The government’s plan to hold a large-scale military parade in downtown Seoul on Oct. 1, Armed Forces Day, for the second consecutive year is drawing mixed reactions from the public.
Some view it as a necessary demonstration of military strength amid North Korea’s escalating threats, while critics question whether such displays of military might — often associated with authoritarian regimes — will convey the intended message effectively.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, Wednesday, the parade is scheduled to take place in central Seoul on the afternoon of Oct. 1 to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of South Korea’s armed forces. This follows a commemorative ceremony in the morning at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
The parade route, spanning from Sungnyemun Gate to Gwanghwamun Square, will feature a variety of air force and ground equipment. It will also include marching 커뮤니티 units, including South Korean troops, the U.N. honor guard and the U.S. Eighth Army which is stationed in the South, as well as members of the public including high school students.
This marks the second military parade under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, following last year’s event, which had been the first such parade in a decade. The event highlighted the nation’s key defense assets and featured more than 3,700 service members, including over 300 U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) personnel.
The budget for this year’s parade and related events is estimated at nearly 8 billion won ($5.87 million), according to the defense ministry, down from 10 billion won spent last year.