[Full Text] President Lee Jaemyung's Address on the 77th Armed Forces Day

On the occasion of the 77th Armed Forces Day, President Lee Jaemyung announced his intention to restore wartime operational control. He stated that self-reliant national defense is essential to respond to the rapidly changing security environment, emphasizing that the authority to command and control the military in times of emergency must rest with the Korean government. President Lee also pledged to turn the dream of a "strong, self-reliant national defense" into reality by reorganizing the military into a "smart and elite force" and actively fostering the defense industry, thereby strengthening national defense and achieving economic development at the same time. He further promised to significantly improve the welfare of military personnel.

Yonhap News Agency

On October 1, at Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province, President Lee attended the Armed Forces Day ceremony under the theme "An Advanced and Strong Military with the People." He declared, "Based on the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance, we will restore wartime operational control and ensure that the Republic of Korea takes the lead in the combined defense posture with the United States." He added, "A steadfast combined defense capability and posture will contribute not only to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula but also to the stability and shared prosperity of the region."

The following is the full text of the presidential address for the 77th Armed Forces Day.

Esteemed citizens of the Republic of Korea, proud members of our armed forces,

I sincerely congratulate you all as we celebrate the 77th Armed Forces Day together with the people.

Standing here at Gyeryongdae, home to the Army, Navy, and Air Force headquarters that safeguard the skies, land, and seas of Korea, I am filled with pride at the sight of our military’s might.

I extend my heartfelt applause to all service members who dedicate themselves fully to protecting the territory and the sovereign people of the Republic of Korea.

From the independence fighters and Liberation Army who took up the struggle for national liberation,

to those who gave their lives defending our homeland,

to our veterans and reservists-my deepest gratitude goes to everyone who has sacrificed and devoted themselves for our nation and people.

I also wish to thank the members of the United States Forces Korea and the United Nations Command, who have stood with our military to safeguard peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Proud members of our armed forces,

Today marks the 77th Armed Forces Day, but the history of our military began long before that.

The independence fighters and Liberation Army who fought for our nation’s independence are the very roots and foundation of the Republic of Korea’s armed forces.

Our independence fighters and Liberation Army led the way in reclaiming our country from oppression and ultimately played a pivotal role in achieving liberation alongside the Allied forces.

Without the blood-stained struggle of the independence fighters and Liberation Army, who form the roots of our military, the radiant 80-year history of liberation and the remarkable achievements we have made would not have been possible.

The spirit of risking their lives to reclaim sovereignty and protect the people is a noble mission that our armed forces must always remember and uphold.

I urge every member of our military to serve with the highest pride and to remain steadfast in fulfilling your core duty of defending the nation and its people.

Looking back on our history,

when the military forgot this mission and became a tool for private power,

democracy suffered severe setbacks, and the people endured great hardship.

On December 3 last year,

some military commanders, forgetting their true duty, sided with the highest authority and turned their guns on the people.

Fortunately, thanks to the courage of the majority of service members who, as uniformed citizens, resisted unjust orders,

a greater tragedy and misfortune were averted.

However, the consequences remain immense.

The regression of democracy, the collapse of the people's livelihood and economy, and the decline of national prestige have inflicted immeasurable harm upon our citizens.

The honor and trust in our military have also plummeted.

The military, which should protect the people, must never again turn its weapons on the people.

The military must swiftly regain the trust of the people and faithfully fulfill its original mission and role.

Let us work together so that our armed forces can be reborn as a truly trusted military, proudly walk the honorable path of the soldier, and earn the trust of the people.

As Commander-in-Chief and as President responsible for the people of the Republic of Korea,

I will thoroughly eradicate the remnants of illegal martial law and further strengthen the democratic and institutional foundations to rebuild the military as a force that protects the Constitution and the people.

I hope our military will actively join the path of being reborn as the military of a democratic republic and of the people.

Esteemed citizens, proud members of our armed forces,

We, who enjoy today, share a common responsibility.

So that the blood and sweat shed by our patriotic martyrs and fallen heroes are not in vain,

and so that a bright future unfolds for the Republic of Korea they defended,

we must keep the flame of "peace" burning unceasingly.

Creating a peaceful nation free from the fear of war,

a hopeful country where every citizen enjoys a peaceful and free daily life and can dream of their own future,

is the duty entrusted to us.

Peace is possible only on the foundation of strong security,

and the most certain form of security is a state where there is no need to fight-in other words, peace itself.

Without peace, the advancement of democracy and economic growth are all illusions.

If a nation lacks strength, it is difficult to protect the lives and safety of its people.

We must become a powerful country that responds firmly and decisively to threats that disrupt the peace and daily life of our national community,

and build an inviolable nation that no one dares challenge our sovereignty.

