President Praises Pragmatic ROTC
By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak said the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) could be an appropriate model of ``pragmatism,'' which is the key political philosophy of his government.
In a speech at the graduation ceremony for the 46th ROTC cadets in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Lee said, ``To be faithful to both studying at college and to military training is the spirit of pragmatism itself.'' Lee took office Monday.
Saying that examples of ``creative pragmatism'' can be found everywhere, Lee said, ``You are at the forefront. You are practicing love of country and simultaneously cultivating leadership as individuals.''
The Lee administration has vowed to pursue a policy regimen of pragmatism in diplomacy, inter-Korean relations and economic policy.
Lee promised that the government will shape a society in which the military is respected, saying, ``Let's strengthen our military forces and upgrade their honor.''
He said the government will certainly honor soldiers dedicating themselves to the country and foster an environment in which those in military uniforms can be proud of themselves.
Lee pledged to transform the Korean military into an efficient high-tech force by establishing a network-centric warfare capability.
The Lee government is expected to review the current defense reforms thoroughly.
To meet the network-centric goal, it is aiming to increase defense research and development spending to 10 percent of the annual defense budget from the current 4.7 percent, according to government officials.
The government is also considering spurring outsourcing of non-combat tasks to save resources and costs. More resources will be put into building combat capability, officials said.
Experts expect that Lee will go ahead with major weapons-acquisition programs envisioned by the Roh Moo-hyun administration. The procurement will proceed as part of the military's efforts to cope with the planned transition of wartime operational control.
Lee had been exempted from compulsory military service due to the side effects of bronchial pneumonia.
Participants in the graduation ceremony included first lady Kim Yoon-ok and lawmakers.