in Seoul (June 6-7).

Minister of Veterans Affairs Kang Jeong-ae expressed the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by the heroes who dedicated their lives to the freedom and peace of South Korea. She emphasized the campaign's goal of making the experience of honoring veterans more accessible to the public. Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan added that the initiative reflects a commitment to social responsibility and national unity through the reuse of K9 howitzer metal.

This campaign is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Defense Ministry's Remains Recovery and Identification Team, Hanwha, Naver Happy Bean, and the Korea Veterans Association.