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President Lee Jae-myung adjusts his glasses as he enters the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, for the 8th meeting with senior aides on Aug. 21. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung visited the underground B-1 wartime command bunker on Thursday, the final day of the Ulchi civil defense drills, where he presided over a comprehensive situation report and inspected the facility, according to the presidential office.

Commending officials and military personnel for their efforts to strengthen national crisis management and the joint South Korea-U.S. defense posture, Lee underscored the importance of unwavering security. “If national security is shaken, the lives of our people will be threatened,” he said, urging all participants to carry out their responsibilities with vigilance.

Lee emphasized that safeguarding public safety is the state’s foremost duty. “Ensuring that citizens can live their daily lives without fear is the most important responsibility of government,” he said. “Through practical exercises, we must thoroughly review and prepare to protect the people’s safety.”

Following the meeting, Lee met with civil servants and South Korean and U.S. troops who took part in the drills to express his appreciation.

Attending the bunker inspection and briefing were Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek, Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, First Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-jong, Second Deputy Adviser Lim Woong-soon, Third Deputy Adviser Oh Hyun-joo, and Defense Secretary Kwak Tae-shin.