U.S. troops march during the Armed Forces Day parade in Seoul, South Korea, Sept. 26, 2023. (Alexander Kelly/U.S. Army)
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — U.S. fighter jets are slated to soar over Seoul on Tuesday for the Armed Forces Day parade, a show of force commemorating the founding of South Korea’s military, a year after their appearance was canceled because of bad weather.
Roughly 5,000 South Korean troops and nearly 100 pieces of heavy military equipment will pass through downtown Seoul for the annual event honoring the 76th anniversary of the military’s founding, a Ministry of National Defense spokesman said by phone Monday.
South Korean government officials speak to the media on a customary condition of anonymity.
Over 250 U.S. troops will be participating in the parade; Army Humvees and eight-wheeled Strykers will be parked on display, U.S. Forces Korea spokesman Col. Ryan Donald said by email Monday.
Around 300 U.S. troops were part of the parade in 2023.
South Korea observes Armed Forces Day on Oct. 1. President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month approved of legislation to designate the day as a national holiday just for this year.
Despite heavy rain, tens of thousands of bystanders stood on Seoul’s sidewalks for last year’s parade of over 4,500 South Korean troops and more than 100 military vehicles, including amphibious assault vehicles and K1A2 tanks.
Two Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and four A-10 Thunderbolt IIs are scheduled to fly over Seoul during Tuesday’s parade, 7th Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Rachel Buitrago said by phone Monday.
An aerial demonstration of U.S. and South Korean fighter jets for the previous year’s parade was called off due to inclement weather.
An Air Force B-1B Lancer will fly over the capital on Tuesday afternoon, marking its first appearance at the parade, multiple South Korean news outlets reported this week, citing South Korean military officials. Buitrago declined to comment on the bomber’s reported appearance, citing operational security.
A Lancer last flew over South Korea and dropped 500-pound joint direct attack munitions on simulated targets for a drill with South Korea’s air force in June.
South Korea’s military plans to unveil the Hyunmoo-5, the country’s newest intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of carrying an 8- to 10-ton warhead, during the parade Tuesday, Yonhap News reported Monday.
The National Defense Ministry showcased the Hyunmoo-4 ballistic missile during last year’s parade.
South Korea’s military previously described the Hyunmoo-class missiles as an integral part of the country’s defense and said it would be used to strike at North Korea’s leadership if Seoul is attacked.
Pyongyang celebrates its army’s founding with displays of military strength on Feb. 8. Leader Kim Jong Un in a speech marking the North’s Army Day said his country will use any means necessary to “wipe out” enemies that “try to use force” against the country, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
