President Lee Jae-myung is calling for a major overhaul of the South Korean military, pushing for a move away from traditional, personnel-heavy forces and towards a high-tech, 'smart and elite military.' The president's statements, made on June 21, are seen as a direct challenge to what he calls a "submissive mindset" that believes national defense is impossible without foreign military assistance. This comes amidst ongoing discussions about modernizing the U.S.-South Korea alliance, which includes potential changes to the role of U.S. forces in Korea and debates over defense cost-sharing.

The president's comments also follow a series of recent accidents involving casualties among military personnel, suggesting his message is aimed at tightening discipline and accountability within the armed forces. On his Facebook page, President Lee wrote that "powerful, autonomous, and self-reliant national defense is our most important task at this time." He emphasized the need to grow national power, increase defense spending, foster a high-morale "smart and strong military," and vigorously develop the defense industry. This statement appears to be a direct rebuttal to concerns that modernizing the U.S.-South Korea alliance could weaken South Korea's own defense capabilities.

A Shift to AI-Powered Defense 

To underscore his vision, President Lee linked a news article titled "270,000 ROK Troops vs. 1.13 Million DPRK Troops by 2040... Population Cliff to Erode Forces." He argued that South Korea's military must transform from a "past-style, human-wave tactics-dependent force" into a "competent and specialized smart elite force" equipped with unmanned and multi-system complexes. He specifically mentioned AI-powered combat robots, autonomous drones, and ultra-precise attack and defense missile systems as key components of this future force. He also highlighted that South Korea's annual defense budget is 1.4 times North Korea's GDP and that it ranks fifth globally in military power, asserting that the South already has a decisive advantage in economic power and population.

Recalling President Roh Moo-hyun's 'Disgraceful' Remarks 

In a powerful move to reinforce his message, President Lee invoked the words of former President Roh Moo-hyun, who famously criticized military leaders with what Lee called the "excessive phrase 'poop stars.'" President Roh's fiery 2005 remarks targeted military officers, asking, "You created a military that can't even properly command its own operations, and now you go around bragging, 'I'm the Minister of National Defense,' 'I'm the Chief of Staff,' with all those stars on your shoulders? You should be ashamed of yourselves."

Analysts suggest that by recalling Roh's strong stance, President Lee is not only reaffirming his own commitment to self-reliant defense but also directly targeting military officials who may have shown complacency in their response to recent military accidents. The use of such a historical reference adds weight to his call for a more responsible and effective military leadership.

Critiques and Strategic Gaps 

However, some critics have pointed out what they see as a significant gap in President Lee's defense strategy: the absence of a clear nuclear deterrence plan. Kim Dong-joong, a professor of international studies at Korea University, noted that the most crucial aspect of the U.S. Forces Korea is their deterrent effect against North Korea's nuclear capabilities. He argued that while the push for overwhelming self-reliant defense is important, it must be accompanied by a strategic vision to complement nuclear deterrence. The debate highlights the complex challenges facing South Korea as it seeks to balance a modern, autonomous military with the realities of regional threats.