DHAKA: South Korea staged its largest military display for a decade on Tuesday, as President Park Geun Hye warned of the "very grave" threat posed by North Korea`s nuclear weapons programme.

Some 11,000 troops and 120 aircraft took part in the event at an air base south of Seoul, which showed off the military`s most advanced weaponry, including a cruise missile capable of surgical strikes on the North Korean leadership.

The guest of honour was US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel on a visit to underscore US commitment to its military alliance with South Korea where 28,500 US troops are currently stationed.

"The situation on the Korean peninsula is very grave," Ms Park warned in her speech at the event marking the 65th anniversary of the founding of South Korea`s armed forces.

Source: ST
BDST: 1026 HRS, OCT 01, 2013
GR/AKA/BSK