[Full Text] President Moon's 73rd Armed Forces Day Commemorative Address

Respected citizens,

Beloved members of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces,

Pohang is the hometown of the Marines.

In July 1950, it was the site of the UN forces' first amphibious landing operation,

and the Marine Corps Education and Training Group, which every Marine passes through,

is located at Yeongil Bay.

For the first time in history,

we are holding the Armed Forces Day ceremony here at Yeongil Bay in Pohang together with the Marines.

The bravest landing force that only true warriors can be part of,

aboard the Marado ship that embodies the dreams of the first Marines,

it is a great honor to commemorate the development of our military.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Today, Mr. Lee Bong-sik, a first-generation Marine and Korean War veteran,

read the oath to the national flag,

showing us the living history of patriotism.

We pay our respects to Mr. Lee Bong-sik, who personally received the handwritten inscription "Invincible Marine" from President Syngman Rhee,

and we commend all Marines who willingly dedicated their youth at the forefront of protecting the "justice and freedom" of the Republic of Korea.

Thanks to the dedication of the patriotic spirits and war veterans,

the UN veterans, and the strong solidarity of the ROK-US alliance,

the Republic of Korea exists today.

We sincerely honor all those who have worked hard to create and maintain peace.

Citizens,

Marines,

our Marine Corps carries proud names as remarkable as its achievements and bravery.

In August 1950,

it became known as the "Ghost-Catching Marines" through the Tongyeong landing operation.

This was the first solo amphibious landing operation by the Korean military, successfully executed just one year after its establishment.

The name "Invincible Marine"

is an honorable title earned through victory in the Yanggu Dosolsan area battle.

Even now, from the northwestern five islands in the West Sea to the southernmost Jeju Island,

and beyond the Korean Peninsula as UN peacekeepers,

the Marines are always present wherever our people are.

Now, the Marine Corps

will spread its wings again after 48 years.

This December, with the establishment of the Aviation Unit,

our Marines will finally acquire three-dimensional attack capabilities and mobility.

They will respond with the highest capability in any situation

and perform missions perfectly anywhere.

During the preparation for the establishment of the Marine Aviation Unit,

we pray for the eternal rest of

the late Colonel Kim Jeong-il, late Lieutenant Colonel Noh Dong-hwan, late Sergeant Kim Jin-hwa,

late Staff Sergeant Kim Se-young, and late Private Park Jae-woo, who died in July 2018.

The bravery and pride of the Marines

are precious victories achieved through comradeship and sacrifice.

We will remember the dedication of the Marine heroes who created the myth of the "Invincible Marine"

in the name of the Republic of Korea.

Citizens,

last August, our military conducted the "Miracle Operation" in Afghanistan,

quickly and safely rescuing Afghan Special Contributors.

Under strict security, we coordinated closely with government agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Intelligence Service,

and even prepared baby bottles and formula for the children.

To bring back as many people as possible,

medical staff, security personnel, and crew members stood protecting the passengers throughout the flight.

The commander of the airborne flight squadron, who observed the activities of other countries' embassies and militaries in Afghanistan, said,

"I felt that the Republic of Korea has become much stronger than expected and continues to grow stronger today."

Although it was an untested operation with no guaranteed success,

the Republic of Korea demonstrated strong resilience without a single casualty.

Our defense capability

did not suddenly rise like a miracle one day.

It was achieved through the will of our citizens and soldiers to protect our land, sea, and sky with our own strength.

The dedication of our military to create a peaceful Korean Peninsula

has elevated our defense capability to the 6th strongest in the world today.

Since its inception, our government

has steadfastly pursued Defense Reform 2.0.

We have applied cutting-edge defense science and technology to weapon systems,

contributing also to the development of civilian industries.

Based on a strong ROK-US alliance,

we have completely abolished the "Missile Guidelines" maintained for 40 years,

developing and deploying much more powerful missiles.

The Navy is advancing toward becoming a blue-water navy by promoting a 30,000-ton light aircraft carrier project,

which will serve as a multipurpose military base anywhere in the vast ocean, following Aegis destroyers and submarines equipped with SLBMs.

