S. Korea eyes large-scale military parade to mark Armed Forces Day next year

By Song Sang-ho

SEOUL, Nov. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea seeks to stage a large-scale military parade next year to mark the Oct. 1 Armed Forces Day, a defense ministry official said Tuesday, in what could be a major show of force just months after the launch of the country's next administration.

The ministry has set aside 7.98 billion won (US$6.75 million) for the parade likely to showcase the nation's state-of-the-art military hardware, though a final decision would be made by the new government to be launched in May, the official said.

"We are considering holding a parade next year, but no decision has been finalized yet," the official told Yonhap News Agency on condition of anonymity.

The ministry used to hold a major military parade every five years. But it held a scaled-down event in 2018 amid peace efforts with North Korea, marking a stark contrast to the 2013 edition showcasing an array of the country's formidable weapons.

In 2019, the ministry revised a relevant rule to time a major military parade to take place in the year when a new commander-in-chief takes office -- a reason why it has earmarked a budget for a parade next year.

During the 2013 parade, the military mobilized some 4,500 troops and more than 100 units of military equipment for the parade that took place along a designated street linking Seoul City Hall and the Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul.

sshluck@yna.co.kr
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