Wounded warrior vows to support vets as vice minister

Politics

Published: 07 Dec. 2023, 18:59 Updated: 07 Dec. 2023, 19:06

Wounded warrior vows to support vets as vice minister

Lee Hee-wan pays tribute to lieutenant commander Yoon Yeong-ha, who died during the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, a naval skirmish against North Korea in 2002, at the National Cemetery in Daejeon in June 2015. [YONHAP]

Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs nominee Lee Hee-wan, a Navy officer who lost a leg in a naval skirmish against North Korea in 2002, said he would establish a system that repays veterans for their dedication to the country.

“I consider this as a special calling after serving 23 years in national security to now serve veterans and patriots, as well as people in uniform and the public,” Lee said Thursday about his appointment the previous day.

“I am honored to be given this important mission to assist the minister in executing national veteran policies,” he said. “However, at the same time, I feel a heavy responsibility.”

The newly appointed veteran and patriot affairs vice minister said he would lend a closer ear to veterans and their families so that their demands are adequately reflected in policies.

Lee also highlighted his duty to promote respect for veterans.

Quoting Winston Churchill, Lee said a nation that forgets the past has no future, adding that the history of Korea is the history of its veterans.

“I will work to spread a culture in which veterans and people in uniform are properly respected and that young people, who are Korea’s future, will remember the proud history that made our nation and pass it on,” Lee said.

Announcing Lee's nomination on Wednesday, the presidential office highlighted Lee's sacrifice at the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, a naval skirmish with North Korea that left six sailors dead in 2002, when the South Korean public was focused on the World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

“Captain Lee is a hero who defended the Northern Limit Line (NLL) by commanding a warship during the Battle of Yeonpyeong even when he was shot in both legs,” the presidential office said Wednesday.

The NLL is a maritime border between the two Koreas.

Lee is the first active captain appointed to a vice minister position.

He is also the first combat veteran appointed to a high-ranking government position since 2000.

Born in 1976, Lee was commissioned as an ensign after graduating from the Naval Academy in 2000.

After his promotion to lieutenant junior grade, he was made second in command of the Chamsuri-357 patrol boat, which was attacked by North Korean warship on June 29, 2002.

When the boat's commander, Yoon Yeong-ha, was killed during the attack, Lee took command of combat operations even after being shot several times.

Six sailors on Chamsuri-357 were killed, and dozens were wounded.

Lee's right leg was eventually amputated, but he has continued to serve in the Navy with a prosthetic leg, including at the Naval Academy.

The Military Personnel Management Act allows soldiers with disabilities to continue their service if their disabilities result from exemplary action in the line of duty.

Lee was promoted to commander in 2017 and again to captain on Dec. 1. He now oversees educational and training policies at Navy Headquarters.

In 2002, he received the Chungmu Medal, one of Korea's highest military honors. He is currently the only active duty service person so honored.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]