President Moon Jae-in visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial this morning and laid a wreath there. The ribbon on the wreath was printed with the phrase, “Noble Steps for Freedom.”

President Moon greeted an American veteran, who lost his arm and leg in the Battle of Wonju, by saying that he was especially moved to see him at the memorial. The President told another Korean War veteran that he wanted him to stay healthy long enough to see how Korea would progress and ultimately its reunification. One of the participating veterans greeted the President by saying “We Go Together.”

President Moon said that they came to the aid of a nation in need that they never knew and made sacrifices, expressing his gratitude for safeguarding the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea.

One participating Korean War veteran said he was proud that the Republic of Korea had emerged as one of the dozen or so largest economic powerhouses in the world and had also become a donor nation. In reply, President Moon said that these achievements were made possible thanks to those who had made sacrifices.  

To a bereaved family member whose brother`s remains were found 65 years after the Korean War and laid to rest at the National Cemetery, the President said there were many still missing, pledging efforts for a continued search.  

President Moon greeted and expressed gratitude once again to the two widows of the victims of the Axe Murder Incident. The President went on to say that he had also been in the military at that time and right after the incident, he took part in "Operation Paul Bunyan" to cut down the poplar tree, adding that he would make sure that the sacrifices of the two U.S. officers would not have been in vain. 

Gen. Walter Sharp, the former Commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, told the President that he was born while his father was fighting in the Korean War and that his father, now in heaven, would be happy.