How is South Korea Commemorating the 77th Armed Forces Day?
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Synopsis
On October 1, 2023, South Korea held a subdued ceremony for the 77th Armed Forces Day, significantly impacted by the previous year's martial law incident. With a focus on community involvement and easing tensions with North Korea, the event featured military showcases instead of a large-scale parade.
Key Takeaways
- Event scaled down following last year's martial law incident.
- 998 troops participated, a significant reduction from previous years.
- Focus on community engagement with civic representatives involved.
- Showcase of key military assets, including advanced weaponry.
- Budget for this year was 2.7 billion won, significantly lower than last year's.
Seoul, Oct 1 (NationPress) On Wednesday, South Korea conducted a ceremony to honor the 77th anniversary of its armed forces with a scaled-back event following the controversial martial law attempt of the previous year. The Armed Forces Day celebration was held at the military headquarters in Gyeryong, located approximately 145 kilometers south of Seoul, featuring 998 troops and around 100 military assets, as reported by the defense ministry.
This year's festivities were notably subdued, omitting the grand military parade that took place in downtown Seoul last year due to the fallout from the martial law incident linked to the now-incarcerated former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Despite the absence of a parade, the military showcased key weaponry at the ceremony, including the 230-mm Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher, the K9 self-propelled howitzer, and the KAAV amphibious assault vehicle.
Additionally, several military assets were unveiled to the public for the first time, such as a domestically developed bomb disposal robot and a low observable Wingman unmanned aerial vehicle currently in development.
In the morning, formation flights by a fleet of fighter jets and helicopters adorned the skies, concluding with a performance by the Air Force's Black Eagles aerobatic team.
Traditionally, a military parade occurs every five years to commemorate Armed Forces Day. However, during the previous Yoon administration, large-scale parades were held for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024, seemingly as a show of military strength.
The defense ministry's decision to significantly reduce this year's celebrations aligns with President Lee Jae Myung's administration's initiative to ease tensions with North Korea and foster a trusted military, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
This year, only 998 troops participated, a mere fraction of the approximately 5,000 troops involved last year. Likewise, the number of military assets deployed dropped from about 340 to around 100.
In terms of budget, the ministry allocated 2.7 billion won ($1.9 million) for this year's event, which is one-third of the 7.2 billion won budget from last year.
Reflecting this year's theme of creating a military that serves the populace, the ministry invited 77 civic representatives, including distinguished individuals, to participate in various performances, including a taekwondo demonstration alongside troops.
Point of View
I affirm that South Korea's approach to commemorating its Armed Forces Day this year reflects a significant shift towards peace and community engagement. The scaled-back event indicates a thoughtful response to past controversies and a commitment to building a more trustworthy military in the eyes of the public.
NationPress
01/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Armed Forces Day event scaled down this year?
This year's Armed Forces Day was scaled down due to the fallout from the previous year's martial law attempt, reflecting a new administration's focus on easing tensions with North Korea.
What military assets were showcased during the event?
The ceremony featured key weaponry such as the 230-mm Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher, K9 self-propelled howitzer, and the KAAV amphibious assault vehicle.
How many troops participated in this year's event?
A total of 998 troops participated in the Armed Forces Day ceremony, significantly less than the approximately 5,000 troops involved last year.
What was the budget for this year's Armed Forces Day?
The defense ministry allocated 2.7 billion won ($1.9 million) for this year's event, which is one-third of the budget from the previous year.
What theme was emphasized during this year's celebrations?
This year's theme focused on creating a military that caters to the people, with civic representatives invited to participate in performances.
