<건군 76주년 국군의날 시가 행진 주관
Yoon "Armed Forces Personnel, Foundation of Free Republic of Korea"
First Ever Patriotic Hero and Bereaved Families Car Parade>
On the 1st, during the 76th Armed Forces Day military parade, K2 tanks marched towards Gwanghwamun on Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol presided over a parade in the Gwanghwamun area of Seoul on the 1st to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the armed forces and Armed Forces Day. About 3,000 troops from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and United States Forces Korea, along with more than 80 pieces of equipment, participated. President Yoon encouraged the soldiers, saying, "As the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, I have infinite trust in all of you, the service members."
This parade was held along the route from Seoul Plaza to Gwanghwamun, continuing from last year. The event began with performances by the military band, traditional music band, and honor guard. The disciplined appearance of the armed forces honor guard drew cheers and applause from the citizens present.
Before the parade, a car parade featuring war heroes and their families was held for the first time in history. War hero Ryu Jae-sik, a Korean War veteran, and Sergeant Ha Jae-heon, who lost both legs due to a North Korean landmine provocation, among others, arrived at the congratulatory stage after the car parade. President Yoon personally welcomed them with handshakes and joined them on the stage.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is applauding with national defense heroes and their families on the viewing stage in front of the King Sejong the Great statue during the Armed Forces Day parade held around Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 1st. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Following this, the parade of equipment units and foot soldiers who had participated in the morning's commemorative event at Seoul Airport began, starting with a fixed-wing aircraft formation flight. In this equipment unit parade, family members of soldiers operating the equipment specially rode on the ground vehicles. Many citizens present cheered and applauded the troops as they passed by. President Yoon, wearing sunglasses, reviewed the marching soldiers and applauded them.
After the equipment and foot soldier parade, President Yoon descended from the stage and marched together with war heroes, invited guests, and citizens to the Gwanghwamun Woldae. A large Taegeukgi (Korean national flag) accompanied the march. The granddaughter of the late Platoon Leader Park Jeong-mo of the Marine Corps 2nd Division, who led the recapture of Seoul on September 28 during the Korean War, and the current platoon leader of the Marine Corps 2nd Division held the large Taegeukgi together.
When President Yoon and the large Taegeukgi arrived at the Gwanghwamun Woldae, the Air Force's special flight team, the Black Eagles, performed a commemorative flight. At this time, the large Taegeukgi was suspended by balloons and floated over Gwanghwamun. The Presidential Office explained, "This moment reenacts the recapture of Seoul, which had been taken by North Korea after the outbreak of the Korean War, when the Marine Corps recaptured Seoul and raised the Taegeukgi on September 28, 1950."
On the 1st, the military color guard of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces marched on Sejong-daero, Seoul, during the 76th Armed Forces Day parade. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon took the stage and said, "I believe the people have also confirmed our military's solid security posture and feel reassured," adding, "You, the service members, are the strong foundation of the free Republic of Korea."
He continued, "Thanks to you, the people can engage in economic and social activities with peace of mind," and said, "I know better than anyone the sweat and dedication you put in. I will do my best to ensure that the state fully supports you with assistance and treatment commensurate with your efforts." The parade concluded with a performance by the Black Eagles.
The Armed Forces Day parade was held for the second consecutive year following its revival last year on the 75th anniversary after a 10-year hiatus. This is the first time in 40 years since the Chun Doo-hwan administration that the Armed Forces Day parade has been held two years in a row. President Yoon participated in the parade last year as the first sitting president to do so and took part again this year.
War veterans and their descendants joined the event. From the military, Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Myung-soo, and United States Forces Korea Commander Paul LaCamera attended. From the Presidential Office, National Security Office Director Shin Won-sik, Deputy Director of the National Security Office In Seong-hwan, and Defense Secretary Choi Byung-ok were present to encourage the troops.
On the 1st, during the 76th Armed Forces Day military parade held on Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, citizens wave their hands at the K-2 tank marching down the street. [Image source=Yonhap News]
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