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Oct. 1 is Korea's Armed Forces Day, and as this year also marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the military, mass celebrations were held in Seoul.
The Army, Navy and Air Force joined together at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul earlier in the day, with President Lee Myung-bak, top military commanders and domestic and foreign Korean War veterans in attendance.
In his speech, President Lee, the Supreme Commander, thanked the troops and urged the military to expand their role in protecting the country. "We cannot be content with our current position. It is crucial that our military assimilate the changing security situation around the globe. Korean Forces must be reborn as a stronger, more advanced military,Ħħ he said.
After the ceremony, military forces held a grand parade for the first time since 2003. On display were a wide range of cutting-edge weapons including a first appearance for a K-2 Black Panther tank.
A re-enactment on a main street in Seoul recalled the historic day when troops crossed the 38th parallel in pursuit of the fleeing North Korean Forces in the early part of the Korean War. Honor guards and military bands lined the streets, with some 350 officers wearing their old uniforms to visually demonstrate the history of the forces.
The Korean Army was formed after the establishment of the government in 1948 and over the past six decades has grown into one of the top defense forces in the world in terms of manpower and equipment, with roughly 680,000 troops and the ninth largest defense budget.
Arirang News
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