The Ministry of National Defense celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the country's female military forces Monday.

Some two months after the Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950, a group of about 500 female volunteer troops launched in the southern port city of Busan. Since then, the number of female troops has grown to 6,162.

More than 300 people, including Defense Minister Kim Tae-young, Gender Equality Minister Paik Hee-young, members of the parliamentary defense committee and veteran soldiers, attended a special event to mark the anniversary.

The ministry prepared a variety of programs for the event at the MND in Seoul.

The programs included showing a series of photos and a film, all of which focused on sacrifices and the contribution that female soldiers have made to enhance the country's national defense.

The programs also featured special lectures and workshops with female veteran soldiers who shared their military experience and proposed the direction of the military policies for female soldiers.

President Lee Myung-bak sent a congratulatory letter, through which he stressed the increasing role of female soldiers in advancing the country's military system currently focusing on interoperability and integration.

After the end of the fratricidal war in 1953, the first female military group was turned into a regular military unit. In 1955, a special training center for female soldiers was established.

In 1969, seven female soldiers were added to the Special Warfare Command. From 1969-1973, some 10 female soldiers were sent to the war in Vietnam for non-combat tasks.

Since 1990, female soldiers have actively engaged in a variety of military tasks -- including transportation, engineering, aviation and patrolling. -- considered challenging areas, where many thought women would have difficulty operating.

In 1997, the Air Force Academy began recruiting female cadets. The Military (Army) Academy began recruiting its female students in 1998 and the Naval Academy followed in 1999.

In 2002, the Air Force produced its first female operator of a fighter jet. Currently some 10 female soldiers are running fighter jets in the Air Force. In 2003, the Navy first dispatched 10 female soldiers to its warships.