After arriving in the United Arab Emirates today, President Moon Jae-in visited Wahat al Karama to pay homage to the fallen heroes of the UAE. Literally meaning the oasis of dignity, Wahat al Karama is a memorial built in honor of martyrs and soldiers of the UAE who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the nation. It carries the significance that the spirit of sacrifice of UAE heroes is like an oasis in the desert.

During the visit, the first by a South Korean president, President Moon expressed heartfelt condolences to the fallen heroes of the UAE. This visit served as an opportunity to reconfirm close bilateral ties that have continuously progressed so far since the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2009. 

The Memorial, the main facility of Wahat Al Karama, comprises 31 massive aluminum-clad tablets, each leaning on the other, symbolizing the unity among the UAE`s leadership, citizens and men and women in uniform.

The inner wall of the Pavilion of Honor was made from melted steel plates from armored vehicles once used by the armed forces of the UAE. It is engraved with the name, rank, affiliation and date and place of the death of the fallen heroes who fought to protect the nation. The seven transparent glass panels at the center of the pavilion symbolize the seven Emirates and are etched with an oath of allegiance and passages from the Koran. 

President Moon wrote on the guestbook that their courage and sacrifice made the UAE an oasis of dignity, paying tribute to the fallen heroes.