Why does South Korea hold a large-scale military parade? , depth | South Korea’s first military parade in ten years | South Korea | military parade

According to reports from the Global Times, Reference News, and China News Network, on September 26, local time, the South Korean military held a large-scale military parade in Seoul. For the first time in ten years, the South Korean military showed off a variety of "sharp weapons" for the first time, which attracted attention.

Public opinion believes that this move is intended to show a tough stance towards North Korea. At a time when the South Korean government is facing internal and external difficulties, this rare move may also be considered to ease domestic political pressure. However, the South Korean military's "flexing of muscles" may stimulate North Korea to further strengthen itself through coercion, thereby exacerbating tensions on the Korean peninsula.

According to reports, South Korean officials said that the military parade was held to commemorate South Korea's 75th "National Army Day." Since 1998, South Korea has held a military parade basically every five years. But such ceremonies are usually low-key, and this one was unusually high-profile.

Talking about South Korea's first large-scale military parade in ten years, Lu Chao, dean of the Institute of American and East Asian Studies at Liaoning University, said bluntly that it was "somewhat surprising." No such military parade was held during former President Moon Jae-in's tenure, and the military parades held before that did not reach the scale of this one.

It is reported that the South Korean army dispatched about 6,700 troops that day, and another 300 US troops stationed in South Korea participated. The South Korean army also displayed 68 types and 340 pieces of weapons and equipment, including the South Korean Army's K21 infantry fighting vehicle, K2 Panther tank, K9 self-propelled howitzer, as well as amphibious assault vehicles, "Patriot" missiles, and medium-range missiles from the South Korean Marine Corps. Surface to air missiles, etc.

Among them, strategic weapons such as the "Xuanwu" series missiles and long-range surface-to-air missiles made their public debuts and attracted much attention. It is reported that the "Hyunwu" series of missiles were independently developed by the Korean military and are in the research and development stage. The Korean army has not announced specific parameters and other details. The "Hyunwu" series of missiles are also known as the "secret weapons" of the Korean army.

In addition to the mystery, the so-called huge power of the "Xuanwu" series of missiles is also one of the reasons why it has attracted much attention. Some commentators said that the missile is "comparable to tactical nuclear weapons" and is the core means for the South Korean military to launch powerful counterattacks. However, it is still unclear whether the one unveiled that day was the "Xuanwu-4" or the "Xuanwu-5". There is speculation that it is called the latter.

The "highlight" of this military parade also attracted attention. It is reported that the military parade was held at an air force base on the outskirts of Seoul on the morning of the 26th. The "highlight" came in the afternoon of the day - the 2-kilometer-long military parade passed through the main business district of Seoul and arrived at Gwanghwamun in the center of Seoul.

It must also be mentioned that South Korean President Yoon Seok-yue attended the military parade in the rain that day and delivered a speech, promising to increase support for the military and defense industry, while warning "North Korea not to provoke", otherwise the South Korea-US alliance will take a strong response.

Lu Chao and Liu Ming, a senior researcher at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, both pointed out some highlights of the military parade.

First, the South Korean military exhibited "sharp weapons" such as "Xuanwu" missiles. Lu Chao said that in the past, such military parades were often just a formality. The number of officers and soldiers dispatched this time, the type, quantity and nature of the weapons are all extraordinary. "This time the Korean army can be said to have moved out of their homes and mobilized in full force. 'Showing muscles' is full of meaning."

Second, Yin Xiyue gave a speech showing a tough stance. In Liu Ming's view, Yin Xiyue's speech sent a signal - warning North Korea not to act rashly, otherwise South Korea and the United States may launch a joint military attack on it. At the same time, South Korea has shown a more determined stance.

Third, the US military in South Korea participated for the first time. "This is a manifestation of the United States' support for South Korea." Lu Chao said.

In Liu Ming's view, holding a military parade can be regarded as South Korea's domestic affair. Logically speaking, the US military should not participate unless it is participating in some activities at the US military base in South Korea.

"The participation of the US military in South Korea in the South Korean military parade may reflect the coordinated considerations of South Korea and the United States." Liu Ming said, especially considering some of the actions taken jointly by South Korea and the United States this year, including the conclusion of the "Washington Declaration" and the deployment of nuclear submarines by the United States to dock. South Korea etc.

It is worth mentioning that in April this year, US President Biden held talks with Yin Xiyue at the White House. Both sides agreed to upgrade the "extended deterrence" provided by the United States to South Korea. The "Washington Declaration" adopted by both parties agreed that the United States would provide a "nuclear umbrella" to South Korea, establish a "nuclear consultation group" mechanism, and strengthen the deployment of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas.

After ten years, why is South Korea holding a large-scale military parade now?

