Candidate Lee Jong-seop: "North Korea's Missile Test Launch is a 'Provocation'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Defense Minister nominee Lee Jong-seop officially labeled North Korea's missile test launches as "provocations" for the first time in a public setting.

In his opening remarks at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's National Defense Committee on the morning of the 4th, Lee stated that his top priority after taking office would be to "intensively strengthen deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea and firmly respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats." He further assessed that "North Korea has carried out 13 missile provocations this year and held a large-scale military parade, heightening military tensions."

He also pledged to "enhance the cohesion of the ROK-US military alliance and expand mutually beneficial defense cooperation with allied countries," adding, "We will increase the execution capability of tailored deterrence strategies and expand cooperation areas between South Korea and the US, including defense science and technology."

Additionally, he presented goals for building a "strong defense and science and technology-based military," including the phased establishment of AI-based manned and unmanned combined combat systems and the establishment of operational systems in space and cyber domains.

Furthermore, he envisions fostering the defense industry as a "national advanced strategic industry" while actively supporting the strengthening of competitiveness in defense exports.

Lee promised, "We will practically improve the military service environment to increase the satisfaction of future generation soldiers," and "We will create a culture where military service obligations are socially respected."

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