SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Military bands struck up "Golden," the chart-topping theme from Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, as tanks rolled past and children darted between armored corridors. Overhead, parachutists trailed colored smoke.
South Korea, still technically at war with North Korea, has grown into the world's sixth-largest defense exporter. Yet when the Army opened its annual Ground Forces Festival at Gyeryongdae airfield on Thursday, it made sure the awe was mixed with fun.
A total of 39 weapons systems were on display — from the K2 main battle tank and the K9 self-propelled howitzer to the Surion utility helicopter — alongside U.S. equipment including the Patriot missile system.
Now in its 21st year, the five-day festival features 57 programs ranging from combined-arms drills to exhibitions of South Korean and U.S. platforms. The Army stressed the event's dual role as both a showcase of military strength and a chance to connect with the public. Attendance has surged in recent years, topping 1 million annually; last year's edition drew 1.14 million, according to the Army.
"The most popular platform here is the Surion helicopter," an Army official said. "This festival is meant to let people really experience the Army. On Saturday, four civilians chosen through a competitive process will get to ride in the co-pilot’s seat, including a 60-year-old participant."
The parade blended hardware with cultural flair. Soldiers in traditional dress performed Korean music, taekwondo teams drew applause, and troops in fatigues danced to K-pop hits. Families posed for photos beside tanks, the elderly leaned on canes to watch the march, and foreign tourists mingled with the crowd.
Combat demonstrations drew the loudest cheers: helicopters thundered in low, drones hovered overhead, and tanks advanced as parachutists drifted down in plumes of colored smoke — a display of how modern platforms and digital tools integrate to detect, target, and neutralize threats.
"The live demonstrations were the best part. You never get to see that up close in daily life," said Lee Hye-jun, 27, from Pyeongtaek.
Another visitor, Lee Young-jun, 29, a military enthusiast who completed his service nine years ago, said the festival softened the military's image. "Soldiers often seem stiff and intimidating, but here they were approachable and very friendly," he said.
"It may sound political, but after the martial law last year, the Special Forces carried a negative image. Seeing them here reminded me they're still the ones protecting the people, and I appreciated that," he added, referring to the Dec. 3, 2024 deployment of Special Forces under government orders.
For the Army, such sentiments underscored the deeper purpose of the festival: building trust and forging a sense of connection with the people it serves.
reporter
Cheon Soram, Han Jun-gu
cheons@ajupress.com
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