The Defense Ministry will hold the 78th Armed Forces Day ceremony on October 1 at the Gyeryongdae airstrip in Chungnam. This year's event will focus on the theme 'Realizing Self-Defense! An Indispensable Military.' The aim is to showcase the military's self-defense capabilities and its commitment to earning the trust of the public, while also presenting a vision for an AI-based advanced military.
Approximately 4,000 people, including citizens and military personnel, are expected to attend. The program will be structured around three main themes: realizing self-defense, earning public trust, and establishing an indispensable military based on AI.
The event will feature traditional music performances, a joint military-civilian taekwondo demonstration, aerial displays by the Air Force's Black Eagles, and exhibitions of K-defense weapon systems that incorporate AI and advanced technology.
The ceremony will take place at the Gyeryongdae airstrip, which is also hosting the '2026 Ground Forces Festival and Gyeryong Military Culture Festival,' the largest military cultural festival in the country. This location was chosen to enhance communication and unity with the public.
This event is part of the government's four-year plan for Armed Forces Day celebrations. It aims to sequentially hold commemorative events each year in conjunction with major military events, including the Army Ground Forces Festival, Air Force Air Show, Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX), Navy International Fleet Review, and Marine Corps events.
The Defense Ministry plans to ensure continuity and development of the event while minimizing large-scale equipment mobilization and troop deployment, gradually presenting the government's defense policies and security vision to the public.
In the lead-up to Armed Forces Day in September and October, around 20 security and cultural events organized by the Defense Ministry and the Army, Navy, and Air Force will also take place, including the Ground Forces Festival, the Incheon Landing Operation victory ceremony, the Sacheon Air Show, and the Navy's National Defense Music Concert.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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