President Moon's First Visit to Gyeryongdae After Inauguration, Emphasizing 'Peace Through Strength'

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[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in visited Gyeryongdae for the first time since his inauguration to inspect the firm defense posture. The visit to Gyeryongdae was carried out to emphasize 'peace through strength.'

The Blue House announced on the 21st, "For the first time since his inauguration, the President visited Gyeryongdae in Chungnam, where the headquarters of the Army, Navy, and Air Force are located, and received the 2020 work reports from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs under the theme 'Definite Change Korea 2020! Strong Security and Responsible Veterans Affairs.'" The theme of the event was 'Definite Change Korea 2020! Strong Security and Responsible Veterans Affairs.'

President Moon urged ▲ preparation against all-out threats covering transnational and non-state areas ▲ evaluation of the implementation of the September 19 military agreement ▲ innovation of core government values ▲ strengthening competitiveness of the defense industry.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon said, "National defense is the foundation of the nation's existence and the survival of its people. The completion of 'Defense Reform 2.0,' established by the military as the main agent, is the people's command and a core national agenda of our government," adding, "The government has significantly increased the defense budget for strong and swift defense reform. As a result, we have entered the era of a 50 trillion won defense budget this year."

President Moon emphasized, "First and foremost is competent security and strong defense capability. We must not allow even the slightest gap and must establish a robust defense posture that no one can challenge. Our ultimate goal of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula must be supported by strong defense capability."

President Moon stated, "We must establish a military culture that meets the people's expectations. A military with high morale among soldiers is a strong military, and a military that reassures parents who send their sons and daughters to serve is a strong military," adding, "What I especially want to emphasize is the safety of the soldiers."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon said, "Veterans affairs is the shortcut to national unity and the starting point of strong national defense," and asserted, "Proper veterans affairs are the source of the people's patriotism."

In the work report, the Ministry of National Defense reported ▲ the first 50 trillion won defense budget era in 2020, building an unassailable military power ▲ transformation into smart defense by applying 4th Industrial Revolution technologies ▲ a people-centered, healthy, and safe military life. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs reported on responsible veterans affairs contributing to national unity.

The Blue House explained, "This is the first time President Moon has visited Gyeryongdae as an official schedule since his inauguration," and added, "Selecting Gyeryongdae, representing the jointness of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as the venue for the work report was to inspect the firm military readiness on site and to consistently emphasize peace through strength."

The work report proceeded in the order of entering together with the hidden heroes who worked with the people in 2019, on-site commanders' readiness reports, the President's opening remarks, work reports from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Q&A, and a smart defense innovation demonstration. Upon arrival at the Gyeryongdae headquarters, President Moon met with the 'hidden heroes who worked with the people in 2019,' encouraged them, and entered the main conference hall together.

The selected heroes this time include Army Colonel Moon Byung-wook, head of the Arrowhead Ridge remains excavation team; Navy Lieutenant Colonel Kang Ki-young, commander of the rescue operation battalion for the Hungarian cruise ship accident; Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Park Ji-yeon, the first female combat flight squadron commander; and Army Warrant Officer Park Sang-jin, a member of the unit that rescued a missing middle school girl in Cheongju.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Moon expressed gratitude on behalf of the people for their dedication. President Moon received direct reports from the on-site commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as commanders of overseas dispatched units. The reports were conducted by connecting four on-site commanders via real-time video.