Lee stresses importance of 'self-reliant' defense to military leaders amid 'grave' international tensions
Published: 27 Mar. 2026, 17:47
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- SARAH KIM
- [email protected]
![President Lee Jae Myung, right, attends a meeting with military commanders at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on March 27. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/27/4d4dbf1e-f49e-4bb6-be8d-5decbb53cf17.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung, right, attends a meeting with military commanders at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on March 27. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
“Self-reliant defense is essential to respond to the rapidly changing security environment,” Lee said at the meeting with key military commanders at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, central Seoul, stressing that South Korea plans to “swiftly” regain its wartime operational control, or Opcon, from the United States.
“In this grave security situation, the top responsibility of our military is to maintain the highest level of military readiness to respond to any provocation or threat from an enemy,” Lee said, calling on a strong combined defense posture based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
Lee pointed out that the global security environment is fundamentally changing amid a “dramatic upheaval” in international affairs.
“The war between Russia and Ukraine has now entered its fifth year, and today marks the 28th day of the war in the Middle East,” Lee said. He added that North Korea has been working towards the fortification of the border along the military demarcation line within the demilitarized zone.
“It is true that the ironclad South Korea-U.S. alliance is an essential element for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” Lee said. “However, excessive reliance must be avoided.”
This marks the first time Lee has presided over a meeting of military commanders of the Army, Air Force and Navy since the launch of his administration in June last year.
![President Lee Jae Myung, left, speaks at a meeting with military commanders at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on March 27. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/27/564e7200-73e4-46c6-80d1-99324a914277.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung, left, speaks at a meeting with military commanders at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on March 27. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
"As seen in recent wars, the battlefield environment is changing significantly,” Lee said. “To lead the future battlefield, the transition to a smart, strong military is also essential."
He pledged that as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he plans to “build a stronger and more trusted military” and fully support military efforts. Lee added that "the armed forces are not the president's army, but the people's army.”
Earlier Friday, Lee visited the national cemetery in Daejeon and made a speech marking the 11th West Sea Defense Day that emphasized peace on the Korean Peninsula and the importance of veterans' affairs.
He also paid his respects to 55 South Korean service members killed during military clashes with North Korea while defending the Yellow Sea.
In 2016, the government designated the fourth Friday of March every year as a day to commemorate three major clashes with North Korea in the Yellow Sea near the Northern Limit Line, the de facto maritime border. This is to remember the 55 fallen troops from the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong in 2002, the sinking of the Cheonan warship in 2010 and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010.
BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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