▲ President Lee Jae Myung (C, rear) speaks during a luncheon meeting for people of national merit and their families at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Aug. 13, 2026. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung vowed Thursday to carry on the value of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation as he met with the families of veterans and other meritorious people.

Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung hosted a luncheon for more than 180 people at Cheong Wa Dae, including veterans, family members of those killed in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong and the sinking of the warship Cheonan, and descendants of independence fighters.

"Over the past year, we have improved systems to better honor and provide better support for sacrifices for the nation," Lee said, pledging to fulfill the state's responsibility to protect the honor and lives of those in attendance.

"We will not stop our efforts to remember and pass down to future generations the value of honoring (meritorious people)," he added.

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