President Lee Jae-myung stated on October 1, "While winning through conflict is important, winning without fighting is even more crucial, and the most certain security is creating a peace where fighting is unnecessary."
In his speech at the 78th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at the Gyeryongdae airstrip in South Chungcheong Province, President Lee outlined a security plan that includes promoting strong self-defense and defense reform while lowering military tensions between the North and South and restoring severed dialogue.
He emphasized, "The peace and prosperity of this land are not created by someone else but are built by us, just as it has been until now. The North and South must find a 'path to win together' for the peace of the Korean Peninsula and build trust together."
President Lee added, "Our government will consistently implement practical measures to reduce military tensions between the North and South, and I hope and urge the North to join us in restoring trust and resuming dialogue."
He also defined self-defense as a national task continued by past governments, announcing plans for the return of wartime operational control, the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, and restructuring the military into a 'smart elite force.'
Below is the full text of President Lee's speech for the 78th Armed Forces Day.
Dear citizens,
Proud service members,
I celebrate the 78th Armed Forces Day with the people of the Republic of Korea.
Even at this moment, our ships are sailing in the West Sea, and our fighter jets are guarding the skies day and night.
Our service members are steadfastly protecting the front lines of the Demilitarized Zone and distant lands, which makes me truly proud.
Thinking of our service members who were injured in an unexpected incident in the Demilitarized Zone recently brings me great sorrow.
We must remember that the ordinary day we enjoy stands on the brink of someone else's danger.
I wish for a swift recovery and extend my deepest condolences to their families.
The freedom and peace we enjoy today were not achieved easily. From the independence fighters who led the anti-Japanese struggle to the proud Republic of Korea Armed Forces today, it has been made possible by the great sacrifices and dedication of those who gave their lives for the nation and its people.
I also express my deep gratitude to the U.S. Forces Korea and the troops from UN member countries who are working alongside our military to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Dear citizens,
And proud service members of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces!
Today, the Republic of Korea possesses the strongest military since its founding, with defense spending reaching 1.4 times North Korea's annual GDP, making us the fifth-largest military power in the world and a top ten economic power.
I am confident that each service member's capabilities are also at the highest level globally. Just yesterday, we held the launching ceremony for the 'Daehwa' Kim Jong-seo, our sixth state-of-the-art Aegis ship made with our technology.
Standing before it was truly a moving experience.
By the mid-2030s, we will successfully build nuclear-powered submarines using our technology.
Looking back, self-defense has not been merely a task or dream of one government.
President Park Chung-hee initiated the defense industry by advocating for the production of even a single rifle.
President Roh Moo-hyun advanced that dream further with his commitment to defense reform and the return of wartime operational control.
We have come this far carrying the dream of self-defense that has been passed down through generations.
Self-defense is sovereignty.
In the future, we will put a period on that dream of self-defense, which has continued for half a century, by regaining wartime operational control together with the people.
Dear citizens!
The peace and prosperity of this land are not created by someone else but are built by us, just as it has been until now. While winning through conflict is important, winning without fighting is even more crucial, and the most certain security is creating a peace where fighting is unnecessary. The North and South must find a 'path to win together' for the peace of the Korean Peninsula and build trust together.
Trust is not built with a single word. It is built gradually when words and actions align. Our government will consistently implement practical measures to reduce military tensions between the North and South.
While the knots in inter-Korean relations are complex, we will patiently and steadily work to untangle them. I hope and urge the North to join us in restoring trust and resuming dialogue.
Dear citizens, beloved service members!
The security environment we face today is difficult to predict even a moment ahead.
Incidents where power takes precedence over norms have become more frequent, and conflicts around the world are deepening.
Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, robots, and space are fundamentally changing the nature of warfare.
Countries around the world are doing their utmost to redesign their militaries and achieve innovation in response to these changes.
Additionally, the declining population and the resulting decrease in military resources present another challenge before us.
Preparing ahead of change is essential for protecting our citizens.
The path to overcoming these challenges lies in strong defense reform.
We will enhance the integration of artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, restructure the military accordingly, and redesign our overall defense posture to leap forward as a 'smart elite force.'
We will also further enhance the Korean-style three-axis system capable of early detection, interception, and response to missile threats. In particular, we will accelerate the development of future military capabilities, including high-energy laser interception weapons, AI-based command and control systems, and high-powered missiles, significantly enhancing our military's deterrence and response capabilities.
Furthermore, to prepare for future warfare, we must establish the 'Korea Military Academy' to cultivate world-class elite officers with integrated operational capabilities. I urge swift and bold action to establish the 'Korea Military Academy' while listening to various opinions and uniting military morale.
Through a 'selective conscription system,' we will increase the number of technology-intensive non-commissioned officers and shift the military structure to focus on personnel.
Young people will be able to choose their service method between 'soldiers' with shorter service periods and 'technology-intensive non-commissioned officers' with longer service periods but opportunities for employment and education.
Additionally, we will strengthen the reserve forces through effective mobilization training and a standing reserve system.
As everyone knows, strong defense does not come solely from weapons.
Your morale is the essence of defense. We will guarantee the rights of service members and fundamentally improve their service conditions.
We will create a military where serving is a proud choice.
The government is actively pursuing policies to improve service conditions, including a significant increase in the basic salary for junior officers and incentives for short-term non-commissioned officers starting next year.
We will not stop there and will continue our efforts in line with the principle of 'special sacrifices deserve special rewards.'
Sacrifices for the nation and community should not end as personal sacrifices.
The more the value of those sacrifices is recognized, the more pride 'uniformed citizens' will have in their service. The more we reward dedication to the nation and community with appropriate treatment and respect, the stronger our security will become.
Our government has allocated a defense budget of 73 trillion won, an 8.2% increase from the previous year, to ensure that our proud military completes defense reform and transforms into a 'smart elite force.'
This figure is higher than the total budget of our country in 1997.
The government promises to spare no necessary support in the future.
Reliable service members!
The foundation we must protect is the 'citizens' who are the sovereign.
The military, as the people's military, will surely uphold the constitution and strictly adhere to political neutrality while focusing solely on its fundamental mission of protecting the lives and safety of the citizens.
The citizen sovereignty government has been working to eliminate the remnants of illegal martial law.
Regrettably, we have held the military accountable internally and have strengthened the democratic and institutional foundations by completely restructuring military intelligence agencies, including the Defense Security Command and the Military Intelligence Command.
In the future, we will ensure that illegal insurrections by the military do not occur and will establish a culture and system that allows our military to focus solely on its fundamental mission.
I ask commanders to make every effort to quickly restore the trust of the people and to work diligently to restore the honor of the military.
Dear citizens!
The environment surrounding us is challenging. However, our citizens have the strength and experience to turn numerous challenges and trials into opportunities.
We have become a military power that produces and exports advanced tanks, self-propelled artillery, fighter jets, and ships, from a country that could not even produce a single rifle properly.
We have grown from a nation that received help from the international community to one that provides assistance.
We already possess sufficient strength to protect ourselves with our own power.
These are the achievements of our citizens and the path we will take moving forward.
I trust you.
In your respective positions, please serve with health, confidence, and your best efforts.
The state will always be with you to ensure that your dedication and sacrifice lead to honor and pride.
Once again, I celebrate the 78th Armed Forces Day with all citizens and wish for the health, happiness, and pride of all service members and their families.
Thank you.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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