The Air Force has completed the prototype of the next-generation Korean fighter jet KF21 using purely domestic technology.

"KF21, Boramae" will become the backbone of our Air Force with a flight speed of Mach 1.8 and a payload capacity of 7.7 tons of air-to-ground missiles.

Now, our armed forces

are leaping forward as a cutting-edge scientific and technological force based on the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

We are building an integrated air defense system and a manned-unmanned combined combat system using hyper-connected networks,

and advancing unmanned aerial power to perform various missions such as reconnaissance, communication relay, and attack.

Beyond "defense space development," we will open the era of "national space development" by advancing AI-based cyber warfare systems, reconnaissance satellites,

and solid propulsion technology for space launch vehicles without hesitation.

The ROK and the US have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the combined defense posture

and the transfer of wartime operational control,

and we are rapidly meeting the conditions for the transfer.

Today, we will present the "Peacemaker" landing operation to the public

using only our military power.

In the future joint operations conducted by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps,

you will witness the strong security power that protects our nation.

The public will be able to fully recognize the reliable appearance of our armed forces.

Members of the Armed Forces,

The government is doing its utmost to build a power

that no one can shake and comprehensive security capabilities that no one can challenge.

The government has submitted a defense budget of

a total of 55.2 trillion won to the National Assembly for next year.

This is a 37% increase compared to 2017.

In particular, the budget for R&D to develop core advanced technology and next-generation weapons

has been significantly increased to 4.9 trillion won,

and virtual reality and augmented reality simulation training systems for practical training have also been expanded.

Efforts to actively foster the domestic defense industry

are also included in the budget proposal.

Above all, the state's responsibility for our youth has been strengthened.

The pay for a private first class will be raised to 676,000 won.

This will fulfill the promise to match the minimum wage level as of 2017.

The daily meal cost has also increased to 11,000 won.

The reduction of the 18-month service period will be completed by this December.

The government's efforts for the peace and security of the Republic of Korea and the welfare of soldiers

have achieved considerable results.

The military itself is also undergoing intensive reforms.

Through amendments to the Military Court Act,

the right to transparent and fair investigation and trial has been institutionally guaranteed.

The core of military innovation is "human rights."

Comradeship formed through mutual respect for human rights

is the nourishment for military morale and combat power.

Soldiers are doing their best to fulfill their missions with a sense of duty to protect the homeland.

We hope you remember that innovating with a resolute determination for military human rights

is the shortcut to becoming a strong military.

Respected citizens,

Beloved members of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces,

Last August, the return of General Hong Beom-do, the Commander-in-Chief of the Korean Independence Army, was realized.

Last week, we welcomed home sixty-eight heroes, including

the Battle of Chosin Reservoir heroes, late Private Kim Seok-ju and late Private Jeong Hwan-jo.

The country that heroes dreamed of

will be a nation overflowing with peace and prosperity.

Even at this moment, we are advancing hand in hand with the world

toward the country that heroes dreamed of.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Republic of Korea's membership in the United Nations.

We have protected freedom and peace together with the UN,

and now we fulfill our responsibilities as a member of the international community.

Two years after joining the UN, in 1993,

we dispatched an engineering battalion to Somalia as UN peacekeepers for the first time.

Currently, the Dongmyeong Unit in Lebanon, the Cheonghae Unit in Somali waters,

the Aegis Unit in the United Arab Emirates, and the Hanbit Unit in South Sudan

are active worldwide.

Today, the flags of nineteen dispatched units

proudly fluttered in the sky of Pohang along with high-altitude parachuting.

We extend our comfort and encouragement to the deployed soldiers and their families who are quietly fulfilling their duties.

I trust our military.

I take pride in our strong security posture.

Based on this trust and pride,

I have proposed to the international community a new era of "end-of-war declaration" and "reconciliation and cooperation" on the Korean Peninsula.

The first and greatest responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

is to create and maintain lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

This is also the mission of our military.

The government and military will respond firmly

to any acts that threaten the lives and safety of the people.

We ask the citizens to support our brave soldiers

with greater trust and love.

We will surely create complete peace together with our military.

Thank you.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.