Lee stresses military buildup to deter war By Yoo Cheong-mo

SEOUL, Sept. 26 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Friday that his government is determined to steadily build the nation's military might to deter any war on the Korean Peninsula.

"The genuine purpose of our military buildup is not to start and win a war, but
to deter a war. A strong armed force (in South Korea) will surely deter a war.
But if we're weak, a war will be inevitable," Lee said while attending this
year's Korea-U.S. joint firepower demonstration staged on the outskirts of Seoul.
The joint firepower demonstration, the first since 1998, showcased 17 kinds of
advanced firearms, including F-15K jets and Apache helicopters, and a
network-centric warfare system.
"I today vividly witnessed the South Korean military's firearms have advanced
beyond imagination ... But we have to further build up our military strength to
stave off a war on the Korean Peninsula and maintain peace in Northeast Asia,"
said Lee.
"In case of any military provocation (from North Korea), we must win the war ...
My government will put top priority on national defense and public security.
Let's make efforts together," said the president.
ycm@yna.co.kr