Lee urges military’s bigger global role

[unreal.livejournal.com]

President Lee Myung-bak (fourth from left) meets representatives from the 16 countries which fought for South Korea during the Korean War, at Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday.

South Korea celebrated the 60th anniversary of the recapture of Seoul and the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of its armed forces concurrently during a special ceremony in the capital Tuesday.

Some 5,000 people, including Korean and foreign war veterans, representatives from 17 war allies, key government officials and politicians, participated in the ceremony held at a square in front of the Heungryemun, the ancient gate at Gyeongbok Palace.


During his speech at the ceremony, President Lee Myung-bak stressed the need for sweeping military reform after “the lessons” from the sinking of the corvette Cheonan, which Seoul holds Pyongyang responsible for.

“We need to find out what our military is lacking and what its problems are. We should think of this opportunity as a new turning point by tackling them and conducting a resolute reform,” said Lee.

“The last North Korean provocation, which led to the deaths of 46 sailors, has given a heartrending lesson to us. For the past 60 years during which the armistice system has continued, there has been some laxity in the military’s readiness.”

Lee also underscored that the country’s military should enhance its role to contribute to international peace and security.

“Our military should actively cooperate with the international society when the need arises for us to contribute to world peace and security,” he said.

After the North invaded the South across the 38th Parallel on June 25, 1950, the South was largely defensive in its tactics, which turned offensive following the Incheon Landing Operation.

The successful amphibious landing, which began on Sept. 15 with the deployment of some 75,000 troops and 261 naval vessels and was led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, then commander of the U.S.-led U.N. forces, enabled the recapture of Seoul on Sept. 28.

Before the ceremony, some 350 soldiers of the military bands from eight countries, including the U.S., Britain, France and Canada, staged large-scale performances setting the mood for the impressive ceremony.

Afterwards, war veterans participated in a street parade in central Seoul between Gwanghwamun and Deoksu Palace.

The Air Force mobilized some 30 aircraft to present an aerial show celebrating the two anniversaries. The aircraft included F-15Ks, T50s, KF-16s and F-4Es.

Such a flight event staged in downtown Seoul was the third of its kind following one in 1999, which marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Air Force, and a second in 2008, which celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the country’s armed forces.

In front of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, the military held an exhibition to present its high-end combat assets, including K-11 airburst assault rifles, domestically-built torpedoes and the Korean Utility Helicopter Surion.

Twenty-one countries participated in the war. Of them, 16 allies including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada sent combat troops while Sweden, India, Denmark, Norway and Italy sent medical units.

Of some 1.9 million soldiers who participated, 40,667 U.N. soldiers were killed in action with 104,208 wounded, according to government data.

Source: koreaherald

Comments

[ethereal-limbo.livejournal.com]

no comments. D:

tbh, i'm only commenting here because our defence minister is on that picture, lol.

[intrakaos.livejournal.com]

i guess this means the draft isnt going away anytime soon.

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

Nope.