President Yoon Suk Yeol stated on October 1 that South Korea will successfully build nuclear-powered submarines using domestic technology by the mid-2030s.
He reaffirmed his commitment to completing a self-defense system led by the South Korean military through the recovery of operational control authority.
During the 78th National Defense Day ceremony held at the Gyeryongdae airstrip in South Chungcheong Province, President Yoon emphasized, "Self-defense is sovereignty," and declared, "We will achieve this dream, which has persisted for half a century, together with the people by recovering operational control authority."
He highlighted the necessity of self-defense, referencing his attendance the previous day at the launch ceremony of the sixth Aegis destroyer, the Kim Jong-seo.
President Yoon characterized self-defense as a national task continued by past administrations. He noted, "President Park Chung-hee initiated our defense industry by advocating for the production of even a single rifle," and praised former President Roh Moo-hyun for advancing the dream with his commitment to defense reform and operational control authority.
He stated, "The most certain security is to create a state where there is no need to fight, that is, 'peace,'" urging both North and South Korea to find a path to mutual victory and build trust for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
He added, "Our government will consistently implement practical measures to reduce military tensions between the North and South," and expressed hope that North Korea would join in restoring trust and resuming dialogue.
President Yoon also unveiled plans for a major military restructuring centered on artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned systems. He aims to transition the military from a personnel-centric model to a 'smart elite military' focused on technology and leadership in response to declining conscription resources.
He stated, "We will enhance AI and hybrid systems and redesign the overall defense posture accordingly," while also accelerating the development of future military capabilities, including the Korean three-axis system, high-energy laser interception weapons, AI-based command and control systems, and high-power missiles.
He reiterated his intention to establish a 'Military Academy' to train world-class elite officers with integrated operational capabilities in preparation for future warfare, urging swift and decisive action to unify military sentiment.
He also discussed restructuring the military through a 'selective recruitment system,' aiming to increase technology-intensive non-commissioned officers and strengthen reserve forces through improvements in the active reserve system and mobilization training.
President Yoon emphasized, "Your morale is our defense power," asserting that the time spent serving the country should not be seen as a personal loss. The government plans to significantly raise the base salary for junior officers and provide incentives for short-term service non-commissioned officers starting next year.
He highlighted that the defense budget for next year is set at 73 trillion won, an 8.2% increase from the previous year.
President Yoon urged the military to focus solely on its constitutional duty to protect the lives and safety of the people while maintaining political neutrality, stating, "The people's sovereignty government has been eliminating the remnants of illegal martial law and will continue to establish a culture and system that allows the military to focus solely on its original mission to prevent any recurrence of illegal insurrections by the military."
Approximately 3,600 people, including soldiers, their families, and citizens, attended the event. President Yoon awarded the Order of Chungmu to the late Colonel Kim O-rang and late Corporal Jeong Seon-yeop, who died fighting against the coup forces during the December 12 military coup.
He expressed his wishes for the speedy recovery of soldiers injured in a recent incident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), stating, "We are reminded that our ordinary day is built on the risks faced by others."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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