Armed Forces Day anniv. celebrated with display of advanced weapons

South Korea marked the 78th anniversary of its armed forces on Thursday by unveiling a collection of cutting-edge military technology to the public for the first time. The Armed Forces Day event commenced at the military headquarters in Gyeryong, located approximately 145 kilometers south of Seoul, with participation from around 3,600 personnel and 70 pieces of military hardware, according to the defense ministry.

This year's display highlights the deployment of two laser-based anti-drone air defense systems, designated as Cheongwang, which are designed to effectively neutralize small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). For the first time, these advanced laser-based systems will be exhibited to the public, showcasing their precision in striking drones.

Additionally, the military will present drone swarms that are powered by artificial intelligence (AI), multipurpose unmanned ground vehicles, and counter-drone interceptor UAVs. As part of the event, the government intends to posthumously award the Chungmu Order of Military Merit to late Lieutenant Colonel Kim Oh-rang and late Sergeant Jung Seon-yeop for their exemplary service.