West Sea Defense Day — Remembering Those Who Defended the West Sea
Every year, the fourth Friday of March is West Sea Defense Day. We look back on the meaning of this day, honoring the 55 heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, the sinking of ROKS Cheonan, and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.
What Is West Sea Defense Day?
West Sea Defense Day falls on the fourth Friday of March each year. It is a legally designated memorial day in South Korea established to honor and remember the military personnel who sacrificed their lives due to North Korean provocations in the West Sea (Yellow Sea).
The government officially designated it as a memorial day in 2016, and a memorial ceremony is held every year under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defense.
Why the Fourth Friday of March?
Among the three major North Korean provocations in the West Sea, the sinking of ROKS Cheonan (March 26, 2010) occurred in March. This sacrifice was placed at the center of the day, while also commemorating the victims of the other two incidents together.
Three Provocations That Stained the West Sea
1. The Second Battle of Yeonpyeong (June 29, 2002)
On June 29, 2002, during the height of the Korea-Japan World Cup, a North Korean patrol boat launched a surprise attack without warning on the South Korean Navy high-speed patrol craft PKM-357 near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea.
- Killed in action: Lieutenant Commander Yoon Young-ha and 5 others
- Wounded: 18
- PKM-357 ultimately sank
At the time, South Korea was in celebration over the World Cup semifinal miracle. On that day of joy, six young men lost their lives defending their country at sea. The average age of those killed was 23 years old.
2. The Sinking of ROKS Cheonan (March 26, 2010)
At 9:22 PM on March 26, 2010, near Baengnyeong Island, the Navy corvette ROKS Cheonan (PCC-772) was sunk by a torpedo launched from a North Korean submarine.
- Killed in action: 46
- 58 of 104 crew members rescued
- The ship broke in two and sank
The salvaged torpedo propulsion section bore a clear North Korean marking reading "No. 1." A multinational joint investigation team concluded that the sinking was caused by an underwater explosion from a North Korean CHT-02D torpedo.
The Cheonan is at the heart of the West Sea Defense Day commemorations. 46 lives — each name belonging to someone's son, husband, or father.
3. The Shelling of Yeonpyeong Island (November 23, 2010)
Eight months after the Cheonan sinking, at 2:34 PM on November 23, 2010, North Korea fired approximately 170 rounds of coastal artillery and rockets at Yeonpyeong Island. It was the first time since the 1953 Armistice Agreement that shells had fallen on a civilian residential area.
- Killed in action: Marines Sergeant Seo Jeong-woo and Private Moon Gwang-wook — 2
- Civilian deaths: 2
- Wounded: 16 military, 3 civilian
- Numerous homes and military facilities damaged
When the shelling began, Yeonpyeong residents rushed to shelters. Flames rose across the island, and South Korean citizens watching the scenes on television trembled with fear that war had broken out again.
55 Names
Across the three incidents, a total of 55 military personnel and civilians lost their lives.
| Incident | Date | Casualties |
|---|---|---|
| Second Battle of Yeonpyeong | 2002.06.29 | 6 military |
| Sinking of ROKS Cheonan | 2010.03.26 | 46 military |
| Shelling of Yeonpyeong Island | 2010.11.23 | 2 military + 2 civilian |
| Total | 55 |
West Sea Defense Day exists so that they are remembered as names, not just numbers.
Why We Must Remember
The West Sea remains a sea where tensions never cease. Every day, our military stands guard across the Northern Limit Line (NLL).
Peace does not maintain itself. Because someone stands watch on that sea and on that island, we are able to live our daily lives.
West Sea Defense Day is the day we remember those 'someones.'
"Remembering those who gave their lives for their country — that is how we keep the peace."
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