President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Historic Visit to the Netherlands: Honoring Martyrs and Strengthening Ties

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol Visits the Netherlands, Honors Historical Moments

During his state visit to the Netherlands, President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the Leader’s Hall and the Hague envoy memorial hall, leaving a shining moment in Dutch history.

On the 13th local time, President Yoon Suk-yeol and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited the Leader’s Hall in The Hague while on their state visit to the Netherlands. President Yoon and Prime Minister Rutte visited the Leader’s Hall located in the Peace Palace in The Hague. This building is the place where the Second Hague Peace Conference was held 116 years ago, and it was the first time President Yoon visited the Second Hague Peace Conference Hall and the Hague envoy memorial hall.

At that time, Emperor Gojong dispatched envoy Lee Jun and others as envoys to announce the illegality of the Eulsa Treaty, but due to Japanese interference, they were even denied attendance at the conference. Lee Jun was later martyred in The Hague, and Emperor Gojong was forced to abdicate.

President Yoon and Prime Minister Rutte visited the exhibition related to the Second Hague Peace Conference, paying tribute to the patriotic spirit and noble intentions of the martyrs who dedicated themselves to the restoration of national sovereignty and independence.

President Yoon Suk-yeol Visits Lee Jun Memorial Hall

President Yoon visited the Lee Jun Memorial Hall and explored the room and bed used by the martyr, as well as the letter of appointment presented by Emperor Gojong. The Lee Jun Memorial Hall was established at the De Young Hotel and has been operated by the Lee Jun Academy since 1995.

President Yoon Suk-yeol Attends Meeting with Korean War Veterans

After returning to the Netherlands, President Yoon attended a meeting with King Willem-Alexander and Korean War veterans. The meeting was attended by Korean War veterans and relatives of Lieutenant Den Aouden from the Netherlands. President Yoon expressed his condolences to them and presented the “Uniform of Heroes” to 93-year-old veteran Kurt Leber.

President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Tribute at State Banquet

President Yoon, at the state banquet, mentioned that “over 120 Dutch soldiers lost their lives in the Korean War” and that their noble sacrifice and dedication laid the foundation for South Korea’s freedom, democracy, and prosperity.

Source: Kyunghyang Shinmun