Yoon Reviews 'Hyunmoo-5' Unveiled for the First Time
US Strategic Bomber B-1B Deployed... Demonstrating Alliance
"North Korea Threatens Peace on the Korean Peninsula and Worldwide"
"Strengthening ROK-US-Japan Cooperation Based on the ROK-US Alliance"
"Strategic Command, a Core Unit Protecting the People"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is giving a salute after delivering a commemorative speech at the 76th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at Seongnam Seoul Airport on the 1st. [Photo by Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 1st, "If North Korea attempts to use nuclear weapons, it will face a resolute and overwhelming response from our military and the ROK-US alliance," emphasizing, "That day will be the day of the North Korean regime's demise."
In his congratulatory speech at the 76th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, President Yoon said, "Our military will immediately retaliate against North Korea's provocations based on strong combat capabilities and a firm state of readiness."
The ceremony was attended by over 5,300 personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, along with more than 340 pieces of equipment. Upon arriving at Seoul Air Base, President Yoon greeted key military officials and shook hands with National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joo Ho-young, People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, and floor leader Choo Kyung-ho. First Lady Kim Keon-hee, dressed in a black suit, also appeared alongside him.
President Yoon presented the newly established Strategic Command unit flag to Strategic Commander Jin Young-seung, then inspected the troops and equipment in order, riding in the first inspection vehicle with Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. The newly unveiled heavy high-power ballistic missile Hyunmoo-5 was also inspected for the first time that day.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is greeting spectators after reviewing the troops with Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun at the 76th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at Seongnam Seoul Airport on the 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
"North Korea Clings to Path of Collapse... Must Abandon Nuclear Delusions"
In his commemorative address, President Yoon pointed out, "While we have walked the path of freedom, prosperity, and world peace, the North Korean regime stubbornly clings to regression and collapse," adding, "It pursues only power succession, ignoring the miserable lives of its people while threatening us with nuclear weapons and missiles."
He continued, "They have carried out lowly provocations such as trash balloons and GPS jamming attacks, and have even denied unification by asserting the theory of two hostile states," further stating, "Moreover, through illegal arms deals with Russia, they are violating international norms and threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula and worldwide. The North Korean regime must abandon the delusion that nuclear weapons protect it, even now."
President Yoon explained, "Since the Washington Declaration last April, the ROK-US alliance has been upgraded to a genuine nuclear-based alliance," and added, "We are building integrated extended deterrence centered on the ROK-US Nuclear Consultative Group."
He also emphasized, "For the first time in over 40 years, a U.S. strategic nuclear submarine has visited Korea, and a B-52 strategic bomber has landed on the Korean Peninsula," noting, "The U.S.'s strong extended deterrence commitment is being realized through action. The government will further strengthen ROK-US-Japan security cooperation based on the solid ROK-US alliance and closely cooperate with the international community to reinforce our security posture more firmly and resolutely."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is giving a salute to the armed forces personnel at the 76th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at Seongnam Seoul Airport on the 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
"Defense Innovation Through Advanced Science and Technology... Improving Service Conditions for Soldiers"
President Yoon said, "With Russia's invasion of Ukraine ongoing and the Middle East situation worsening, the global security environment is rapidly changing," adding, "In this situation, to become a stronger military, we must achieve defense innovation based on advanced science and technology."
To this end, President Yoon stated, "We will further strengthen defense research and development to lead future battlefields with AI-based manned-unmanned combined systems and in the domains of space, cyber, and electronic warfare," and "We will also drastically shorten the procedures for weapon system development and acquisition."
He added, "Building a strong military starts with the morale of the soldiers," and said, "We will continue to improve all aspects of service conditions, including food, clothing, shelter, and medical systems, so that soldiers can take pride and focus on their missions. We will ensure treatment worthy of their dedication to the nation so that they can take pride in their military uniforms."
President Yoon urged, "Young soldiers must have a firm sense of national identity and an adversary perspective," and requested, "Please do your best to ensure that soldiers unite with strong mental armament and comradeship and are trained through practical education."
