Yoon Marches in the Rain: "The People's Army Holds the Duty of Freedom and Security"

Demonstrating Integrated Military Capabilities in Downtown Seoul Parade
President Yoon's First Attendance at National Armed Forces Day Parade
"Majestic March... Reassuring Confidence in Security"

President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 26th joined soldiers and citizens in the National Armed Forces Day parade, stating, "Our military is the people's military," and added, "It holds the responsibility to guarantee the people's freedom and safety." He urged the public to trust the military and also delivered a message of encouragement to the troops.

On the same day, after presiding over the 75th National Armed Forces Day commemorative event at Seoul Airport in the morning, President Yoon personally participated in the parade that took place from Sungnyemun to Gwanghwamun in the afternoon, making these remarks.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is reviewing the troops at the '75th Anniversary of the Founding of the Armed Forces National Armed Forces Day Ceremony' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province on the morning of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps

This is the first time that the integrated capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force have been showcased in a parade in the heart of Seoul. A presidential office official explained, "Our military, which successfully executed the Incheon Landing Operation during the Korean War and raised the Taegeukgi flag atop the Central Government Building to reclaim Seoul, has today grown into the world's strongest military, proudly demonstrating its overwhelming might."

This is also the first time that a president has joined the National Armed Forces Day parade alongside the public and soldiers. At the event, President Yoon said, "I am pleased to show our sovereign people your gallant and courageous appearance today," adding, "I believe the people have watched your dignified victory march and have come to trust you and hold a firm belief in our national security."

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a commemorative speech at the 75th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do on the morning of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps

In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance, the parade featured the largest-ever participation of US Forces Korea, demonstrating the solid Korea-US combined defense posture both domestically and internationally. Previously, only the USFK honor guard and military band participated, but this event included combat unit personnel and equipment as well. It also served as an exhibition of the latest developed equipment. The parade showcased cutting-edge domestically developed equipment based on advanced science and technology, including the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM), a core component of Korea's three-axis defense system, and the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH), a next-generation indigenous light attack helicopter.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is attending the 75th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do on the morning of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Earlier, at the commemorative event held at Seoul Airport in the morning, President Yoon stated, "If North Korea uses nuclear weapons, the Korea-US alliance will decisively respond to end the North Korean regime." With the security cooperation system with the United States reaching its highest level through this year's Korea-US summit and Korea-US-Japan summit, he expressed his determination to maintain peace through strength based on a powerful defense capability. He warned North Korea, saying, "They must clearly understand that nuclear weapons will not protect their own survival."

He also expressed his resolve to respond through strong defense capabilities and security alliances. President Yoon pledged, "If North Korea uses nuclear weapons, the Korea-US alliance will decisively respond to end the North Korean regime," adding, "The government will further strengthen Korea-US-Japan security cooperation based on the firm Korea-US alliance and will closely cooperate with allied countries to establish a strong security posture."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is reviewing the troops at the '75th Anniversary of the Founding of the Armed Forces National Armed Forces Day Ceremony' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province on the morning of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps

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