Lee Jae-myung vows to counter North Korea while seeking peace at inauguration



News Lee Jae-myung vows to counter North Korea while seeking peace at inauguration In speech, newly elected South Korean president celebrates ROK military might but stresses peace is ‘cheaper than war’ Joon Ha Park June 4, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON South Korean President Lee Jae-myung recites the presidential oath at his inauguration on June 4, 2025. \| Image: MBC News via YouTube South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae-myung vowed to counter North Korean threats with military deterrence while simultaneously pushing for dialogue and peace, delivering his inaugural address after being sworn in as leader on Wednesday. In his speech at the National Assembly’s Rotunda Hall, Lee emphasized that South Korea has a “defense budget double the size of North Korea’s GDP and the world’s fifth-largest military,” and said the ROK will “respond firmly” to “North Korean nuclear and military provocations.” South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae-myung vowed to counter North Korean threats with military deterrence while simultaneously pushing for dialogue and peace, delivering his inaugural address after being sworn in as leader on Wednesday. In his speech at the National Assembly’s Rotunda Hall, Lee emphasized that South Korea has a “defense budget double the size of North Korea’s GDP and the world’s fifth-largest military,” and said the ROK will “respond firmly” to “North Korean nuclear and military provocations.” Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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Lee Jae-myung vows to counter North Korea while seeking peace at inauguration

In speech, newly elected South Korean president celebrates ROK military might but stresses peace is ‘cheaper than war’

Joon Ha Park June 4, 2025

Lee Jae-myung vows to counter North Korea while seeking peace at inauguration

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung recites the presidential oath at his inauguration on June 4, 2025. | Image: MBC News via YouTube

South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae-myung vowed to counter North Korean threats with military deterrence while simultaneously pushing for dialogue and peace, delivering his inaugural address after being sworn in as leader on Wednesday.

In his speech at the National Assembly’s Rotunda Hall, Lee emphasized that South Korea has a “defense budget double the size of North Korea’s GDP and the world’s fifth-largest military,” and said the ROK will “respond firmly” to “North Korean nuclear and military provocations.”

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Lee Jae-myung vows to counter North Korea while seeking peace at inauguration

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