Hanwha Group held a ceremony Wednesday with family members of the soldiers who were killed in the sinking of the Cheonan warship five years ago.

The ceremony, held at Hanwha’s plant in Daejeon, was a gesture of solidarity to the family members of 14 sailors in attendance, who were hired by the group through a special measure implemented by chairman Kim Seung-youn.

Kim Seung-youn
Kim Seung-youn

According to Hanwha, after the 2010 inter-Korean incident, chairman Kim proposed a special hiring policy that would give special consideration to family members of the 46 sacrificed soldiers.

The policy was meant to embody Hanwha’s philosophy of protecting the nation through its business in the defense industry, and to provide substantive and continuing support to the sailors’ families.

In a letter read by Hanwha Corp. CEO Shim Kyung-seb at the ceremony, chairman Kim wrote, “Just as your family protected our nation, in Hanwha, I will be the family that will stand by you,” offering his sincere condolences.

The family members also received signed letters and gifts from Kim, in addition to two special vacation days to honor the soldiers’ memories.

Ahead of the ceremony, the family members were joined by Shim in visiting the resting places of the 46 sailors, laying flowers and Korean flags in appreciation of their selfless sacrifice.

By Won Ho-jung ()


koreaherald@heraldcorp.com