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A Soldier’s Request Brings Music to a Front-Line Island
A military concert was held Nov. 4 for South Korean Marines stationed on Yeonpyeong Island, marking the first performance there by KFN TV’s long-running “Consolation Train” program since 2011.
The two-hour show began at 4 p.m. at Yeonpyeong Sports Stadium and drew about 1,000 service members and local residents. Singers Kim Jang-hoon and So Yu-mi were among the performers.
Yeonpyeong is one of South Korea’s northwestern islands near the Northern Limit Line, the western maritime boundary with North Korea. Its remote location has made it difficult for troops there to attend cultural events.
The concert grew out of President Lee Jae Myung’s June 24 visit to the Marine unit, his first trip to the northwestern islands after taking office. During a meeting with service members, a Marine nearing the end of his enlistment said he had never seen a cultural performance on Yeonpyeong and asked whether junior troops could at least see a “Consolation Train” show. Lee directed officials to examine whether a performance could be arranged.
Sharing news of the concert on X on Nov. 7, Lee said he was grateful that the Marine had thought first of those serving after him. He said the government would listen to the wishes of individual service members and work to fulfill them one by one.
A Military Entertainment Tradition
Produced by the Defense Media Agency for KFN TV, “Consolation Train” is a traveling entertainment program that visits South Korean military bases. The Defense Ministry said the program began in 1962 and has staged more than 3,000 performances.
Demand from military units exceeds the number of available shows, the ministry said, limiting visits to islands and other isolated posts. Bae Jong-ho, head of the Defense Media Agency, said the agency plans to expand performances at remote bases so more service members can attend.
During his June visit, Lee also pledged to improve conditions for troops, saying the public’s daily security rests on their sacrifice and dedication and that those making exceptional sacrifices deserve exceptional compensation.
Lee thanked the production team for making the long trip to Yeonpyeong and said he hoped the music and cheers would become a happy memory for the Marines and residents.
Performer Treats Marines to Dinner
After the show, Kim Jang-hoon wrote on Facebook that he encountered Marines while eating samgyeopsal, Korea’s popular grilled pork belly, and picked up their dinner bill. Kim said he regretted that he could not buy meals for all 700 service members and wished them a healthy and safe completion of their military service.
KFN TV is scheduled to broadcast the Yeonpyeong concert Nov. 15. “Consolation Train” regularly airs Sundays at 11 a.m.
Lee Highlights Exports and Busan Tourism
In separate social media posts the same day, Lee said South Korean sweet persimmons would be exported to China for the first time after 17 years of quarantine negotiations. He said access to China would broaden an export market previously concentrated in Southeast Asia and create new opportunities for farmers.
Lee also shared Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo’s message that the southern port city was approaching 4 million foreign visitors. Lee said Busan should reclaim its status as South Korea’s second capital and pledged government support for efforts to develop it as a global maritime hub.
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