[Scene video+] "Strong Armed Forces, with the people"...Presidential Commemorative Address of Yoon Suk Yeol

[Anchor]
The 76th anniversary of the founding of the armed forces was held under the theme of 'Strong Armed Forces, Together with the People.'

President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to encourage soldiers in his speech and emphasize preparation for the North Korean threat, so let's go to the Armed Forces Day venue.

[Yoon Suk Yeol / President]
My fellow Koreans and distinguished guests, I sincerely congratulate you on the 76th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day.

Thank you to the Korean soldiers who are protecting the country and the people without any gaps at this moment.

I would also like to thank the dispatched soldiers who are protecting world peace and raising the status of the Republic of Korea.

In addition, I would like to express my respect and gratitude to the martyrs, veterans, and reservists for protecting the free Republic of Korea with blood and sweat.

I would like to express my special gratitude to the military families who have been supporting the soldiers in silence and to the U.S. Forces Korea and the U.S. Forces Korea who are at the forefront of the Korea-U.S. alliance and the U.N. Forces Korea who are dedicated to peace in the Republic of Korea.

My fellow citizens, this year's Armed Forces Day has even more special meaning.

Today, a strategic command was created to greatly strengthen our defense capabilities.

In order to curb North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and respond strongly to provocations, the South Korean government has pushed for the creation of a strategic command as a key national task.

There have been many difficulties.

However, as a result of constant efforts based on the stronger Korea-U.S. alliance, we finally established a strategic command that integrates the advanced conventional capabilities of our military with the extended deterrence capabilities of the United States.

In the future, the Strategic Command will be a key unit that will secure the country and its people from North Korea's nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.

My fellow citizens, today's Republic of Korea is built on the dedication and sacrifice of our Armed Forces.

When the communist forces of North Korea started the Korean War, our military fought in blood to protect the free Republic of Korea.

Even now, we are resolutely confronting North Korea's constant threats and provocations, and we are carrying out a tremendous mission to protect the country and its people.

When major difficulties arise, such as national disasters, we take the lead in protecting the lives and safety of the people.

The fervent patriotism and loyalty of our Armed Forces have become a strong foundation for the freedom and prosperity we enjoy today.

Ladies and gentlemen, please give a big round of applause to our soldiers.

Proud Korean soldiers, our military did not have any proper weapons during the Korean War.

However, now we build cutting-edge fighter jets by hand, develop military reconnaissance satellites and high-performance missiles, and build world-class combat ships and submarines ourselves.

It has emerged as a high-tech science and technology strong force with strong military and excellent technology.

The tanks, self-propelled artillery, and air defense weapons that we have built have traveled beyond Asia to Europe and the Middle East, showing the true value of K-defense.

Now, K-bangsan has become a "national strategic industry" that firmly supports national security and the economy.

Our soldiers who are dedicated to world peace are also remarkable.

It contributes to common prosperity by carrying out peacekeeping and reconstruction activities all over the world.

These activities of our military are a great help to the Republic of Korea's leap forward as a global hub.

My fellow Koreans and soldiers, we have walked on the path of freedom and prosperity and world peace, but the North Korean regime still insists on regression and collapse.

It seeks only a hereditary power succession, and the disastrous lives of its inhabitants are turning a blind eye to us with nuclear weapons and missiles.

He has carried out low-grade provocations such as garbage balloons and GPS disturbance attacks, and eventually denies unification by insisting on the 'hostile two-state theory'.

Moreover, the illegal arms trade with Russia runs counter to international norms and threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and the world.

Our military will immediately retaliate against North Korea's provocations based on its strong combat capabilities and solid preparedness.

If North Korea attempts to use nuclear weapons, it will face a decisive and overwhelming response from our military and the Korea-U.S. alliance.

It will be the day of the end of the North Korean regime.

The North Korean regime should get out of the delusion that nuclear weapons protect it even now.

My fellow citizens, with the Washington Declaration in April last year, the ROK-US alliance has been upgraded to a nuclear-based alliance in name and reality.

With the Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) at the center, we are establishing an all-in-one extended deterrence between South Korea and the U.S.

For the first time in more than 40 years, a U.S. strategic nuclear submarine has visited Korea, and a B-52 strategic bomber has landed on the Korean Peninsula for the first time.

A strong U.S. commitment to extended deterrence is being implemented by action.

Our government will strengthen security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan and strengthen our security posture by closely cooperating with the international community on the basis of the strong Korea-U.S. alliance.

Ladies and gentlemen, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has not ended and the situation in the Middle East has deteriorated, the global security environment is changing rapidly.

In order to become a more powerful military in this situation, we need to achieve defense innovation based on advanced science and technology.

The government launched the Presidential Defense Innovation Committee in May last year to dramatically expand its capacity to respond to North Korean threats.

We will further strengthen the field of defense research and development so that we can lead the future battlefield in the areas of AI-based complex systems and space, cyber, and electronic warfare.

In addition, it will drastically shorten the process of developing and introducing weapons systems.

The development of the strong army begins with the morale of soldiers.

We will continue to improve various service environments, including food, clothing, shelter and the medical system, so that soldiers can concentrate on their duties with pride.

We will ensure that we treat our country appropriately for the dedication of our country so that we can take pride in our military uniform.

We also need the efforts of our military.

We need to ensure that young soldiers have a firm view of the state and opposition.

I hope you will do your best to unite soldiers with strong mental armament and comradeship and train them with practical education.

My fellow Koreans, our proud soldiers and distinguished guests, the fake peace that relies on the good will of the enemy is nothing more than a mirage.

Human history proves that the only way to keep peace is to build our power so that the enemy cannot cross it.

Strong security and strong military are what the military builds with the people.

We ask the people to give their generous support and support so that our military can devote itself to the country without wavering.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I have full confidence in the Korean Armed Forces.

Once again, congratulations on Armed Forces Day and may infinite glory and blessings be with you in the future.

Thank you.