Just another sign that times are a changing in South Korea:

Starting this year the central government will assume responsibility for the annual memorial service for the victims of the West Sea Battle of June 2002. The new president is expected to attend.

According to the Defense Ministry, the Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs, and president-elect Lee Myung-bak’s Transition Committee on Monday, the annual memorial service, which is currently handled by the commander of the Navy’s 2nd Fleet, will be taken over by the government beginning this June and treatment of the victims will be improved. [Chosun Ilbo]

It still amazes me how Roh Moo-hyun has ignored the deaths of these ROK sailors, has never even attended one memorial ceremony in their honor, and his aides have even insulted the sailors for defending Korean territory until their deaths. In fact Americans in Massachusetts have done more to honor the memory of these braves sailor than the current Korean president has after five years in office. The treatment of these veterans that gave their life defending Korean territory, has been truly disgraceful these past five years and president-elect Lee Myung-bak should be commended for quickly rectifying this travesty.

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