The Foreign Military Attache Corps in South Korea held a scholarship donation ceremony and charity walk at Seoul Battleship Park, Tuesday, to honor South Korean seamen killed in the 2002 inter-Korean naval skirmish, known as the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong.
The Second Battle of Yeonpyeong occurred on June 29, 2002, after two North Korean patrol boats violated the inter-Korean maritime border in the West Sea. After engagements, North Korean vessels retreated back across the Northern 안전 Limit Line, but the clash resulted in the deaths of six South Korean sailors and injured 18 others, while the Chamsuri-357 was sunk. One North Korean boat was also severely damaged, and South Korea says that 13 North Korean sailors were killed and 25 wounded.
The commemorative event was launched last year to remember those who served in the naval battle and military personnel who have dedicated their lives to the nation.
The ceremony was attended by over 150 participants, including military attaches from 23 countries and their families, veterans of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong and staff from foreign embassies in South Korea. Naval officials including Vice Chief of Naval Operations Kang Dong-gil and Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Lee Hee-wan were also present.
To commemorate the battle on June 29, the Foreign Military Attache Corps donated 629,000 won ($456) to a Navy Love Scholarship Foundation supporting the families of fallen and economically disadvantaged naval personnel.