Lee says self-reliant national defense is sovereignty itself

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SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday pledged efforts to secure the capabilities to defend the country on its own, saying self-reliant national defense means sovereignty itself.

The president made the remarks at a televised ceremony held in Ulsan, some 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to mark the launch of the ROKS Daeho Kim Jong Seo, the third and final ship of the 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer fleet that Seoul has acquired under the Gwanggaeto-III Batch-II project.

The destroyer, named after a Joseon-era general, is also the final ship in Seoul's plan to build six indigenous Aegis-equipped destroyers, according to the presidential office.

"National security that relies on the power of others is vulnerable to wavering when the country's circumstances or environment change," Lee said. "Self-reliant national defense is sovereignty itself.

"When we can defend ourselves on our own, we can determine our future," he emphasized.

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a ceremony to launch the ROKS Daeho Kim Jong Seo, the third and final ship of the 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer fleet, in the southeastern city of Ulsan on Sept. 30, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Touting the launch of the Aegis ship, Lee said South Korea has become a country with the capability to design and build the world's top-class military vessel on its own, vowing to "go all the way to realize self-reliant national defense" in recognition of the capabilities demonstrated by the ROKS Daeho Kim Jong Seo.

South Korea will add more key military assets to its fleet to strengthen self-reliant national defense, including nuclear-powered submarines and manned-unmanned teaming carriers, down the road, the president noted.

Calling the defense industry a core strategic industry, the president stressed the need to apply cutting-edge technologies in the sector and maintain what he called a "super gap" with global competitors.

"I will proactively support our shipbuilding industry in taking it to the next level while maintaining its super gap," Lee said.

He also pledged to help the local defense industry become a new growth engine for the country by supporting the industry's exports and overseas cooperation.

President Lee Jae Myung (3rd from L) and first lady Kim Hea Kyung (3rd from R) attend a ceremony to launch the ROKS Daeho Kim Jong Seo, the third and final ship of the 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer fleet, in the southeastern city of Ulsan on Sept. 30, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

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Lee says self-reliant national defense is sovereignty itself

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首尔，9月30日（韩联社）——韩国总统李在明周三承诺将努力确保国家具备独立防卫的能力，并表示自力更生的国防意味着国家主权本身。

总统在蔚山（位于首尔东南约 310 公里处）举行的电视直播仪式上发表了上述讲话。此次仪式是为了庆祝韩国大浩金钟瑞号驱逐舰下水，这是首尔根据广开土三期二批次项目采购的 8200 吨级宙斯盾驱逐舰舰队的第三艘也是最后一艘舰艇。

据总统府称，这艘以朝鲜时代将军命名的驱逐舰，也是首尔建造六艘国产宙斯盾驱逐舰计划中的最后一艘。

李说：“依赖他国力量的国家安全，一旦国家形势或环境发生变化，就很容易动摇。自力更生的国防本身就是主权。”

他强调说：“当我们能够自卫时，我们就能决定自己的未来。”

2026年9月30日，韩国总统李在明在韩国东南部城市蔚山出席“大浩金钟瑞”号驱逐舰下水仪式并发表讲话。该舰是8200吨级宙斯盾驱逐舰舰队的第三艘也是最后一艘。（联社照片）（韩联社）

李在盛赞宙斯盾舰的下水时表示，韩国已成为有能力自主设计和建造世界一流军舰的国家，并誓言“全力以赴实现国防自主”，以此表彰韩国大浩金钟瑞号所展现的能力。

总统指出，韩国未来将为其舰队增加更多关键军事资产，以加强自主国防，包括核动力潜艇和有人/无人协同作战的航母。

总统称国防工业是核心战略产业，强调需要在该领域应用尖端技术，并与全球竞争对手保持他所谓的“超级差距”。

李说：“我将积极支持我国造船业迈上新台阶，同时保持其巨大的差距。”

他还承诺将通过支持国防工业的出口和海外合作，帮助当地国防工业成为国家新的增长引擎。

2026年9月30日，韩国总统李在明（左三）和夫人金喜京（右三）在韩国东南部城市蔚山出席了“大浩金钟瑞”号驱逐舰下水仪式。该舰是8200吨级宙斯盾驱逐舰舰队的第三艘也是最后一艘。（联社照片）（韩联社）

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李说，自力更生的国防本身就是主权。