Lee Jae-myung: "The wartime operational control must be swiftly reclaimed... entrusting military sovereignty to another country is beyond common sense"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is delivering the keynote speech at a debate hosted by the Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 30th, "We must reclaim wartime operational control as quickly as possible." He added, "Isn't it true that there are no cases worldwide where an independent sovereign nation entrusts its military operational control to another country? Military sovereignty is at the core of sovereignty, and operational control is the core of military sovereignty. Leaving this (to another country) is actually beyond common sense and an exceptional situation."

At a forum held by the Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association at the Korea Press Center that day, Lee said, "It is important to quickly complete the verification process already agreed upon (between South Korea and the U.S.)." He added, "I also think this way: why not just reclaim it? Why say you will reclaim it only after certain conditions are met or capabilities are verified? However, since there is an agreement, we must strive to follow that procedure." He continued, "I really don't understand the idea that self-defense is impossible without entrusting it to the U.S. I hear that many in the military think this way, which is shocking."

Regarding North Korea policy, when asked, "If another incident like the demolition of the inter-Korean joint liaison office occurs, how would you respond?" he said, "That doesn't mean we can impose military sanctions. We must clarify our position, and excessive actions should be met with corresponding measures."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is attending and speaking at a debate hosted by the Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

He pointed out, "I think the Moon Jae-in administration did its best, but what I find lacking is this: agreements that cannot be kept should not be made, and if made, they must be kept. It seems there were aspects where this was not sufficiently done, which became a pretext for North Korea to blow up the inter-Korean joint liaison office." He added, "In that regard, I will act somewhat differently. I will speak frankly to North Korea and be firm enough not to be criticized as humiliating."

Regarding the increased possibility of Taiwan being invited to RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise), a U.S.-led multinational maritime joint exercise, and when asked, "The exercise will be held in Hawaii in August; what would you do if you become president?" he said, "We are in a very difficult position geopolitically, caught between maritime and continental powers. We need to make bolder decisions from our own standpoint, not theirs." He added, "I am somewhat hopeful that Taiwan is more likely not to participate."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.