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President Lee Jae-myung speaks at the first Eulji Cabinet meeting held at the presidential office on the 18th. / Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung called for accelerating South Korea's nuclear-powered submarine program, the transfer of wartime operational control, and preparations to establish a joint military academy, presenting them as core defense reform tasks at a Cabinet meeting on the 18th. The aim is to strengthen Korea's independent defense capabilities and elevate the strategic value it brings to the Korea-U.S. alliance.

In his opening remarks at the first Eulji Cabinet meeting held at the presidential office that day, President Lee said, "A solid alliance strengthens the foundation of our security, and building up our own strength increases the value and necessity of that alliance."

In particular, President Lee described the nuclear-powered submarine program as a key project symbolizing the future of the Korea-U.S. alliance, saying, "Please accelerate the nuclear-powered submarine program, which will symbolize a more constructive and solid future for the Korea-U.S. alliance."

He also designated the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) as a task to be completed within his term. OPCON transfer carries significant symbolic weight for self-reliant defense while also being a core issue tied to adjustments in the combined Korea-U.S. defense system.

President Lee said, "To this end, we must push forward without disruption to complete the transfer of wartime operational control within this administration's term, in line with the government's original plan."

President Lee said, "A strong national defense is the most basic foundation for protecting people's lives and realizing an irreplaceable Korea," adding, "It's no exaggeration to say our capacity to defend ourselves already ranks among the strongest in the world." He also said, "To prepare for future warfare, where the boundaries of the battlefield have become meaningless, we also need to train officers with integrated operational capabilities," adding, "I hope preparations to establish the joint military academy also proceed steadily without wavering."

                                                                                                         Park Young-hoon