President Lee Delivers CSIS Speech Following South Korea-U.S. Summit
"Building a Smart, Strong Military with Increased Defense Budget"
"Clear Commitment to North Korean Denuclearization... Continued Dialogue Efforts"
Summit with Ishiba in J
On the 25th (local time), President Lee Jaemyung stated in a speech following the South Korea-U.S. summit that "the national defense budget will be increased." He also emphasized that South Korea will strengthen cooperation with the United States and Japan to reaffirm the commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, while continuing efforts for dialogue.
President Lee delivered this message during a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a think tank in Washington, D.C., saying, "The U.S. commitment to the defense of South Korea and the South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture will remain ironclad." He added, "At the same time, South Korea will play a more leading role in safeguarding the security of the Korean Peninsula."
President Lee explained, "The increased defense budget will be used to introduce advanced science, technology, and assets to develop our military into a smart and strong force that will surely win in 21st-century warfare." He further stated, "President Donald Trump expressed his strong support for South Korea's efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities and conveyed his intention to further expand cooperation in advanced defense industries between South Korea and the United States."
He went on to predict, "The capabilities and posture of both South Korea and the United States will be further expanded and strengthened to thoroughly respond to the changing security environment and threats."
Regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, President Lee pledged to maintain a clear stance on denuclearization while continuing efforts for dialogue. He described North Korea's nuclear problem as "an unresolved legacy of a bygone era," emphasizing, "The obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) must be thoroughly observed on the Korean Peninsula, and it is clear that this serves the interests of both South and North Korea."
President Lee also stated, "South Korea and the United States will respond firmly to North Korea's provocations while simultaneously continuing efforts for dialogue with North Korea." He introduced, "Our government has taken various measures to ease inter-Korean tensions and prevent accidental clashes, and North Korea has also stopped its loudspeaker broadcasts toward the South that had been disturbing residents in border areas." He added, "I am convinced that a relationship of reconciliation and cooperation between South and North Korea will benefit both sides, and furthermore, both South Korea and the United States."
President Lee continued, "When the path to denuclearization, peace, and coexistence opens on the Korean Peninsula, the South Korea-U.S. alliance will be upgraded beyond the peninsula to a global level," adding, "The approximately 200,000 Americans and 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea will become even safer, and the daily lives of people in both countries will become more prosperous."
Explaining the reason for visiting Japan before the United States, President Lee said it was part of efforts to create 'a new chapter in alliance history.' He stated, "Another indispensable partner in the new history of the South Korea-U.S. alliance is Japan," and added, "Before visiting the United States, I first visited our neighbor Japan, with whom we share a yard. President Trump has also emphasized South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation since his first term."
President Lee concluded, "Together with President Trump, I will closely strengthen South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation based on a solid South Korea-U.S. alliance," and promised, "The three countries will jointly respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and make greater efforts for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and on a global scale."
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