The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    NewJeans wins 2 grand prizes at Melon Music Awards 2023

  • 3

    Seoul says FEOC guidance reduces uncertainty, will continue close consultation with US

  • 5

    Seoul Metro begins real-time translation service for foreign tourists at Myeong-dong Station

  • 7

    JYP to host annual audition in January

  • 9

    Son-dol: a cold day for a ferryman and a merchant

  • 11

    PPP slams abstainers in Assembly resolution on China's forced return of NK defectors

  • 13

    N. Korea bristles at US over comments about possible disabling of spy satellite

  • 15

    Space race heats up between two Koreas after Seoul launches spy satellite

  • 17

    NK warns 'physical clash, war' on Korean Peninsula a matter of time, not possibility

  • 19

    Koreas' spy satellite launches heat up arms race in space

  • 2

    First S. Korea spy satellite successfully launched into orbit

  • 4

    INTERVIEWEcolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management

  • 6

    Half-conscious Koreans

  • 8

    Major conglomerates speed up generational shifts in leadership

  • 10

    Ronaldo walks off to chants of 'Messi! Messi!' as his team loses 3-0 in Riyadh derby

  • 12

    Korean economy to start shrinking by 2050 if low birthrate unaddressed: BOK report

  • 14

    KOICA’s global supporters conclude remarkable journey with grand finale show

  • 16

    ANALYSISHas N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent?

  • 18

    New US rules, aimed at curbing China, could make it harder for EV buyers to claim a full tax credit

  • 20

    INTERVIEW'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Mon, December 4, 2023 | 22:19
Defense
New Defense Minister Lee takes office, warns of 'stern' response to possible North Korea's provocations
Posted : 2022-05-11 11:29
Updated : 2022-05-11 11:32
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup writes a message in the guestbook at Seoul National Cemetery in Seoul, May 11. Yonhap
Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup writes a message in the guestbook at Seoul National Cemetery in Seoul, May 11. Yonhap

New South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup took office Wednesday, vowing to "sternly" respond to any possible provocations from North Korea and to cement the alliance with the United States.

In his inaugural speech, Lee, a retired three-star Army general, stressed his commitment to ensuring a "robust" defense as he pointed to the "very grave" security context marked by the North's evolving nuclear weapons and missile threats and an intensifying Sino-U.S. rivalry.

"If North Korea conducts a tactical provocation, we will sternly respond in light of our right to self-defense," Lee said, referring to the North's possible military steps that "directly" undermine the South's security.

"We will increase cohesion in the military alliance between South Korea and the U.S. and expand mutually beneficial defense cooperation with friendly nations," he added.

His inauguration comes as the allies are stepping up security coordination amid forecasts that the North could carry out a nuclear test between new President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration Tuesday and U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Seoul for their first in-person summit slated for May 21.

In the speech, Lee also pledged to "dramatically" strengthen the country's so-called three-axis system designed to counter the North's security threats.

The system consists of the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation, an operational plan to incapacitate the North Korean leadership in a major conflict; the Kill Chain preemptive strike platform; and the Korea Air and Missile Defense system.

The new minister also expressed his wish to develop the defense industry into a "strategic cutting-edge industrial sector that leads our economic growth."

A graduate of the Korea Military Academy, Lee previously served in various high-profile military positions, such as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and commander of the Army's 7th Corps. (Yonhap)



 
wooribank
LG group
Top 10 Stories
1[INTERVIEW] Ecolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management INTERVIEWEcolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management
2Seoul Metro begins real-time translation service for foreign tourists at Myeong-dong Station Seoul Metro begins real-time translation service for foreign tourists at Myeong-dong Station
3Son-dol: a cold day for a ferryman and a merchant Son-dol: a cold day for a ferryman and a merchant
4Korean economy to start shrinking by 2050 if low birthrate unaddressed: BOK report Korean economy to start shrinking by 2050 if low birthrate unaddressed: BOK report
5Space race heats up between two Koreas after Seoul launches spy satellite Space race heats up between two Koreas after Seoul launches spy satellite
6[ANALYSIS] Has N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent? ANALYSISHas N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent?
7[INTERVIEW] 'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights INTERVIEW'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights
8Uncertainty lingers over Ven. Jaseung's death Uncertainty lingers over Ven. Jaseung's death
9Korean battery firms face higher costs for access to US subsidies Korean battery firms face higher costs for access to US subsidies
10[INTERVIEW] Korea to work with US, Japan to fight climate change INTERVIEWKorea to work with US, Japan to fight climate change
Top 5 Entertainment News
1JYP to host annual audition in JanuaryJYP to host annual audition in January
2Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audience at Korea International FestivalTaipei Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audience at Korea International Festival
3Popular talk show 'Strong Heart' returns with new format Popular talk show 'Strong Heart' returns with new format
4How Lee Ung-no pioneered East-West fusion through brushstrokesHow Lee Ung-no pioneered East-West fusion through brushstrokes
5[REVIEW] Preview gala sets stage for grand premiere of 'La Rose de Versailles' musical REVIEWPreview gala sets stage for grand premiere of 'La Rose de Versailles' musical
DARKROOM
  • It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

    It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

    2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

  • Appreciation of autumn colors

    Appreciation of autumn colors

  • Our children deserve better

    Our children deserve better

  • Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

    Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel: 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844
Date of registration: 2020.02.05
Masthead: The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group