Commemorating the Crossing of the 38th Parallel on October 1, 1950

The commemoration ceremony for the 56th ROK Armed Forces Day was held on the parade field of Gyeryong Unit in South Chungcheong Province at 10:30 a.m. on October 1 with more than 6,000 citizens attending along with President Roh Moo-hyun and key figures from three ministries, high officials from the government and military, foreign diplomats, and war veterans.

The beginning of the ROK Armed Forces was marked by the launch of the Korean army on September 1, 1948, which integrated the three battalions of homeland defense forces which were established on January 15, 1946. The Korean army underwent a series of improvement steps in terms of quantity as well as quality to become a force of 600,000 strong. Now, the army is carrying out its share of the responsibility in maintaining peace around the globe, having units stationed in 13 places in 10 countries including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Over history, the army had some dark days of political interventions, but now civilian control of the army has become conventional, and it is now experiencing some trouble as they are undertaking civilianization of the Defense Ministry.

The ROK Armed Forces Day was set to commemorate the day when the army crossed the 38th parallel on October 1 during the Korean War after taking back the capital on September 28, 1950.

During the 56th commemoration ceremony that was held under the slogan of "Together in Defense, Stronger Defense," 10 units, including Igijah (Victory) Unit of the army, 19th Combat Aviation Unit of the air force, and the 2nd Fleet Headquarter of the marines, as well as the 8th U.S. Army Headquarters, received presidential commendation. The commemoration ceremony is held in Seoul once every five years and at Gyeryong Unit training site for the other four years. Due to traffic congestion and budgetary restraints, street parades are held only when the ceremony takes place in Seoul.

taewon_ha@donga.com