A large military parade in the heart of the Korean capital, with a parade of tanks and missiles, is a scene that we are used to seeing in Pyongyang, in the north of the peninsula. But, this Tuesday, September 26, it was in South Korea that it took place. For the first time in ten years, Seoul organized a large military parade. A demonstration of force on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the South Korean army desired by President Yoon Suk-yeol, a supporter of a hard line against North Korea and who is increasing joint military exercises with the United States. United. While inter-Korean tensions have been intensifying over the past year, this strategy seems to appeal to passers-by who came to the parade.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Seoul, Nicolas Rocca
Drones, missiles, armored vehicles, tanks and more than 3,700 soldiers came on parade in the heart of the capital. Despite the rain which grounded the air forces, many people gathered behind the barriers to thank the troops. “ As a Korean man and citizen I served in my 20s and did a parade like this as a soldier. It is a very symbolic moment which allows us to show the world the power of the Korean army “, said this spectator.
Offensive and ultra-militaristic strategy
A show of force particularly directed towards the North as evidenced by the presence of Hyunmoo cruise and ballistic missiles. Key pieces of the plan to neutralize the North Korean leaders in the event of conflict. “ It is important to have a powerful army to face North Korea. We have been fragile for a long time, and I am happy that we have strengthened our military force recently », says this woman.
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This resident of Seoul is also seduced by President Yoon’s speech. He promised this Tuesday to put an end to the North Korean regime if it uses atomic weapons. An offensive and ultra-militarist strategy materialized by a drastic increase in the defense budget. Lee Sang-won applauds: “ It makes perfect sense to strengthen military power. He is not the one who wants it, but the North Korean threat is so important that it is necessary. It is not the president who wants this, but the geopolitical context which pushes him to act this way. »
A context from which the South Korean defense industry has benefited. Its foreign sales more than doubled in 2022 and the country became the seventh largest arms exporter in the world.
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