Lee urges military to deal with new security threats

By Yoo Cheong-mo

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday urged South
Korea's military forces to expand their role in coping with terrorism, human
rights violations, natural disasters and other common threats to mankind.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the country's Armed Forces Day, Lee reiterated his
determination to further build up the nation's military power to deter war and
ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula.
"The security environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia
is rapidly changing, while the factors for potential future threats are being
diversified," Lee said at the ceremony held in Seoul.
"Amid the changes, the military forces have a new, historical task of realizing
the unification of the Korean Peninsula and promoting national advancement. An
advanced military should be strong and able to cope with terrorism, human rights
violations, natural disasters and other common threats to mankind," said the
president.
South Korea's Armed Forces Day falls on Oct. 1, the day that South Korean forces
broke through the inter-Korean border in 1950 during the Korean War.
"Only a strong military can defend the national land, deter a war and guarantee
peace. The Korean people should be convinced that the (Korean) armed forces will
always win should a war break out," said Lee.
He also stressed that the armed forces should always be devoted to protecting the
lives and properties of the Korean people. In turn, the president vowed to
further improve the welfare of the military, including career soldiers and
officers.