President Lee Calls for Introduction of Selective Volunteer Military System to Drive Defense Reform

▲ President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a senior secretaries meeting held at the Cheong Wa Dae on the 13th.

President Lee Jae-myung stated today (the 13th) that "we must swiftly and seamlessly pursue defense reform by introducing a selective volunteer military system to transform our military into a smart, elite force centered on advanced equipment and technology."

President Lee made the remarks during a senior secretaries meeting he presided over at the Cheong Wa Dae that day, saying, "Due to persistent low birth rates, maintaining the current inefficient military structure focused on manpower and infantry is neither viable nor desirable."

President Lee emphasized, "What is important in this process is redesigning the system so that young people, who are the primary drivers of national defense, can plan for a better future."

He went on to ask officials to "formulate meticulous policies so that military service serves as a stepping stone to good jobs, quality education, and stable asset building," adding that "ensuring young people do not feel that military service is a waste or a loss in life is a major responsibility of the government."

President Lee also instructed officials to "swiftly and boldly push forward with improvements to the treatment of junior officers."

At the same time, he stressed, "Ultimately, national defense is carried out by people, and a truly strong military is built when young people find their military service rewarding and when the military strongly supports their entry into society."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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