First military show in ten years
South Korea lets the military parade in Seoul
September 26, 2023, 3:47 p.m
The war between North and South Korea has not officially ended for more than 70 years. There is only a ceasefire – interspersed with tensions that are currently growing again. Now South Korea is hosting a major military parade in Seoul for the first time in ten years.
Amid growing tensions with North Korea, South Korea held a major military parade for the first time in ten years, demonstrating strength. Around 4,000 soldiers took part in the military show in the capital Seoul, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said. Modern weapons systems including rockets, cruise missiles and military drones were also presented. The reason for the postponed military parade was the 75th Armed Forces Day, which falls on October 1st.
Despite the rain, many people watched the parade through the metropolis of millions.
(Photo: picture alliance / Matrix Images)
Before the parade began, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned neighboring North Korea against using nuclear weapons in a conflict at a ceremony at a military air base south of Seoul. In such a case, “the regime will be brought to an end by an overwhelming response from South Korea’s alliance with the United States,” Yoon said.
In doing so, he followed the military strategy of the USA. The Pentagon presented it almost a year ago. The strategy contains, among other things, a warning to North Korea that the government of leader Kim Jong Un would not survive the use of nuclear weapons against the USA or its partners. North Korea, which the United States considers hostile, is subject to international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program.
Some of the US soldiers stationed there also took part in the military parade in Seoul.
(Photo: picture alliance/dpa/AP)
300 of the 28,500 US soldiers stationed in South Korea also marched in the military parade. Although it was raining, large crowds followed the procession of soldiers and military vehicles through the center of the metropolis of ten million people.
The heavy weapons on display also included battle tanks and other armored vehicles as well as artillery. Because of the weather, the organizers decided not to hold a flight demonstration with fighter jets and other aircraft.