Lee Jae-myung emphasizes trust in the military at Armed Forces Day ceremony
President awards Colonel Park Jung-hoon with national honor, calls for the army to stand as “the people’s military”
President Lee Jae-myung attended the Armed Forces Day ceremony at Gyeryongdae on October 1, marking his first such commemoration since taking office. Lee underscored his determination to rebuild public trust in the military and highlighted the importance of creating a defense force that stands with the people.
Walking hand in hand with Lee Jong-seon, a 95-year-old nurse officer veteran of the Korean War, the president entered the venue alongside national representatives, including mountaineer Um Hong-gil and descendants of independence fighter Lim Byeong-chan. This symbolic gesture reflected the administration’s commitment to honoring both past and present guardians of the nation.
One of the most notable moments was Lee awarding the Order of National Security Merit Samil Medal to Colonel Park Jung-hoon, who resisted external pressure during the controversial investigation of the Marine Corps Sergeant Chae case. Attaching the medal to Park’s chest, the president praised his integrity, while Park responded with a salute and the words, “I will give my full loyalty.”
In his speech, Lee declared, “Our armed forces must be reborn as the military of the Republic and the people. Defending the nation means defending the people, and the honor of soldiers is rooted in public trust.”
Notably, the president delivered his remarks by flipping through handwritten A4 paper notes, avoiding the teleprompter. His aides explained this as a preference for directly revising the text and adapting to on-site conditions.
Following the speech, Lee reviewed the honor guards, including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and future combat units. He also inspected advanced defense technologies such as Korean-style three-axis system weaponry and unmanned platforms.
The ceremony concluded with a series of performances, including a taekwondo demonstration, helicopter tactical maneuvers, and the Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic flight team. The president later joined national representatives and military leaders for a luncheon, reinforcing his vision of unity between citizens and the armed forces.