Korea’s 75th Armed Forces Day falls on October 1.
This year, the official ceremony will be held on September 26 before the six-day Chuseok holiday starting on September 28.
The ceremony, scheduled to begin at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Kyunggi Province, will showcase South Korea’s new domestic weaponry, including KF-21 fighter jets, lightly armed helicopters and long-range surface-to-air missiles. Are included.
US F-35 aircraft. Photo: US Air Force
After that, a large-scale military parade will take place at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul at noon the same day. During the parade, the Air Force’s “Black Eagle” aerial demonstration squadron and Apache attack helicopters will fly overhead.
South Korea usually holds a military parade every five years to celebrate Armed Forces Day to showcase its firepower against North Korea.
The military parade was last held in 2013 under the administration of former President Park Geun-hye. This event was not held during the administration of former President Moon Jae-in.
An official said this year’s event would be themed “Strong Army, Strong Security and Peace Through Strength” to demonstrate the military’s determination to defend the country, in the context of Pyongyang’s increasingly provocative actions. A message can be sent to North Korea.
The same day, the US approved a $5 billion sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to South Korea amid rising tensions with North Korea.
According to Reuters news agency, the US State Department has greenlighted the sale of 25 aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin as well as engines and related equipment. According to a statement from the US State Department, the sale will improve South Korea’s ability to respond to current and future threats by providing credible defense capabilities, deterring incursions into the region, and ensuring the ability to cooperate with US forces. .
