“You are always welcome in this land of freedom, the Republic of Korea (Daehanminguk, 대한민국).”
So said President Park Geun-hye during a ceremony to mark the nation’s 68th Armed Forces Day on Oct. 1 at the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in Chungcheongnam-do Province. The president said, “Our nation will do all it can to eradicate all provocations and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the North Korean regime, so that all Korean people -- both North and South -- can live a life in happiness where their dignity is respected.”
“If the North continues to develop its nuclear arms and shores up its debilitated economy at the same time, its international isolation and economic difficulties will only get worse. So will the rifts within the regime and domestic unrest,” President Park warned. “I call on the North to face the trends of the time -- and reality -- and come back to a path toward becoming a normal state, giving up on its nuclear ambitions.”
“We must respond to any provocations from the North in a swift and determined manner, so that the regime will pay for what it has done,” the president stated. “We need to further enhance effective measures based on Washington’s extended deterrence strategy, and, also, we need to beef up our own military capabilities, such as the Kill Chain Preemptive Strike system and the Korea Air and Missile Defense system (KAMD).”
“We must get everything ready so that we'll be able to systematically deal with any aggression and provocation out of Pyongyang. We should increase our preliminary military strength by improving our military logistics and quartermaster services, and should enhance our military readiness so that we can respond effectively in time of emergency,” the president stressed.
She wrapped up by saying, “The men and women in uniform, with their strong patriotism and a strong sense of duty, are the cornerstone of our nation. They protect our nation and bring it together. I am so proud of you all.”
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
jiae5853@korea.kr
So said President Park Geun-hye during a ceremony to mark the nation’s 68th Armed Forces Day on Oct. 1 at the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in Chungcheongnam-do Province. The president said, “Our nation will do all it can to eradicate all provocations and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the North Korean regime, so that all Korean people -- both North and South -- can live a life in happiness where their dignity is respected.”
President Park Geun-hye (right) shakes hands with decorated members of the military during a ceremony to mark the nation’s 68th Armed Forces Day on Oct. 1 at the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in Chungcheongnam-do Province.
“If the North continues to develop its nuclear arms and shores up its debilitated economy at the same time, its international isolation and economic difficulties will only get worse. So will the rifts within the regime and domestic unrest,” President Park warned. “I call on the North to face the trends of the time -- and reality -- and come back to a path toward becoming a normal state, giving up on its nuclear ambitions.”
“We must respond to any provocations from the North in a swift and determined manner, so that the regime will pay for what it has done,” the president stated. “We need to further enhance effective measures based on Washington’s extended deterrence strategy, and, also, we need to beef up our own military capabilities, such as the Kill Chain Preemptive Strike system and the Korea Air and Missile Defense system (KAMD).”
President Park Geun-hye delivers a speech during the ceremony to mark the nation’s 68th Armed Forces Day on Oct. 1.
“We must get everything ready so that we'll be able to systematically deal with any aggression and provocation out of Pyongyang. We should increase our preliminary military strength by improving our military logistics and quartermaster services, and should enhance our military readiness so that we can respond effectively in time of emergency,” the president stressed.
She wrapped up by saying, “The men and women in uniform, with their strong patriotism and a strong sense of duty, are the cornerstone of our nation. They protect our nation and bring it together. I am so proud of you all.”
President Park Geun-hye salutes during the ceremony to mark the nation’s 68th Armed Forces Day on Oct. 1.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
jiae5853@korea.kr
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