South Korean President Lee Jae Myung told a delegation of U.S. lawmakers on Thursday that Seoul seeks to take primary responsibility for defense against North Korea, outlining his administration’s commitment to “greater military self-reliance.”

“In line with the U.S. government’s direction, it is appropriate for the defense of the Korean Peninsula to be handled by our own strength,” the president told the bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators at the Blue House. 

The congressional delegation consisted of Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Jacklyn Rosen of Nevada, Thomas Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah. Their visit to Seoul