President Lee - 'Misconception That South Korea Cannot Defend Itself Despite Massive Defense Spending'

(Seoul=Yonhap Infomax) Ji Seo Jeong – President Lee Jae-myung stated that despite South Korea's advanced defense industry capabilities and substantial defense spending, there remains a misconception and distortion that the country is unable to ensure its own defense. He emphasized the urgent need to correct this perception.

Speaking to the traveling press corps aboard Air Force One en route to Türkiye, the final stop of his Middle East and Africa tour on the 24th (local time), President Lee was asked about the results of his "K-Defense" sales diplomacy. He responded, "South Korea excels in many areas compared to other countries, and in the defense industry, we have a remarkable relative advantage."

President Lee added, "I frequently discuss defense industry matters with foreign leaders, and they are often surprised by our capabilities. The recent tangible results are making our strengths more visible internationally."

He continued, "South Korea currently spends a defense budget equivalent to 1.45 times North Korea's GDP, and is ranked fifth globally in military strength. Yet, we lack wartime operational control, and some suggest that we cannot defend ourselves without external support. Such misunderstandings and distortions must be addressed swiftly."

President Lee further explained, "Support for the defense industry, R&D, and investment are not only economically beneficial but also significantly enhance our self-defense capabilities. We must continue to invest, especially as we have announced plans to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP over the long term."

"By fostering the defense industry, we can drive growth in other sectors and expand exports. As military threats rise globally, interest in our defense products is increasing, which also helps strengthen international relations," he added.

President Lee noted, "Other countries are keen on joint development, production, and sales in the defense sector. For example, some of our tank exports to Poland are produced locally. India has specifically requested cooperation in shipbuilding, which likely includes military supplies."

He also observed, "Global demand for defense products is growing faster than anticipated. In the Middle East, there is anxiety about sudden, unpredictable crises, leading to a significant increase in demand for defense and security solutions."

"This is an area of absolute necessity for us, and I will continue to emphasize it and pursue export achievements. Concrete results are expected soon," President Lee concluded.