FULL TEXT Address by President Lee Jae Myung on the 77th Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Korea

President Lee Jae Myung waves his hand while riding in a parade vehicle during the Armed Forces Day ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of South Korea's military, held at the Gyeryongdae Military Base in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. Yonhap

By Anna J. Park

• Published Oct 1, 2025 3:06 PM KST

Address by President Lee Jae Myung on the 77th Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Korea

October 1, 2025

My fellow Korean citizens, and proud members of the Armed Forces,

I sincerely congratulate you on the 77th anniversary of our Armed Forces Day.

Here at Gyeryongdae, home to the Army, Navy, and Air Force headquarters, I am filled with pride as I stand before the full strength of our military that defends Korea’s land, sea, and air. I am filled with emotions.

I extend my deepest gratitude and heartfelt applause to all the courageous service members who dedicate themselves to protecting our territory and our sovereign people.

I also pay tribute and express deep appreciation to the independence fighters and Liberation Army participated in the Korean independence movement, to the fallen heroes, war veterans, and reservists who sacrificed and dedicated themselves to the nation.

My sincere thanks as well to the U.S. Forces Korea and the United Nations Command for standing with us to preserve peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Fellow members of the armed forces,

Today marks the 77th Armed Forces Day, yet the history of our military began long before that.

The independence fighters and Liberation Army, who fought for our nation’s freedom, are the roots and foundation of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.

They led the way in reclaiming our nation from devastation and, together with the Allied forces, brought about liberation. Without their blood-stained struggle, neither the shining 80th anniversary of our liberation nor the remarkable progress since would have been possible.

We must never forget that the spirit of those who fought with their lives to regain sovereignty and protect the people is a noble duty our armed forces must remember and protect.

I urge our forces to stay committed to their duty of protecting the country and people with great pride.

Looking back our history, when the military lost sight of its mission and became the means for personal power, democracy severely deteriorated and the people had to suffer in the great pain.

On December 3rd last year, sided with those in power, some military commanders forgot their duty and turned their guns on the people.

Fortunately, thanks to the soldiers, as citizens in uniforms, who had the courage to resist an unfair order, we were able to avoid greater tragedy and disaster.

However, the consequences are truly immense.

Following a regression in democracy, breakdown of people’s livelihood, fall in national reputation, the damage our people suffered was too huge to measure simply by adding it up.

Our military’s reputation and credibility suffered an endless decline.

An army meant to protect the people must never repeat pointing its guns at them.

The military needs to regain the people’s trust swiftly and properly fulfill its duty and responsibilities.

Let’s work together to become armed forces trusted by the people and proudly follow the path of an honorable solider.

As a commander-in-chief and the president who is responsible for Korean citizens, I will clear remnants of illegal martial law and strengthen institutional framework to rebuild the military that protects Constitution and the people.

Join us the path where our military reborn as a democratic republic’s military and the people’s military.

Fellow Koreans and our proud members of the Armed Forces, those of us living today are given with shared responsibility.

Lantern of ‘peace’ must be lifted to ensure that the blood and sweat of patriotic martyrs and fallen heroes are not in vain, and to secure a bright future of the Republic of Korea they have protected.

Building a peaceful nation free from war concerns, and a hopeful nation where all individuals enjoy serene and free lives and can dream about the future is a responsibility given to us.

Achieving peace is possible on a strong foundation of security, and the most reliable form of security is a state where conflict is unnecessary, in other words, peace.

Without peace, the development of democracy and economic growth are all impossible delusion.

It is difficult to protect the people’s lives and safety if a country has no power.

We must make our country strong, able to firmly repel threats to peace and daily life, and an impregnable nation that no one dares to encroach upon our sovereignty.

Over the past 77 years, Republic of Korea has developed a stronger defense power than ever before in its history.

