South Korean forces staged a dramatic re-enactment of the 1950 Incheon landing Thursday to mark the anniversary of what many consider the turning point in the Korean War.

Warships, amphibious vessels and aircraft took part in the operation, in which troops fired smoke shells and paratroopers jumped from helicopters. Officials from the Incheon city government joined navy and marine corps officers to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the original assault.

South Korea's chief of naval operations, Admiral Kim Sung-chan, said the lesson learned at Incheon is that freedom and peace only exist when one has enough strength to secure them.

Legendary U.S. General Douglas MacArthur led the 1950 amphibious landing at Incheon, which divided North Korean forces and enabled United Nations-backed troops to recapture Seoul two weeks later.

Almost 200 U.S. marines participated in a similar re-enactment of the 60th anniversary last year.