"(Korea) is the only divided nation on the face of the earth. We cannot but take defense and security seriously," Lee said while speaking to Defense Ministry officials, including Defense Minister Kim Jang-soo.
But he said the two are actually inseparable, at least for his country, claiming only a strong military can deter confrontation and secure peace.
"Reinforcing our defense and strengthening our security measures do not mean we will neglect reconciliation between the South and North Korea, but it means we can secure peace and deter a war on the Korean Peninsula when we reinforce our defense," Lee told the meeting, also attended by Kim Kwan-jin, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the chiefs of the three branches of the military.
(Story & Photo from Government Information Agency)
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