President Lee Jae Myung on March 23 speaks at a meeting of a central integrated defense council at the state guesthouse Yeongbingwan of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Margareth Theresia

President Lee Jae Myung on March 23 said "a self-reliant national defense is the core of an integrated defense" at a meeting of a central integrated defense council at the state guesthouse Yeongbingwan of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung in a written briefing said, "The meeting was launched to protect the lives and properties of the people from all-around security threats and achieve a safe Republic of Korea."

"We focused on building an all-out security posture consolidating all capabilities of national security elements into one."

Attending the meeting were some 170 figures including Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Cabinet members, chair of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, director of the National Intelligence Service, heads of metropolitan and provincial governments, and key commanders from the military, police, coast guard and fire department.

President Lee gave words of encouragement to officials in charge of public safety and emphasized the importance of "a self-reliant defense" that enables national defense without reliance on external forces under any circumstances.

"A self-reliant national defense is the most crucial factor in an integrated defense," he said in an opening speech. "We have the capacity to do so at any time."

The president also stressed that the people's lives and safety depend on the preparedness of commanders at each organization, urging them to build systems and postures practical in operations in line with modern circumstances.

margareth@korea.kr