2025 Korean War Commemoration Speech

Distinguished veterans,

community leaders,

and friends:

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As President of

the Federation of Korean Associations of the Southeastern United States,

it is my deepest honor to stand with you today.

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On June 25, 1950,

the Korean War began.

Though seventy-five years have passed,

the memory of that day remains vivid.

It was a time of unimaginable sacrifice,

when young men and women,

many from the United States answered the call

to defend freedom on a distant land.

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Today,

we honor those who fought with courage

and those who never returned.

We honor the heroes still among us,

whose presence reminds us of the price paid for liberty.

And we honor the families

who carried the weight of war at home

your endurance was a service of its own.

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Because of that sacrifice,

the Republic of Korea stands today

as a nation of strength, democracy, and prosperity.

Because of your courage,

generations of Korean Americans now live with dignity and pride,

contributing to the very fabric of this great nation.

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As we reflect on this anniversary,

let us recommit ourselves

to preserving the values of freedom, peace, and unity

so that the sacrifices made on the Korean Peninsula

will never be forgotten.

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On behalf of our community,

I offer my deepest respect and gratitude.

We remember you,

we honor you,

and we will carry forward your legacy.

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And before I conclude,

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to

President Sang Chi of the Korean Association in Columbia,

whose leadership and dedication

made this commemoration possible.

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Thank you.

Federation of Korean Associations S.E. U.S.A.

President

Kihwan Kim