Over the past 77 years, the Republic of Korea has achieved a stronger national defense than ever before in its history.

From a country that once had to rely on military aid from friendly nations because we could not produce our own weapons,

we have transformed into a defense industry powerhouse that now exports state-of-the-art tanks, self-propelled artillery, fighter jets, and submarines.

We spend 1.4 times North Korea’s GDP on defense,

have the world’s fifth strongest military power,

and possess comprehensive national strength-including economic and cultural power-that is second to none.

We have also built solidarity and cooperation with nations that share our values,

and established a solid South Korea-U.S. alliance and firm nuclear deterrence based on it.

There is no reason to doubt the defense capabilities of the Republic of Korea,

and even less reason to feel anxious.

Based on our high pride and unwavering confidence in our national defense,

we must advance on the path of strong, self-reliant defense.

To proactively respond to the rapidly changing security environment, self-reliant defense is inevitable.

The longest era of peace and coexistence in human history is coming to an end.

The momentum for cooperation and shared prosperity is weakening around the world,

and we are entering an era of intensified conflict and confrontation, where each must fend for themselves.

For the peace and prosperity of the Republic of Korea,

we must not depend on anyone else,

but instead, further strengthen our own capabilities.

To ensure that we can protect our own safety and peace under any circumstances,

I make three promises to turn the "dream of strong, self-reliant national defense" into reality.

First, we will reorganize our armed forces into a "smart and elite military" that leads the battlefield of the future and always wins.

Cutting-edge innovative technologies are completely transforming the paradigm of warfare.

As future warfare is expected to be a "battlefield without people," relying on sheer numbers, as in the past, is no longer sufficient.

The solution lies in units equipped with advanced manned-unmanned combined weapon systems such as AI combat robots, autonomous drones, and ultra-precise, high-performance missiles.

We have allocated a defense budget of 66.3 trillion won for next year, an 8.2% increase from the previous year,

and will focus investment on acquiring advanced weapon systems and breakthrough technologies such as AI, drones, and robots.

We will also significantly expand investment in core defense strategic technologies, including advanced aircraft engines and stealth technology,

to reorganize our military into a capable and specialized smart and elite force.

In addition, based on the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance, we will restore wartime operational control and ensure that the Republic of Korea leads the combined defense posture with the United States.

A steadfast combined defense capability and posture will contribute not only to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula but also to regional stability and shared prosperity.

Second, we will actively foster the defense industry to achieve both strengthened national defense and economic development.

Our defense industry, with its overwhelming performance and high efficiency, is not only the foundation of strong security but also a promising industry for the future.

The challenging terrain of the Korean Peninsula and the realities of division have provided real-world experience that has laid the foundation for today’s globally recognized K-Defense industry.

We will seize the rapidly changing global security landscape as an opportunity,

and help K-Defense expand further into the world.

We will boldly invest in the development of defense technologies,

provide multifaceted support for building the defense industry ecosystem,

and ensure that the growth of the defense industry becomes a driving force for both strengthened national defense and economic development.

Third, we will improve the welfare and morale of military personnel.

We will enhance service conditions and compensation systems to ensure safe barracks life for all service members.

We will dramatically improve the treatment of junior officers, who are at the forefront of combat power, and increase job security for mid-level officers, who form the backbone of our military.

We will also strengthen support and recognition for injured service members, so that the bitter saying, "the nation calls you its child, but turns away when you are injured," is no longer heard.

We will ensure that all service members are filled with pride in being part of a strong military that paves the way for peace and prosperity.

From now on, the Republic of Korea’s armed forces will,

with powerful defense capabilities and a robust readiness posture,

be reborn as the strongest military, steadfastly protecting the lives and property of the people against any threat.

Proud members of our armed forces,

We have always learned and taught that soldiers "defend the nation."

The true foundation of the "nation" we must protect is the people.

Our Constitution clearly states, "All power in the Republic of Korea comes from the people."

Therefore, defending the nation is, above all, defending the people.

The highest virtue and value for a soldier-honor-also comes from the trust of the people.

When our military is armed with the spirit of the Constitution and the values of democracy,

and faithfully fulfills its original role as the "loyal soldiers of the people,"

public trust will grow and the honor of the military will be elevated.

There is no military stronger than one trusted by its people.

When we become a true "military of the people, by the people, and for the people,"

our armed forces will gain even greater strength.

Let us devote ourselves not to power, but to protecting the people,

and become elite soldiers who safeguard the nation’s peace and prosperity according to the will of the people.

I will do my utmost to ensure that the dedication and sacrifice of our service members shine with honor and pride.

I believe in the members of the Republic of Korea’s armed forces.

Your presence is a great source of reassurance.

Thank you.