Spectacular Display of South Korea's Cutting-Edge Military Arsenal Captivates the World

South Korea recently exhibited a display of state-of-the-art military equipment during a military parade. Amidst heavy rain, tanks and missiles were paraded through the streets of the capital city. This event, which is the first of its kind in ten years, was organized to commemorate the 75th Armed Forces Day, honoring the establishment of the country's armed forces. The parade coincides with heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, as South Korea aligns itself closer with the United States and Japan to counter the increasing threat posed by North Korea's rapid weapons development.

The morning commenced with ceremonies and performances at the Seoul Air Base, officially initiating the event. President Yoon Suk Yeol delivered a significant address, cautioning Pyongyang about the grave consequences of utilizing nuclear weaponry.

South Korean troops marched during the military parade in Seoul, South Korea, on September 26, 2023.

Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters

Yoon stated that if North Korea employs nuclear weapons, the (Seoul-Washington) alliance will respond overwhelmingly, leading to the downfall of its regime. The parade, the first one in South Korea since 2013, took place in the afternoon. Troops and military equipment marched through central Seoul, passing by the city hall and the iconic Gwanghwamun Square. The roads were crowded with spectators, who braved the rain wearing plastic ponchos and carrying umbrellas.

Several thousand South Korean soldiers and over 300 US troops participated in the event, as reported by the Ministry of National Defense. The event also featured a military band, flag-bearers, and mascots from all military units.

South Korean soldiers perform a taekwondo demonstration during the event.

Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters

A range of locally produced equipment, including drones, tanks, and armored personnel carriers, were showcased at the exhibition. Soldiers in vehicles greeted the crowd by waving as they drove past, and some of the carriers displayed the South Korean flag. According to Peter Layton, a visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University, this parade primarily aims to communicate with external parties like the United States, North Korea, and China, but its true significance lies in domestic factors.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee salute the national flag during the military parade.

According to him, the parade and Yoon's participation serve to illustrate to the Korean people that South Korea is now a significant global power, as described by the current president. Additionally, it enhances public perception of the successful Korean defense industry, which is outperforming other sectors of the economy.

Yoon previously expressed his objective to position South Korea among the world's leading four arms exporters, following the United States, Russia, and France. Although it currently holds a lower rank, the defense industry has experienced rapid growth, with $7 billion in defense exports in 2021, according to the Export-Import Bank of Korea.

Layton further emphasized that the parade highlights South Korea's enduring alliance with the United States, as the two nations forge closer ties amid escalating weapons tests by North Korea. The alliance also extends to Japan.

South Korean weaponry and vehicles were on display during a parade in Seoul on September 26, 2023.

Satellite imagery has revealed activity at Pyongyang's underground nuclear test site, leading international intelligence to suggest that nuclear testing may soon be resumed by North Korea.

Yoon and US President Joe Biden made an important announcement in April this year regarding a new agreement to discourage aggression from North Korea. As part of this agreement, the US has committed to deploying a nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea, marking the first instance of such deployment since the early 1980s.

In August, Yoon, Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had a momentous summit. They declared the initiation of new military exercises and the establishment of a hotline for crisis communication. Notably, this summit also marked the first time Biden hosted foreign leaders at the historic Camp David retreat in Maryland, which has witnessed significant diplomatic negotiations in the past for other presidents.

This story has been updated to more accurately describe the weapons on display during the parade.

CNNs Brad Lendon contributed reporting.