Lee urges armed forces to become “people’s military”

Feb 20, 2026, 05:46 pm

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President Lee Jae-myung delivers a congratulatory address at the joint commissioning ceremony of the Army, Navy and Air Force academies at Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province on Feb. 20. / Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung on Thursday called for a complete break from what he described as the legacy of “illegal martial law,” urging the armed forces to rebuild public trust and transform into a military that serves only the people.

Speaking at a joint commissioning ceremony for newly appointed officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force academies at Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province, Lee said, “We must thoroughly clear away the remnants of illegal martial law and be reborn as a ‘people’s military’ that looks only to the sovereign citizens.”

His remarks were widely interpreted as reaffirming the need for the military to restore public confidence following the Dec. 3 emergency martial law declaration.

“The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea resides in the people, and all state authority comes from them,” Lee said. “Loyalty to the nation is loyalty to the people.”

He urged the newly commissioned officers to grow into “faithful leaders of the people” who uphold political neutrality under any circumstances.

Lee emphasized stronger joint operations among the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

“Only when the services integrate and cooperate as ‘one military’ can we achieve the goal of protecting our territory and citizens,” he said, noting that unified operational capability is essential in a rapidly changing security environment.

Addressing global security concerns, Lee warned that “a logic of power prioritizing national interests is threatening the international order,” and called for vigilance rather than complacency in times of relative peace.

He outlined three key defense priorities: fostering a “smart, elite military” powered by advanced technology, strengthening self-reliant defense capabilities, and developing strategies for future warfare.

“The era centered solely on troop numbers is over,” he said, stressing the need to adapt to battlefields shaped by artificial intelligence, unmanned systems and cyber warfare. He pledged expanded defense investment and the introduction of advanced weapons systems.

Lee also underscored the importance of strategic autonomy.

“South Korea possesses the strongest military power in its history,” he said. “We must break free from outdated, dependent thinking and embrace a proactive mindset to defend our country with our own strength. The notion that self-reliant defense is impossible belongs in a museum of the past.”

He added that recovering wartime operational control based on confidence in South Korea’s defense capabilities would mark a new chapter in self-reliant defense, while maintaining the strength of the South Korea–U.S. combined defense posture.

A total of 558 newly commissioned officers from the armed services were sworn in at the ceremony. Lee pledged full support as commander-in-chief to ensure that their dedication and sacrifice for the nation’s peace and prosperity would be honored with pride and respect.

#Lee Jae-myung #martial law #South Korean military #joint commissioning ceremony