In a rare show of force, South Korea is due to conduct its first large-scale military parade in a decade with weapons and equipment rolling through Seoul’s street.
On Tuesday, the parade along a 2km (1.24 mile) route through Seoul’s main commercial and business district is scheduled to get underway at 4 pm (07:00 GMT) to mark Armed Forces Day, usually a quieted event in South Korea.
According to the defense ministry, about 7,000 armies would take part, with the nation displaying more than 340 parts of military equipment including tanks, self-propelled artillery, and attack aircraft and drones.
Tuesday’s parade comes as South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol carries a more firm path to dealing with North Korea, which has operated dozens of prohibited weapons tests this year as well as launching what it said was a “nuclear-attack” submarine and attempting to place a military spy satellite into orbit.
Yoon cautioned North Korea of an “overwhelming response” that would bring the government to an end if it operated nuclear weapons.
The parade will begin at Seongnam where Hyunmoo missiles, L-SAM missile interceptors, F-35 jets, and Seoul’s first domestically developed fighter, the KF-21, will be placed on public show.
Hyunmoo is one of South Korea’s latest missiles, which reviewers say is an essential part of Seoul’s strategies for attacking North Korea during a battle, while the L-SAM is created to shoot incoming missiles at altitudes of between 50 and 60kms (31-37 miles).
The ministry said that the events will also feature a joint flyover by military aircraft from South Korea and the United States to show their “upgraded” defense posture. More than 300 fighting troops from the Eighth Army, under US Forces Korea, will also participate in the parade as the two allies mark the 70th anniversary of their alliance.
Yoon has said that if Russia supports North Korea in enhancing its weapons programs in return for aid for its battle in Ukraine, it would be “a direct provocation”.
The last time, South Korea held a military parade was in 2013.
