President Lee Jae Myung commented on January 24 that the new National Defense Strategy (NDS) unveiled by the Donald Trump administration in the U.S. reinforces the notion that robust self-defense and stability on the Korean Peninsula are key drivers of sustained economic growth.
Later that day, Lee took to X (formerly Twitter) to emphasize that in today’s volatile global landscape, self-reliant defense capabilities are absolutely fundamental.
The President pointed out that it’s inconceivable for South Korea, which outspends North Korea’s entire gross domestic product (GDP) on defense by a factor of 1.4 and boasts the world’s fifth-strongest military, to be unable to defend itself. This statement appears to underscore the administration’s commitment to transferring wartime operational control within its term.
In the newly released 2026 NDS, the Pentagon acknowledged South Korea’s formidable military prowess, attributing it to substantial defense spending, a robust defense industry, and mandatory conscription. The report suggests that South Korea is well-equipped to take the lead in deterring North Korean aggression, with important but more limited support from U.S. forces.
This NDS announcement is expected to accelerate Seoul’s ambitious plans to assume wartime operational control by 2030.