(Unofficial translation)

Fellow Koreans and members of the Armed Forces,

Just a moment ago, a squadron of F-15Ks, the strongest fighter-bombers in Northeast Asia, reported nothing out of the ordinary after completing its air patrol mission over our territory – Dokdo in the East Sea, Jikdo in the West Sea and Jejudo in the South Sea.

It is heartening to see the unassailable presence of our military forces armed with the latest equipment and formidable combat strength, including the F-35A stealth fighter jets unveiled today for the first time. Our people must be very proud of them as well.

In congratulating the 71st Armed Forces Day today, I applaud all of our military service members. My special encouragement goes to the members of those units deployed overseas who are dedicating themselves to their missions of protecting Koreans abroad and safeguarding peace around the world.

The spirit of our fallen heroes and decorated war veterans made today’s Republic of Korea possible. Thanks to the hard work of our military elders, retired generals and the members of the United States Forces Korea, we have been able to protect our security and emerge as the 7th strongest military power in the world. Expressing my profound respect to our fallen heroes and their families, I commend our Armed Forces for creating a mighty military.

Everyone living on the Korean Peninsula should be able to enjoy peace and prosperity, generation after generation. The powerful force of our military is keeping that dream alive.

Peace is not something to maintain but to create. The impenetrable security of our Armed Forces underpins dialogue and cooperation, enabling us to embark on a bold journey toward permanent peace.

The courage and dedication of our Armed Forces made it possible for us to remove guard posts within the Demilitarized Zone and turn the Joint Security Area into a completely demilitarized area. It became possible to excavate the remains of our fallen who had not been returned to their families for many decades. It became possible for the leaders of the two Koreas and the United States to meet at Panmunjeom, a symbol of division. It became possible for a sitting American president to cross the Military Demarcation Line and set foot on North Korean soil for the first time in history. All these were made possible due to our military’s decisive determination to forge an inter-Korean military agreement and put it into practice.

Trusting in our Armed Forces, which have mighty defense capabilities, I was able to declare zero tolerance for war at the recent United Nations General Assembly. Carrying a sense of pride in our Armed Forces, which have opened a new path of peace from the DMZ, I was able to propose to transform the DMZ into an international peace zone.

Seeing the commanding presence of our military today, our people’s confidence in peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula will grow further still.

My fellow Koreans,

For the first time in history, the Armed Forces Day ceremony is held here in Daegu, a patriotic city and a strategic point for the Republic of Korea’s security.

In 1914, General Roh Baek-rin underscored the importance of the air force. Believing that winning the war for independence would never be possible without securing command of the air, the general – in the year following establishment of the Provisional Republic of Korea Government – set up the Willows Korean Aviation School in California. This was the first school to train Korean fighter pilots and the very beginning of the ROK Air Force.

The determination and efforts of our country’s pioneers in aviation led to the founding of the Air Force right after liberation. 

When the Korean War broke out, our Air Force supported ground force operations with just 20 light aircrafts. The observers, normally assigned reconnaissance from the back of the cockpit, had to drop bombs by hand, but they fought with all the strength they could muster to protect the country.

On July 2 of that year, a total of 10 North American P-51 Mustangs were delivered to the ROK Air Force here at Daegu Airport. From the very next day, members of our Air Force flew Mustang fighter-bombers every day and accomplished brilliant military achievements.

For the ensuing 69 years, Daegu Airport here has served both as a gateway to central southeastern Korea and a key air base for the ROK Air Force, carrying out its core mission of protecting our airspace.

Daegu Airport’s history is also the history of patriotism shown by the citizens of Daegu who have long endured inconveniences. 

Whenever our country has faced difficulties, citizens of Daegu have always demonstrated remarkable patriotism: A total of 14,545 of its citizens have been named decorated independence activists to date. Daegu is also the birthplace of the 1907 nationwide campaign to repay the national debt to Japan, and it’s where the Korea Liberation Corps was formed as well. During the Korean War, the Battle of Tabu-dong that helped the ROK and U.N. forces secure a bridgehead to launch a counteroffensive also took place in this region. 

I believe that the ROK Air Force, which was born 99 years ago for our country’s independence, has been able to write the “legacy of safeguarding our skies” on the basis of the patriotism of Daegu citizens. I’d like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Daegu citizens. 

Fellow Koreans and members of the Armed Forces, 

The roots of our Armed Forces trace back to the independence movement and patriotism: The ROK Army originated from the Military School of the New Rising about a century ago, the Air Force from the Aviation School of the Provisional Republic of Korea Government, and the Navy from the voluntary gathering of independence activists and civilian merchant marine officers. 

From the armed struggles for independence to the Korean War and the deterrence of war in its wake, our Armed Forces have always carried out their duties in an impeccable manner.  

However, the security environment is always ever-changing. As the recent drone strikes in the Middle East demonstrated to the whole world, the challenges that we face will be different from those of the past. A future war will involve “scientific warfare” and “information warfare” against all the forces that threaten and infringe upon our people’s safety and property.

It is no exaggeration to say that innovation will determine the outcome of a future war and the strength of security.  

Our Armed Forces have always innovated themselves in line with new eras. While solidifying conventional combat strength, they have endeavored to quickly incorporate the latest military science and technology into our national defense capabilities. 

Establishing the Ground Operations Command has further improved fighting power and the effectiveness of operational command. The Fourth Industrial Revolution smart national defense innovation task force has been launched to secure scientific and state-of-the-art national defense capabilities. A cyber security system has been put in place, and an unmanned combat system and automation have been actively put to use, thereby innovating our combat systems. 

When our advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution-related technology, including sophisticated robots from Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, is applied to national defense, this will help private sector businesses grow while realizing the dream of building a strong, smart military.  

Completing Defense Reform 2.0 is one of my Administration’s key objectives. For the first time in history, the proposed national defense budget for the coming year exceeds 50 trillion won. A total of 41 trillion won has been injected over the past three years to improve defense capabilities, and another 16.7 trillion won will be allocated for the coming year.

Stronger and more accurate missile defense systems; new submarines and light aircraft carrier-class landing ships; and a state-of-the-art defense system, including military satellites, will help our military take the lead when responding to any potential security threat. 

Each and every military member willingly put on the uniform to protect our homeland while foregoing the precious everyday life of a civilian. They must be able to serve in the military in even better conditions with high morale.   

I will ensure that the military uniforms worn by our sons and daughters will become a source of pride and self-esteem. 

The Government will help individuals nurture their own dreams and abilities even while in the military. It will also assist their employment so that military duty does not interrupt their careers and social lives. Monthly wages will be raised for soldiers; for sergeants, the amount will rise from 406,000 won to 541,000 won. The military medical support system will be significantly improved so that military personnel can return to their families after serving in good health. The Government will more carefully look into each and every part of military personnel’s lives by improving their living environment, guaranteeing support for child rearing and resolving gender discrimination, among others.  

Fellow Koreans, 

Our Armed Forces are the patriotic military, rooted in the independence movement, and the military of peace that leads inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation. They are also the military of the people, which assumes the lead in helping the people when they are in need. 

To mark this meaningful year, the 100th anniversary of the March First Independence Movement and the Provisional Republic of Korea Government, I report to the people in my capacity as Commander-in-Chief of our proud Armed Forces: We will build a national security posture that no one can challenge. Our Armed Forces will be the cornerstone of peace and prosperity. Together with our Armed Forces, we will usher in a new century where everyone prospers.  

I hope that the people will also show their trust in and affection for our Armed Forces with a sense of pride in them.   

Thank you.