President Kim Dae-jung has congratulated the Armed Forces on the 53rd anniversary of their founding.
At a ceremony held at Armed Forces Headquarters near Daejon City, the president stressed the importance of strong armed forces to back up peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Kim asked the armed forces to prepare anti-terrorist measures, particularly during the World Cup and Asian Games next year.
The president also urged people to cooperate with the armed forces in order to strengthen security.
The ceremony also featured a demonstration of the Korean martial art of taekwondo, followed by a demonstration by female commandos and acrobatic air show by jet fighters.