Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister of National Defense Suh Wook gave welcoming address in a ceremony to celebrate the 72nd Armed Forces Day

Minister of National Defense Suh Wook clarified his resolve for the military to act as a staunch supporter protecting the lives and safety of the people, as well as national security, stressing his willingness to reform the military into a future strong force to protect the country and the people. On September 25, Suh made an announcement during his address at the ceremony to celebrate the 72nd Armed Forces Day, which was held at the Army’s Special Warfare Command in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, saying “our military will fulfill its mission of achieving a ‘peace for the people’ by establishing a defense posture of ‘win before the fight,’ while remembering the senior fellow soldiers’ noble spirit of ‘sacrifice for the country to fulfill a soldier’s duty.’ The full text of Suh’s address is provided below.

First, I want to express my deep respect and gratitude to the fallen heroes and senior fellow soldiers who devoted themselves to fostering today’s best strong forces, as well as building the peace and prosperity of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

And on behalf of all soldiers, I also want to deeply thank the President for presiding over this ceremony to celebrate the 72nd Armed Forces Day.

I also sincerely welcome all of the guests who came to honor us with their presence and to encourage our soldiers.

I am deeply thankful for the support that the people of Korea have shown to our armed forces, through thick and thin. Most of all, I'd like to express my special gratitude to the ROK’s soldiers who do their best in their duties without a murmur, on the ground, at sea and in the air, as well as at the overseas deployment sites far away from home, at this moment.

This event is being held today at the headquarters of the Special Warfare Command, for the first time since the founding of the ROK’s armed forces. It is very meaningful to me that we can show you our military’s firm readiness posture at the best Army unit, which protects the country based on an indomitable spirit of ‘make the impossible possible.’

Our military has never faltered when it comes to fulfilling its duties amid a turbulent security situation. The military has responded perfectly to omnidirectional security threats by maintaining an ironclad combined defense posture based on the firm ROK-US alliance. The military is supporting the government’s resolute journey toward building a new peace on the Korean Peninsula with ‘strong power.’ The military has also made significant progress in the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) as a task of the times to achieve responsible national defense, while working to become a military that is equipped with advanced high-tech integrated with fourth industrial revolution technologies.

Our military protected the lives and health of the people, despite being faced with a higher risk of infection in the war against COVID-19. The military fulfilled its duties as the ‘military for the people,’ sweating to support those affected by forest fires, floods and typhoons. Our military will continue to act as a staunch supporter protecting the lives and safety of the people, as well as national security.

Today, as we mark the 72nd Armed Forces Day, our military will show you the image of the “ROK’s future armed forces building peace.” The military will show you its capabilities and firm willingness to be reformed into future strong forces, which can protect the country and the people. I am convinced that today’s event will increase your confidence in our military.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, and at the same time the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberation Army, which is the root of the ROK’s armed forces. Remembering the senior fellow soldiers’ noble spirit of ‘sacrifice to the country for the fulfillment of a soldier’s duty,’ the military will fulfill its mission of achieving a ‘peace for the people’ by establishing a defense posture of ‘win before the fight.’

Specifically, the military will become fully prepared to adopt a military readiness posture that protects the lives and safety of the people. The military will respond sternly to any threat from North Korea. The military will also build ‘strong security, proud military, and interactive defense,’ with an attitude of cooperation based on one mind and one goal (known as Jultakdongsi). To close my address, I want to again express my gratitude to the president and the first lady for their participation in the ceremony to celebrate the 72nd Armed Forces Day. Thank you and the people, and I ask for all of you to continue to love and support the ROK’s armed forces. Thank you.