South Korea's Lee Pushes Stronger Self-Defence, Calls Drills Defensive

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for a significant strengthening of the country's independent defence capabilities, while insisting that ongoing civil-defence exercises are purely defensive and not directed at North Korea.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Lee argued that a robust alliance with the United States and a self-reliant military are complementary goals. "A strong alliance makes the foundation of security stronger, and strengthening our own capabilities increases our value and necessity as an ally," he said.

The remarks come amid a shifting security landscape, following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump has also indicated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un responded positively to his outreach.

Lee reaffirmed Seoul's commitment to the planned transfer of wartime operational control from the United States during his term, saying the process should proceed without disruption. He also called for accelerated progress on a nuclear-powered submarine programme and for developing officers capable of handling integrated operations, noting that the boundaries between traditional battlefields are blurring.

At a National Security Council meeting later in the day, Lee addressed the civil-defence exercises that run alongside the major U.S.-South Korea military drills. He stated that these exercises are defensive in character, aimed at safeguarding the lives and safety of South Korean citizens. He added that Seoul has no intention of using them to attack North Korea or raise tensions on the peninsula, and that their purpose is to protect daily life rather than target any specific adversary.