President Lee Jae-myung directed relevant ministries on the 18th to "prepare for phased implementation of possible portions of existing inter-Korean agreements." He emphasized that improving inter-Korean relations is a key task for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula ahead of the start of the Ulchi exercises.
On this day, President Lee Jae-myung chaired the first Ulchi Cabinet meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul and stated, "In the face of rapidly changing external conditions, inter-Korean relations are very important to protect Korea's national interests and expand diplomatic space."
He continued, "If small actions accumulate like pebbles, mutual trust will be restored, and the pathway to peace will widen, providing a foundation for both Koreas to grow together."
He also emphasized that "truly capable security is about maintaining peace," stating, "It is better to win without fighting than to fight and win; the most certain peace is a state without the need for conflict." He added, "What is needed now is the courage to take steps to reduce tensions on the foundation of maintaining a solid preparedness posture."
President Lee has recently been issuing messages related to easing tensions between the two Koreas. After our military withdrew loudspeakers aimed at North Korea, North Korea showed signs of dismantling loudspeakers aimed at the South. On the 12th, President Lee stated in a Cabinet meeting, "I hope we can restart communication and dialogue, creating a mutually beneficial relationship." The North's response was cold. Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Labor Party, refuted the call for the removal of loudspeakers directed at South Korea and criticized the request for resuming dialogue as "an absurd 'pipe dream.'"
However, President Lee reaffirmed in his speech commemorating the 80th anniversary of liberation that he respects the North Korean regime, does not pursue unification through absorption, and will refrain from any hostile actions.
On this day, he directly instructed relevant ministries to implement portions of the basic agreements between the two Koreas that are feasible. The government is expected to promote the phased restoration of the September 19 military agreement and inter-Korean exchange and cooperation.
Kang Yoo-jeong, the Presidential Spokesperson, explained at an afternoon briefing, "The president mentioned that aspects of the 9·19 agreement from the August 15 speech can be inherited. He seems to have reiterated the need to start with the recoverable steps to restore trust in inter-Korean relations."
President Lee emphasized that the Ulchi exercises are of a 'defensive nature.' He said, "The security concept is changing significantly due to the reorganization of the international order, rapid advancements in new technologies like artificial intelligence, and climate change." He expressed a desire that through this Ulchi exercise, our security posture will be meticulously reviewed and the nation's overall crisis management capability will be further developed. He also directed, "Please objectively evaluate the results of this Ulchi exercise and incorporate them into next year's training plan for improvement."
Spokesperson Kang stated, "(The president) made it clear that the Ulchi exercises are defensive in nature to protect the lives and safety of our citizens, and there is no intention to attack North Korea or escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula." He emphasized, "Above all, the fundamental purpose of this training is to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula and protect the lives and safety of our citizens."
The Ulchi exercises are emergency preparedness drills conducted once a year at the government level in preparation for wartime, emergencies, or equivalent national emergencies. This year's Ulchi exercise will be conducted from today until the 21st, targeting 4,000 administrative agencies, public institutions, and organizations at the town and village levels. It will proceed in conjunction with the Korea-U.S. joint military exercises under the name "Ulchi Freedom Shield."
Meanwhile, President Lee emphasized the strategy of supporting the cultural industry. He remarked, "If peace lays the foundation for economic stability, K-culture is a new driving force for strengthening national power." He referred to the animation "K-Pop Demon Hunters," which has been achieving global success, and instructed relevant ministries to establish and support a strategy for the global dissemination of K-content, including the expansion of related facilities and infrastructure, based on the principle of "support without interference."
During the full meeting of the Ulchi National Security Council on this day, attendees included Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Unification, and Defense, National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jong-suk, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon, National Security Office Director Wi Seong-lak, and the deputy directors of the National Security Office, as well as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Myung-soo.