South Korea Celebrates Armed Forces Day with Focus on Self-Defense and Advanced Technology

The 78th Armed Forces Day ceremony took place on October 1 at Gyeryongdae, themed "Realizing Self-Defense! An Indispensable Military." The event showcased advanced military capabilities developed with domestic technology and honored the sacrifices of soldiers who died during the December 12 military coup.

President Lee Jae-myung delivered a speech during the ceremony, expressing condolences to soldiers injured in a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on September 21. He reiterated the government's commitment to easing military tensions between North and South Korea and urged North Korea to return to dialogue. Approximately 3,600 guests, including dignitaries, soldiers, families, and citizens, attended the event. This year, the ceremony was integrated with the Ground Forces Festival and Gyeryong Military Culture Festival, focusing on participation and experiences for both the public and military personnel.

The pre-ceremony events included Taekwondo demonstrations and traditional performances featuring both civilians and military personnel. The ceremony commenced with representatives from each military branch entering together, symbolizing that all soldiers are the protagonists in celebrating Armed Forces Day, regardless of rank or position.

Notably, the ceremony included the posthumous awarding of the Chungmu Medal of Military Merit to the late Colonel Kim O-rang and the late Sergeant Jeong Seon-yeop. Colonel Kim died protecting Special Forces Commander Jeong Byeong-joo during the 1979 coup, while Sergeant Jeong was killed defending a Ministry of National Defense underground post from rebel gunfire.

The highlight of the event was a demonstration of the laser anti-aircraft weapon "Cheonggwang," showcasing South Korea's self-defense capabilities in response to the rising threat of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, as seen in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The exhibition featured future military technologies, including AI-based swarm drones, anti-drone interception systems, and multipurpose unmanned vehicles. The post-ceremony events included aerial displays by rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as high-difficulty maneuvers by the Air Force's Black Eagles aerobatic team.

In his speech, President Lee reflected on the DMZ landmine explosion, stating, "It still pains my heart to think of our soldiers who were injured in this unfortunate incident." He emphasized the need to recognize that the ordinary lives we enjoy are built on the sacrifices of others and wished for the swift recovery of the injured soldiers while extending deep condolences to their families.

Regarding inter-Korean relations, President Lee stressed the importance of reducing tensions and rebuilding trust. He stated, "Trust is not built with a single statement. It is gradually established when words and actions align," and assured that the government would consistently implement practical measures to lower military tensions between the two Koreas.

He also expressed hope that North Korea would join in the efforts to restore trust and resume dialogue, stating, "We will patiently and steadily untangle the knots that have formed." However, he did not directly assign blame to North Korea regarding the landmine incident, contrasting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff's previous designation of North Korea's landmine placement as a violation of the armistice agreement and their call for an apology and accountability.

As President Lee reaffirmed the commitment to easing tensions, the options for military responses that could escalate tensions, such as resuming loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea, appear to be narrowing.

Meanwhile, the military plans to integrate future Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps events with Armed Forces Day, showcasing the unique characteristics and capabilities of each branch. Following the ceremony, programs will be held to facilitate communication between soldiers and the public through military cultural festivals and citizen experience centers.

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