South Korea has observed the fourth Friday of March as a day of remembrance, holding annual ceremonies since 2016 to honor victims of naval incidents and skirmishes with North Korea including a naval battle near the border island of Yeonpyeong in June 2002, the sinking of the corvette Cheonan in March 2010, and the shelling of the same island in November 2010.
About 1,500 people attended including President Lee Jae Myung, the bereaved families of the fallen sailors, their surviving crewmembers, military officials and war veterans as well as residents of five northernmost islands near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), a de facto maritime border with North Korea.
In his speech, Lee vowed, "The sacrifices of those who died defending the country will not be forgotten."
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