President Lee Jae Myung on Jan. 22 chairs a meeting of his senior aides and secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Park Hye Ri

President Lee Jae Myung on Jan. 24 called a self-reliant national defense "the most basic of basics in an unstable international situation" in response to the National Defense Strategy (NDS) announced by the Trump administration of the U.S.

He wrote this on his official X (formerly Twitter) account in sharing an article analyzing the NDS.

"It would be unacceptable for the Republic of Korea, which spends 1.4 times more on national defense than North Korea's gross domestic product, to be unable to protect itself," he said. "A firm and independent national defense and peace on the Korean Peninsula enable sustainable economic growth."

Released by the U.S. Department of War on Jan. 23, the NDS said, "With its powerful military, supported by high defense spending, a robust defense industry, and mandatory conscription, South Korea is capable of taking primary responsibility for deterring North Korea."

"This shift in the balance of responsibility is consistent with America's interest in updating U.S. force posture on the Korean Peninsula."

hrhr@korea.kr