He added, "False peace relying on the enemy's goodwill is nothing but a mirage," emphasizing, "Human history proves that strengthening our power so that the enemy cannot dare to challenge us is the only way to maintain peace."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is reviewing the military units from an inspection vehicle along with Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun at the Armed Forces Day ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the armed forces, held on the 1st at Seongnam Seoul Airport. [Image source=Yonhap News]
"K-Defense Industry as a National Strategic Industry... Strategic Command as a Core Unit"
President Yoon emphasized, "During the Korean War, our military did not have a single proper weapon, but now we produce cutting-edge fighter jets with our own hands, develop military reconnaissance satellites and high-performance missiles, and directly build world-class warships and submarines," adding, "Now, the K-defense industry has become a national strategic industry that firmly supports national security and the economy."
He also mentioned the Strategic Command established as of that day. President Yoon said, "We have finally established the Strategic Command, which integrates our military's advanced conventional capabilities with the U.S.'s extended deterrence capabilities," and added, "Going forward, the Strategic Command will be a core unit that firmly protects the nation and its people from North Korea's nuclear and weapons of mass destruction threats."
President Yoon said, "I ask the people to give unwavering support and encouragement so that our military can dedicate itself to the nation without wavering," and stated, "As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I have full trust in the soldiers of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is passing in front of the 'Hyunmoo-5' missile mobile launcher, unveiled for the first time that day, during the inspection at the 76th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on the morning of the 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
'Monster Missile' Hyunmoo-5 Unveiled for the First Time... Warning to North Korea
Following President Yoon's commemorative speech, the 'Resolution to Defend the Homeland' event was held. The program included F-15K sorties, tactical maneuvers of air power, Taekwondo demonstrations by special forces soldiers, mass parachute jumps, and joint high-altitude jumps by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. President Yoon responded with a salute to the joint parachute team's mission completion report after their high-altitude jump. The event then proceeded with rotary-wing aircraft leading flights, followed by foot troops, manned-unmanned combined combat systems, equipment units, the three-axis system, and fixed-wing aircraft in order.
Notably, the military showcased the ultra-high-power ballistic missile Hyunmoo-5, known as the 'monster missile,' for the first time. With a warhead weight of 8 tons, the Hyunmoo-5 is designed to destroy underground bunkers where North Korean leadership hides. It is one of the means of the Korean-style three-axis system's massive retaliation (KMPR).
The three-axis system is a concept combining the kill chain, which detects missile launch signs in advance and eliminates them before launch, the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD), and massive retaliation. The unveiling of the Hyunmoo-5 on Armed Forces Day appears to be a warning against North Korea's recent complex provocations.
Additionally, the U.S. supersonic long-range strategic bomber B-1B flew sorties that day, showcasing the ROK-US alliance. The B-1B is the U.S. Air Force's main bomber, capable of carpet bombing enemies and possessing stealth and supersonic flight capabilities to evade North Korean air defenses. It is considered a strategic weapon feared by North Korea.
President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife Kim Keon-hee salute the national flag at the 76th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at Seongnam Seoul Airport on the 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Han Dong-hoon: "We Will Cherish Veterans and Soldiers Like Our Lives"
The ceremony was attended by key military officials including Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Myung-soo, and Commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command Paul LaCamera, as well as Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, Constitutional Court Chief Justice Lee Jong-seok, Chairman of the National Election Commission Noh Tae-ak, and Vice Chairman of the Defense Innovation Committee Kim Kwan-jin.
About 1,200 invited guests including Korean War veterans and their descendants, personnel recognized for local conflicts and current operations, reservists, and veterans organizations, along with approximately 5,100 members of the public, attended. From the National Assembly, Speaker Woo Won-shik, Deputy Speaker Joo Ho-young, People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, floor leader Choo Kyung-ho, and Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae were present.
Leader Han said on his social media that morning, "I will tirelessly and persistently pursue politics that cherishes the veterans and soldiers who protect the Republic of Korea as if they were my own life," adding, "We must improve the treatment of those who fulfill their national defense duties through sacrifice and dedication and provide all possible honors we can."
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