Armed Forces Day in South Korea
Observed annually in South Korea on the 1st of October, Armed Forces Day is a day that commemorates the service of the people currently serving in the armed forces of the Republic of Korea. The date of October 1st was chosen as the date of this holiday because it’s when South Korean forces broke through the 38th parallel during the Korean War in 1950.
Although this isn’t a national holiday, and it’s not a day off for the general public, it is a day for all South Koreans to take pride in their country, to honor the South Korean Flag, and to honor the South Korean military.
The History Of Armed Forces Day In South Korea
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea was founded in 1948 after the South Korean government was established following the liberation of Korea from the Empire of Japan. The country’s military forces are responsible for maintaining the sovereignty of the state and maintaining its territorial boundaries. As of 2022, it has a reported strength of 3.3 million personnel that’s composed of 2.75 million reservists and over half a million active service members.
Observing Armed Forces Day In South Korea
Although this isn’t a public holiday and most institutions operate according to their regular hours, it is a day on which many different events are taking place. Not only are the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea celebrating this day with internal celebrations, but there is also a large street parade that occurs on this day every year in Seoul.
During this parade can be found representative members of the armed forces, and various pieces of military equipment. On this day, there are also airshows, concerts, and other special events. And on this day, members of the Armed Forces of South Korea are also usually given discounts at amusement parks and other venues so they can enjoy their day.