[Edaily Reporter kim kwanyong ] On the 1st, marking the 78th anniversary of Armed Forces Day, President Lee Jae-myung defined the repatriation of wartime operational control as “the final step toward self-reliant national defense” and reaffirmed his strong determination to complete the transfer of wartime operational control within his term. Regarding the reorganization of the officer training system to prepare for future wars, he specifically mentioned the establishment of a “National Military Academy” and urged the military to “proceed swiftly and boldly.”

Speaking at the Armed Forces Day ceremony held that day at Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province, President Lee stated, “Self-reliant national defense is synonymous with sovereignty,” adding, “We will put the final stamp on this by regaining wartime operational control and, together with the people, we will certainly realize the dream of self-reliant national defense that has continued for half a century.”

In particular, he traced the efforts toward self-reliant defense made by successive administrations. President Lee praised former President Park Chung-hee, noting, “He broke ground for the defense industry by declaring, ‘Let’s make everything ourselves, starting with a single rifle,’” and said of former President Roh Moo-hyun, “He pushed that dream one step further with his commitment to defense reform and the wartime operational control.” He thus defined the current administration’s push for the transfer of wartime operational control not as a policy specific to this government, but as a continuation of the self-reliant defense efforts carried forward by successive administrations.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to building nuclear-powered submarines. Referring to the launch ceremony for the Navy’s newest Aegis destroyer, the Daeho Kim Jong-seo, held the previous day in Ulsan, President Lee said, “By the mid-2030s, we will undoubtedly succeed in building nuclear-powered submarines using our own technology.”

He issued more specific directives regarding the reorganization of the military education system. President Lee emphasized that to respond to future warfare—which is expanding into the realms of artificial intelligence (AI), drones, robots, space, and cyberspace—not only the military structure but also the officer training system must change.

He added, “To prepare for future warfare, we must establish a National Military Academy to train world-class elite officers equipped with integrated operational capabilities,” and urged, “I ask that you listen to various opinions, unite the military’s resolve, and swiftly and boldly push forward with the establishment of the National Military Academy.” Through his Armed Forces Day address, the President once again clearly reaffirmed the direction of establishing the Korea Military Academy in relation to discussions on the reorganization of the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies.

President Lee also expressed his determination to introduce a “selective conscription system” to address the decline in the military’s manpower pool. The plan is to allow young people to choose between serving as soldiers with shorter terms of service or as “technology-intensive non-commissioned officers,” who receive support for future planning—such as employment and education—on the premise of long-term service, while shifting the military’s personnel structure toward a leadership-centered model.

He also reaffirmed the policy to strengthen the Korean-style three-pillar defense system. He stated that the military would enhance its capabilities for detecting, intercepting, and responding to missile threats, and accelerate the development of future capabilities such as high-energy laser interceptor weapons, AI-based command and control systems, and high-powered missiles.

However, regarding the recent landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the western front, he used somewhat more restrained language than in the military authorities’ recent statements. President Lee said, “My heart still aches when I think of our soldiers who were injured in an unexpected accident in the DMZ not long ago,” adding, “It makes me realize once again that the ordinary days we enjoy are built upon the danger faced by others.” He went on to wish the injured soldiers a speedy recovery and offered his condolences to their families.

This represents a difference in tone compared to the investigation results and positions released by the military and the United Nations Command (UNC) up until the previous day. In a statement issued on the 30th of last month, the Joint Chiefs of Staff described the incident as one in which South Korean soldiers, while conducting routine search operations south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) on September 21, “suffered serious injuries from a North Korean landmine.” It characterized North Korea’s “fortification of the border,” including the laying of landmines near the MDL, as a violation of the Armistice Agreement and demanded that North Korea apologize and take responsible measures.

The United Nations Command (UNC) also determined that a North Korean antipersonnel landmine had been discovered in the area south of the MDL during a joint South Korea-U.S. on-site investigation and judged this to be a violation of the Armistice Agreement. However, President Lee described the incident not as a “North Korean landmine provocation” or an “incident caused by a North Korean landmine,” but rather as an “unfortunate accident.”

In his message to North Korea, President Lee emphasized easing tensions and resuming dialogue. He stated, “While winning a battle is important, winning without fighting is more important, and the surest form of security is creating peace where there is no need to fight,” adding, “The South and the North must find a path to mutual victory and build trust for the sake of peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

He continued, “Our government will consistently pursue practical measures to reduce military tensions between the South and the North,” and added, “We expect and urge the North to now join us on the path to restoring trust and resuming the中断ed dialogue.”

He also addressed the political neutrality of the military and follow-up measures regarding the December 3 state of emergency. President Lee stated, “As the people’s army, the military must safeguard the Constitution and strictly observe political neutrality,” adding, “We will establish a culture and system that allows our military to devote itself solely to its core missions, ensuring that an illegal insurrection by the military never occurs.” He then urged commanders, “Please do your utmost to swiftly restore the public’s trust—which has been shattered—through painstaking efforts and to restore the military’s honor.”