South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the 15th Infantry Division of the Army, a frontline unit in Gangwon Province on Sept. 17, the day of Chuseok.
The 15th Infantry Division is where Private First Class Kim Nam-joon (김남준), popularly known as K-pop group BTS leader RM, is stationed as part of his military service.
President Yoon chose to visit the 15th Infantry Division in accordance with his wish to visit a unit dedicated to the defense of South Korea in a remote frontline unit during the Chuseok holiday and encourage soldiers.
He inspected the emergency medical system of the 15th Infantry Division Medical Battalion, the first unit in the Korean Army to provide medical services to both military families and local residents.
After which, President Yoon went to the 15th Infantry Division reviewing stand to encourage about 500 soldiers including RM and took a commemorative photo.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol with soldiers of the 15th Infantry Division of the Army at the reviewing stand in Gangwon Province on Sept. 17. Also in the photos is BTS leader RM or Private First Class Kim Nam-joon (Photos from the website of the Office of the President of South Korea)
“Thanks to you, soldiers, the people can rest comfortably and recharge during the holiday season. National defense and security are the most important national functions, and the national economy can only stand on national security,” he told the soldiers.
He added, “Your hard work is the pillar of the national economy. I will do my best so that you can have endless pride in your duties and positions, and so that your military uniform becomes an honor and something you can be proud of.”
Yoon ended the event by wishing the soldiers a healthy military and shouting, “Victory Unit, Fighting!”
He shook hands with each soldier and accepted their requests for selfies. Present at the reviewing stand was BTS’ RM, who donated 100 million won (about $75,340) to Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs’ “Uniformed Service Appreciation Campaign” last Sept. 12.
RM enlisted in the military as an active duty soldier on Dec. 11, 2023 and is currently serving in the 15th Infantry Division military band. He will be discharged from the military on June 10 next year.
President Yoon gave 1,000 sets of songpyeon (traditional Korean rice cake) to the division units and said, “We have prepared songpyeon for all of you who are working hard during Chuseok. Thank you for your hard work, soldiers.”
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol talks and mingles with soldiers of the 15th Infantry Division of the Army on Sept. 17.(Photos from the website of the Office of the President of South Korea)
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol presented soldiers of the 15th Infantry Division of the Army with 1,000 sets of songpyeon (traditional Korean rice cake) as his gift for Chuseok (Photos from the website of the Office of the President of South Korea)
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visiting the 15th Infantry Division Medical Battalion on Sept. 17 (Photo from the website of the Office of the President of South Korea)