Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon meets wounded veterans and calls for accountability

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon held a meeting with five young wounded veterans at the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun Square on September 30. The gathering aimed to discuss the challenges veterans face during social reintegration, including medical treatment, registration as persons of national merit, employment, and housing.

During the meeting, participants highlighted the difficulties of losing career goals due to injury at a young age and the financial burden of rehabilitation before receiving official veteran status. In response, Mayor Oh stated that the city is preparing a specialized rehabilitation hospital and will research further ways to improve support systems.

Addressing recent security concerns, Oh commented on the landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that injured service members. He asserted that the government must hold North Korea accountable for actions threatening national security and stated, “There is no reason to walk on eggshells around North Korea when the lives and safety of our citizens are at stake.” He emphasized that a nation’s dignity is reflected in how it takes responsibility for its heroes.