Seoul’s President Yoon Suk Yeol warned that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would face the end of his regime if he were to employ his country’s nuclear arsenal against South Korea. Speaking at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the founding of South Korea’s armed forces, Yoon made his remarks to an audience of 5,300 service members at the Seoul Air Base, where a military parade and fighter jet flyover were scheduled later in the day.
“If North Korea attempts to use nuclear weapons, it will face the resolute and overwhelming response of our military,” Yoon declared, adding, “That day will mark the end of the North Korean regime.” He underscored the strength of the security alliance with the United States, which maintains tens of thousands of troops in South Korea.
The event featured the first public display of South Korea’s largest ballistic missile, the Hyunmoo-5, designed to destroy underground bunkers. Additionally, an American B-1B heavy bomber conducted a flyover accompanied by F-15K jets, reinforcing the military collaboration between Seoul and Washington.
In response, North Korea’s Vice Minister of National Defence, Kim Kang Il, condemned the flyover in a statement published by the official Korean Central News Agency. He noted that the North Korean military would be “keenly watching” the frequent deployment of such strategic assets and affirmed that Pyongyang’s military was “fully prepared to thoroughly defend” the nuclear-armed state.
Yoon’s comments follow North Korea’s recent unveiling of images showcasing a uranium enrichment facility, with Kim Jong Un visiting the site and advocating for the addition of more centrifuges to enhance the country’s nuclear capabilities. South Korea’s intelligence agency later reported that this unprecedented disclosure appeared to be aimed at the US and estimated that North Korea could produce a double-digit number of nuclear weapons from its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and plutonium.
Reports also emerged last week from a lawmaker who indicated that the National Intelligence Service had warned of a potential seventh nuclear test by the North, likely to occur after the upcoming US elections in November.
This year marks the second consecutive Armed Forces Day for South Korea to feature a military street parade through central Gwanghwamun square, showcasing 3,000 personnel and 80 pieces of military equipment. The last time such consecutive military parades were held was in 1984 during the dictatorship of the late Chun Doo-hwan.