Deputy veterans secretary of Virginia congratulates S. Korean vice veterans minister on appointment

▲ This image, provided by Seoul's veterans ministry on Dec. 14, 2023, shows a letter sent by Jason Pak, deputy secretary of veterans and defense affairs of Virginia, to South Korean Vice Veterans Minister Lee Hee-wan. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

US state official-vice veterans minister

Deputy veterans secretary of Virginia congratulates S. Korean vice veterans minister on appointment

SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Yonhap) -- The deputy veterans secretary of Virginia has sent a letter to South Korea's new Vice Veterans Minister Lee Hee-wan to congratulate him on his appointment, Seoul's veterans ministry said Thursday.

Jason Pak, the deputy secretary of veterans and defense affairs of Virginia, hailed Lee's appointment in the letter dated last Friday. Pak had met Lee in Washington in April for an event commemorating the service of wounded South Korean veterans during President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to the United States.

Lee, a former Navy captain, lost his right leg during the 2002 inter-Korean naval skirmish near the western border island of Yeonpyeong after being hit by a North Korean shell. The fight left six South Koreans killed and 18 wounded, while some 30 North Koreans were presumed to have been killed or wounded.

"Your dedication and commitment to serving veterans will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the welfare and well-being of those who have bravely served the country," Pak wrote.

Pak, a Korean American veteran of the war in Afghanistan, lost both his legs and two fingers from an improvised explosive device blast while on patrol in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service.

Lee took office Monday after being named to the post on Dec. 6.

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