Lim Jongdeuk Responds to President Lee’s Self-Reliant Defense Remarks: “Alliances Must Be Strengthened, Not Excluded”

On September 22, Assemblyman Lim Jongdeuk of the People Power Party responded to President Lee Jaemyung’s statement on social media that “the idea that self-reliant national defense is impossible without foreign troops is a submissive mindset,” saying, “President Lee’s argument reflects the outdated activist perspective of the 1970s and 1980s,” and added, “Self-reliant national defense is not about excluding alliances, but rather is achieved by strengthening alliances.”

In a statement released that day, Assemblyman Lim said, “Self-reliant national defense does not mean that we alone will be responsible for our security. Building a combined defense posture on the foundation of a robust South Korea-United States alliance is what true self-reliant defense is.” Assemblyman Lim, a former military officer, has served as the commander of the 17th Infantry Division, Defense Secretary at the National Security Office, Deputy Commander of the Capital Corps, and Second Deputy Director of the National Security Office. He is currently a member of the National Assembly’s Defense Committee.

Assemblyman Lim stated, “Throughout history, alliances have been essential in war. In modern warfare, which incurs tremendous costs, it is not only impossible but also inefficient for a country to prepare for everything alone to preserve itself,” adding, “True self-reliant national defense is achieved by maximizing the capabilities of our military and integrating them with allied forces.”

He continued, “Even the United States, the world’s strongest power, fights wars with allies and partner nations. Russia, which illegally invaded Ukraine alone, has struggled far more than expected, and only managed to recapture the Kursk region with the support of North Korean troops illegally dispatched through an alliance with North Korea. This is an extreme example that demonstrates the necessity of alliances.”

Assemblyman Lim further pointed out, “There is a fact that President Lee is overlooking. North Korea is currently pressuring us by claiming to be a nuclear-armed state,” and added, “I would like to ask President Lee whether we can respond to North Korea’s nuclear threat without the extended deterrence provided by the United States.”

Additionally, Assemblyman Lim addressed President Lee’s comment regarding manpower shortages, in which he stated that ‘with artificial intelligence (AI) combat robots, a force of 50 can handle thousands or tens of thousands of enemies.’ Lim responded, “The idea that military power starts with manpower is the most basic principle,” and emphasized, “Ultimately, what ends a war is the deployment of large-scale ground forces, and we must not forget this.” Assemblyman Lim added, “North Korea’s military numbers over one million, while our armed forces have only about 450,000 personnel, and the era of 350,000 is not far off. This is not a situation that can be overcome with AI combat robots and similar technologies.”

Assemblyman Lim urged, “I call on President Lee to make wise decisions for the Republic of Korea. I hope he will immediately abandon the unrealistic belief that peace, in which there is no need to fight while relying solely on North Korea’s goodwill, constitutes true security,” and concluded, “We must not forget that only self-reliant national defense based on the South Korea-United States alliance can deter North Korean provocations and protect the Republic of Korea.”

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