South Korea holds a "huge" military parade, showing off a series of strategic weapons

The 75th Armed Forces Day of South Korea falls on October 1.

This year, the official ceremony will be held on September 26, ahead of the six-day Chuseok holiday starting on September 28.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Kyunggi Province, to showcase South Korea's new homegrown weapons, including the KF-21 fighter jet, light attack helicopters and long-range surface-to-air missiles.

Hàn Quốc duyệt binh khủng, khoe hàng loạt vũ khí chiến lược - Ảnh 1.

US F-35 aircraft. Photo: US Air Force

A large-scale military parade will then take place in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, in the afternoon of the same day. During the parade, the Air Force's "Black Eagle" aerobatic demonstration squadron and Apache attack helicopters will fly overhead.

South Korea typically holds a military parade every five years to mark Armed Forces Day to show off its firepower against North Korea.

The parade was last held in 2013 under the administration of former President Park Geun-hye. It was not held under the administration of former President Moon Jae-in.

This year's event will be held under the theme of "strong military, strong security and peace through strength" to demonstrate the military's determination to defend the country, an official said, in a bid to send a message to North Korea amid Pyongyang's increasing provocations.

In a development on the same day, the US approved a $5 billion sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to South Korea amid heightened tensions with North Korea.

The US State Department has given the green light to the sale of 25 Lockheed Martin-made aircraft, as well as engines and related equipment, according to a statement from the US State Department. The sale will improve South Korea's ability to respond to current and future threats by providing a credible defense capability, deterring regional aggression and ensuring interoperability with US forces, Reuters reported.

Spring Mai

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