Home > National > Defense

President Lee stresses 'self-reliant defense' at key security meeting as Iran war rages

Published: 23 Mar. 2026, 18:25 Updated: 23 Mar. 2026, 19:15

SARAH KIM
[email protected]

President Lee Jae Myung, right, speaks during an integrated defense posture meeting at the Blue House in central Seoul on March 23. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Lee Jae Myung stressed Monday that "self-reliant defense" is the most important element of integrated defense amid a "complex and fluid" international situation, as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran enters a fourth week.

"The current international situation is very complex and volatile," Lee said at an integrated defense posture meeting at the Blue House in central Seoul. "At times like these, an integrated national defense system is more important than ever."

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday issued Iran an ultimatum, warning that the United States would "obliterate" Iranian power plants unless Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, escalating the conflict. Seoul has been bracing for a prolonged Middle East conflict, leading to uncertainty for the global economy and energy supply.

The meeting was attended by some 170 officials, including Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Cabinet members and Lee Jong-seok, head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), as well as the heads of municipal and provincial governments and key officials from the military, police, Coast Guard and fire services.

This marks the first time Lee has presided over an integrated defense council, an annual meeting established in 1968 that brings together key officials from related sectors to evaluate the country's integrated defense posture, since he took office in June last year.

"The most critical aspect of national security is ultimately integrated defense capability," Lee said, noting that "national defense is a core responsibility that should not be entrusted to anyone else."

He added, "No matter what situation we face, we must be able to defend ourselves without any external support or assistance from anyone."

Lee urged the establishment of an organic cooperation system, noting, "As today's security situation becomes increasingly complex, we are in a situation where we must respond urgently not only to military threats but also to nonmilitary threats such as cyberattacks, terrorism, the climate crisis and disasters."

He urged all "all defense elements, including civilians, government, military, police and fire agencies" to "respond in perfect unison to protect the nation and its people."

Lee noted that South Korea's annual defense expenditure is 1.4 times North Korea's GDP. He also stressed that South Korea ranks 5th in global military power and is a top 10 economic power, adding, "Our defense industry is also formidable enough to be the envy of the whole world."

President Lee Jae Myung presides over an integrated defense posture meeting at the Blue House in central Seoul on March 23 attended by some 170 officials from related agencies. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Lee emphasized that the "most important role of the national community is to secure the safety of the national community itself."

He cited national security, public order and people's livelihoods as the core roles of the national community, underscoring that the "overarching prerequisite is the issue of security that protects the community itself."

During the meeting, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and NIS presented agendas related to the assessment and future direction of the integrated defense posture and civil defense, and the outlook on the situation in North Korea.

Discussions were also held on response measures to address damages caused by large-scale explosions at gas and oil refineries in the event of an emergency.

Former President Moon Jae-in did not attend the integrated defense meeting during his five-year term. Former conservative presidents Park Geun-hye and Yoon Suk Yeol presided over the meeting several times during their terms.

Lee on Monday presented presidential commendations to the South Jeolla provincial government, the Korean Army's 36th Infantry Division, the Marine Corps 6th Brigade, the Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters and the Korea Gas Corp's Jeju LNG branch for their outstanding achievements in establishing an integrated defense posture last year.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun expressed “deep concern” that the recent situation in the Middle East is impacting global security and the economy beyond the region in a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday evening.

Cho urged Iran to take de-escalation measures to halt attacks on civilians and civilian facilities in Gulf states, guarantee navigational safety in the Strait of Hormuz and normalize global energy supply, Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Iran’s top diplomat explained Tehran’s position on the current situation in the Middle East, and both sides agreed to “continue communicating on relevant matters.”

BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]