From a country which used to rely on allies for weapons, it has now become a country with strong defense industry, exporting cutting-edge tanks, self-propelled artillery, fighter jets, and submarines

Republic of Korea is a powerful nation with the world’s fifth strongest military strength, spending on defense 1.4 times more than North Korea’s GDP, and our integrated national strength, economically and culturally, rivals any other country.

We also have strong ties with countries that share values, a solid ROK-U.S. alliance, and a reliable nuclear deterrent based on that partnership.

There is no reason to doubt our national defense power and even less reason to feel anxious.

We should move toward a strong, self-reliant defense, based on our pride and confidence in our military power.

To respond actively to the changing security environment, self-reliant defense is a must.

The longest period of peace and coexistence in history is coming to an end.

The momentum for cooperation and shared prosperity is weakening across the world, and we are entering an era of increased conflict, where it’s every man for himself.

To ensure peace and prosperity for the Republic of Korea, we must not depend on anyone else but strengthen our own power.

I make three promises to turn the dream of a strong self-reliant defense nation, one that can protect our security and peace in any situation, into reality.

First, we will build a ‘smart, elite, strong force’ that will lead future warfare and secure victory.

Advanced innovative technology is changing the paradigm of the battlefield.

Since future battlefields are expected to have no people, outdated tactics like human-wave strategy that relies on troop numbers is not enough anymore.

A military equipped with integrated manned and unmanned advanced weapon systems like AI combat robots, autonomous drones, and precision attack and defense missile systems are the solution.

We will allocate 66.3 trillion Korean won for next year’s defense budget, with a significant on-year increase(8.2%), focusing on investing in introducing advanced weapon systems and cutting-edge technology such as AI, drones, and robot.

We will reform our military into capable and professional smart, elite forces by significantly expanding the investment in defense strategic technology sector including advanced aero engine and stealth technology.

The Republic of Korea will lead a joint defense posture with Washington by regaining the operational control based on firm ROK-U.S. alliance.

Solid combined defense capability and posture will not only bring peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula but also contribute to the region’s stability and shared prosperity.

Second, we will catch two birds with one stone: strengthening national defense and economic development by actively fostering defense industry.

Our defense industry, known for its outstanding performance and high efficiency, is the backbone of a strong security as well as a promising future industry.

The harsh terrain and division of the Korean Peninsula laid the foundation for the world-recognized K-defense we have today.

We will help the K-defense grow globally by turning rapidly changing global security landscape into an opportunity.

We will boldly invest in developing defense technology and support in building a defense ecosystem to ensure that the growth of defense industry drives both strong national defense and economic development.

Third, we will improve soldiers’ welfare and raise their morale.

We will improve service conditions and compensation system to ensure soldiers’ safety.

We will improve the conditions for junior officers, who are key of frontline combat power, and boost job security for mid-level officers, the backbone of the military.

We will improve support and better treat injured soldiers with honor so that cynical lament of ‘The state’s children are called up; ignored when injured’ no longer be tolerated.

We will make sure all soldiers take pride in being party of a strong military that paves the way for peace and prosperity.

From now on, Korea’s military will become the strongest force, standing firm against any threat, under a powerful defense and firm readiness posture to protect the lives and property of the people.

Fellow proud members of the armed forces, we have long been taught and teaching that soldiers protect the country.

The basis of the ‘nation’ that we need to protect is the people.

Our Constitution states that ‘all state authority shall emanate from the people.’

Therefore, protecting the country means protecting the people.

For soldiers, honor, the highest virtue and value, comes from the trust of the people.

When our military upholds the Constitution and democratic value, and faithfully serves as ‘loyal soldiers of the people’, the trust of the people will grow, and military’s honor will rise.

There is no stronger military than one trusted by the people. When our military becomes truly ‘of the people, by the people’, it will carry even greater strength.

Let’s focus on protecting the people, not power, and become an elite force that defends the peace and prosperity of our country, following the will of the people.

I will do my best to make sure the dedication and sacrifices of our soldiers shine with honor and pride.

We trust the soldiers of the Republic of Korea.

We feel reassured because of all of you.

Thank you.