President Moon stresses military’s role in peace in Armed Forces Day speech

South Korean President Moon Jae-in delivers a commemorative address for the 70th Armed Forces Day in Seoul’s Peace Plaza on Oct. 1. (photo pool)

Also emphasizes reformation into a “people’s military”

South Korean President Moon Jae-in emphasized the importance of peace his message for the 70th Armed Forces Day on Oct. 1.

Stressing the armed forces’ mission in an era of peace, he announced that it was “time for the military to stand at the very forefront of peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

The event on Oct. 1 was the first ever to be held in the evening and did not include the large-scale military parade typically staged on anniversaries every five years.

Delivering a speech for the 70th Armed Forces Day that evening on the Peace Plaza at the War Memorial in Seoul’s Yongsan neighborhood, Moon said, “It truly fills me with emotion that we are ending the threat of war on the Korean Peninsula and I can speak of an ‘era of peace’ today.”

“Now it is time for our military to stand at the very forefront of peace on the Korean Peninsula. Peace through strength is the armed forces’ mission, and the true agents of the era of peace are a strong military,” he continued.

Moon also noted that the military was “re-establishing itself as a ‘people’s military’ through powerful defense reforms.”

“We shall create peace through a trustworthy armed forces,” he stressed.

“We are now proceeding to an era of peace. The way of the honorable soldier will write a new history for the Korean Peninsula,” he continued.

Contrast to last year’s address and event

With its emphasis on peace, Moon’s commemorative address was seen as reflecting the climate of dialogue established by three inter-Korean summits and a North Korea-US summit in Singapore this year. In his Armed Forces Day address last year – delivered at the 2nd Fleet headquarters in Pyeongtaek amid frequent nuclear and missile tests by North Korea – he had made references to “powerful and complete punishment of reckless provocations” and a “military that wins.”

In contrast, this year’s event featured none of the large-scale street parades or unveiling of new weaponry typically held in anniversary years ending in fives or zeros.

“This was a reflection of the recent dialogue conditions on the Korean Peninsula,” a senior Blue House official explained.

Held for the first time ever in the evening, this year’s Armed Forces Day event was broadcast live on major terrestrial networks.

“Because it is difficult for many South Koreans to watch the commemoration ceremony when it is held on a weekday morning, we decided after some debate to hold it during prime time hours,” the Blue House said.

“Our aim was to hold an Armed Forces Day event as a festival setting where members of the public could watch the ceremony and send support and comfort to our armed forces,” it added.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in presides over a ceremony to receive the repatriated remains of 64 South Korean soldiers who perished during the Korean War at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. (Blue House photo pool)

Ceremony for repatriated remains of 64 South Korean soldiers

Earlier that morning, Moon attended a ceremony at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, for the return of 64 sets of remains belonging to South Korean troops killed in the Korean War. The remains – which belong to individuals conclusively identified as South Korean soldiers after a joint North Korea-US excavation from 1996 to 2005 in the North Korean regions of Changjin, South Hamgyong Province, and Kaechon, South Pyongan Province – were returned to South Korean soil after 68 years.

Moon performed a salute toward the remains, which were wrapped in the South Korean flag, before proceeding to place a combat badge and observe a moment of silence at each of the 64 boxes. Afterwards, he invited current troops, veterans of the UN forces, and representatives of veteran groups and surviving family members for a luncheon at the Blue House’s State Reception House. The luncheon event at the Blue House was also a first for Armed Forces Day.

“Our intent was to provide a proper warm lunch to the personnel in our military and reserves,” the Blue House said. Also featuring in the luncheon was a large-scale Choco Pie snack and a cake in the shape of the so-called “Gundae-ria” (a neologism combing the Korean word for “military” and Lotteria, a South Korean fast food franchise) hamburger cooked in the military.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook cut a cake shaped like a giant hamburger during a celebration of Armed Forces Day at the Blue House on Oct. 1. Pictured from the left are Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo, Sgt. Harry Hawksworth of the Gloucester Regiment, President Moon, first lady Kim Jung-sook and Chairman Kim Jin-ho of the Korean Veterans Association. (Yonhap News)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook cut a cake shaped like a Choco Pie snack at the Bleu House on Oct. 1. Pictured from the left are Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo, Sgt. Harry Hawksworth of the Gloucester Regiment, President Moon, first lady Kim Jung-sook and Chairman Kim Jin-ho of the Korean Veterans Association. Slices of the cake were delivered to the Ministry of Defense’s honor guard. (Yonhap News)

By Seong Yeon-cheol, staff reporter

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