Liu Ming noticed the three-fold background of this military parade. First, North Korea has demonstrated its military strength many times recently; second, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited Russia this month and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two sides are interested in cooperation. According to CCTV News citing Yonhap News Agency, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov will also visit Russia in October. Visit North Korea.

"From South Korea's perspective, North Korea has recently taken frequent actions to demonstrate its military strength, but the signals sent by South Korea may not be enough." Liu Ming said. In addition to the joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, the Washington Declaration, and the joint statement issued after the leaders of the United States, Japan, and South Korea met at Camp David, South Korea believes that it needs to independently demonstrate its military capabilities.

Third, Yin Xiyue is facing greater pressure domestically. At the political level, as South Korea will usher in a new parliamentary election in April next year, the bipolar confrontation in the domestic political arena is increasingly intensifying. This is reflected in the fact that Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, went on a hunger strike for 24 days. Yoon Seok-yue wants to arrest him, and the Democratic Party of Korea proposes to remove Prime Minister Han Deok-soo from his post.

At the economic level, the current economic situation in South Korea is not good. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development this month forecast South Korea's economic growth this year at 1.5%. In the future, South Korea's economic growth rate may be lower than the average level of OECD members.

"Faced with these challenges in the domestic and foreign affairs fields, showing a strong stance on security issues has become Yin Xiyue's focus." Liu Ming said. Holding a military parade may also help South Korean people form a unified position on North Korea.

Lu Chao also noticed that while Yin Xiyue’s support rate fell, South Korea’s economic situation was in a sluggish state.

"With South Korea ushering in a new congressional election, South Korea's political arena is in turmoil, and the struggle between the two parties is becoming increasingly fierce and entering a white-hot stage." Lu Chao said. Just early this morning, the Seoul Central District Court in South Korea rejected the prosecutor’s application for arrest of Lee Jae-myung.

"In this context, South Korea's official military parade is obviously a strategy." Lu Chao said, that is, by provoking "external threats" to calm domestic political struggles and ease domestic political pressure.

Lu Chao also said that the United States may be behind the South Korean military's military parade. On the one hand, Yun Xiyue has shown a posture of strengthening the alliance between South Korea and the United States since taking office. On the other hand, since this year, the United States has frequently made efforts to address the situation on the peninsula, including sending strategic weapons such as nuclear submarines and bombers to South Korea. In addition, the United States also promotes trilateral cooperation between the United States, Japan and South Korea.

"What the United States is afraid of is further military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which may involve the situation in Ukraine." Lu Chao said.

According to the "Global Times" report, US Secretary of State Blinken recently accused North Korea and Russia of cooperation and said that the United States and South Korea will conduct deeper cooperation in nuclear deterrence.

After South Korea holds a large-scale military parade, how North Korea will respond has attracted much attention. Liu Ming predicts that North Korea will promote the development of military strength in accordance with its own agenda. According to an earlier report by the Global Times, in 2021, Kim Jong-un mentioned future development plans at the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party, involving nuclear submarines, military satellites, etc.

"In view of the fact that North Korea has encountered some bottlenecks in military satellite research and development, it is not expected to carry out relevant tests in the short term until the technical problems are solved," Liu Ming said.

Lu Chao also said that judging from the past, North Korea will not be forced by external threats of force. On the contrary, South Korea's military parade and Yin Xiyue's tough speech may stimulate North Korea to further use coercion and further escalate tensions on the peninsula.

According to the "Global Times" report, the Korean Central News Agency issued a statement on the 25th criticizing the Yin Xiyue government for "disrupting the regional situation and exacerbating tension." At the same time, many Koreans felt depressed after watching this military parade.

"The Korean military's 'flexing of muscles' this time is unwise and will not bring a sense of security to the Korean people. This move is even dangerous and is not conducive to the peace and stability of the peninsula." Lu Chao said. South Korean people may not support Yin Xiyue's policy of showing strength towards North Korea.

According to the Global Times, there are different voices in South Korean public opinion. South Korea's "Tomorrow News" stated on the 26th that the Yin Xiyue government has focused more on strengthening military power and the South Korea-US military alliance than any previous conservative government in South Korea. “But have we really become safer and more peaceful?”

South Korea's "Kyonghyang Shimbun" published an editorial on the 26th, calling on the Yin Xiyue government to engage in dialogue with North Korea.

Both scholars predict that it will be difficult for the Yin Xiyue government to achieve the purpose of boosting domestic cohesion by holding a military parade. Liu Ming said that compared with diplomatic issues, South Korean people are more concerned about people's livelihood issues, including the economy, housing, employment, etc.

Lu Chao pointed out that on the North Korean issue, there are major differences between the ruling National Power Party and the largest opposition Democratic Party. As the Yun Xiyue government's attitude towards North Korea becomes increasingly tougher, the opposition parties may voice greater opposition, and party struggles may become more intense.