President Lee: "We Must Accelerate the Introduction of Nuclear-Powered Submarines"... Orders Swift Transfer of Wartime Operational Control

President Lee Presides Over Cabinet and Emergency Economic Meetings

Mentions Nuclear Submarines as Core Future Defense Strategy

Emphasizes Transition to Independent Security and Advanced Military

"True Strength Lies Not Just in Winning Wars, But in Making War Unnecessary"


Projects Nominal Growth Rate Near 10%

"Aims to Make This Year the Starting Point for a Rebound in Potential Growth"

Calls for Fostering Southeast Marine Economic Zone and Formulating Second-Half Economic Strategy

On the 26th, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "We must accelerate the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, which are a core strategy for the future of national defense." Amid a global realignment and growing security uncertainty, President Lee emphasized the need to transition military capabilities toward advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and drones, while also presenting the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines as a key task for strengthening independent national security. He also mentioned the outlook that this year's nominal growth rate could approach 10%, stressing the importance of an active fiscal role to make this year the starting point for a rebound in potential growth.

President Lee Jae-myung is reviewing documents at the Cabinet Meeting combined with the Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting held at the Blue House on the 26th. May 26, 2026 [Photo by Blue House Press Photographers] Yonhap News

Presiding over the 23rd Cabinet Meeting and the 10th Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting at the main building of the Blue House that morning, President Lee said, "Robust security is the essential foundation for advancing as a globally leading economic powerhouse, and growth without peace is nothing but a house built on sand," reiterating his stance.

As the first priority, he called for speeding up the transition to an advanced, future-ready military. President Lee said, "We need to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence and drone technologies, and we must also expedite the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, which are a core strategy for the future of national defense." He continued, "We must pool our efforts to foster the K-defense industry, which is the backbone of advanced national defense, by continuously expanding the research and development (R&D) budget, localizing key components, and strengthening public-private cooperation frameworks."

President Lee also stated, "We must accelerate the cultivation of innovative future security companies that will lead the global market in fields such as robotics, drones, and space." This suggests that strengthening military capabilities should not be limited to simply augmenting firepower, but should also be linked to nurturing the advanced industrial ecosystem.

In addition to enhancing national defense capabilities, President Lee also emphasized pragmatic, national interest-driven diplomacy. He said, "In addition to military power, we must firmly establish a close multilateral security diplomatic network through pragmatic diplomacy focused on national interests. While winning wars is important, efforts to build peace and prevent wars are equally crucial."

President Lee also instructed that the transfer of wartime operational control should be pursued swiftly. He stated, "Our security must be based on the firm stance that we take full responsibility for it ourselves. Only with a strong will for independent defense will our friends respect us, and our alliances remain stronger." He further directed, "Please proceed with the transfer of wartime operational control, which will drive the healthy development of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, as quickly and seamlessly as possible."

President Lee Jae-myung listens to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Koo Yoon-chul’s remarks at the Cabinet Meeting and Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting held at the Blue House on May 26, 2026. Photo by Blue House Press Photographers, Yonhap News Agency

President Lee also mentioned his plan to foster the Southeast Marine Economic Zone on this day. He said, "With the rapid changes in the international order and the acceleration of supply chain restructuring, securing a global lead in the marine sector has become more important than ever." He added, "The southeastern region, equipped with an excellent manufacturing ecosystem, logistics infrastructure, and a solid hinterland, has enough potential to grow into a world-class marine economic zone."

Accordingly, he announced that the relocation of additional public institutions and companies would be pushed forward swiftly, following the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and HMM. President Lee said, "Following the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the relocation of HMM has also been confirmed. In order to elevate the southeastern region into a global marine economic zone, we must promptly proceed with the relocation of other public institutions or companies that have long been under consideration."

He continued, "By establishing a new Southeast Investment Corporation, expanding port infrastructure, and fostering the marine and fisheries industries, we must ensure that the southeastern region is reborn as the southern maritime capital." He further pledged, "We will do our utmost to ensure this initiative serves as a pathbreaker for balanced national development and the future of a maritime powerhouse."

President Lee Jae-myung is entering the Cabinet meeting and Emergency Economic Inspection meeting at the Blue House on the 26th. May 26, 2026 [Photo by Blue House Press Photographers Team] Yonhap News

Regarding the economic situation, President Lee reiterated that this year should mark the beginning of a rebound in potential growth and again called for an active fiscal role. He said, "Despite challenging external conditions such as the prolonged Middle East conflict, the economy is recovering and growing rapidly, and there are forecasts that this year's nominal growth rate could approach 10%." He stressed the need to "meticulously develop an economic strategy for the second half of the year that reflects these changing circumstances." As the top priority, he emphasized the need to pursue price stability and structural reform simultaneously.

In terms of fiscal management, President Lee called for both an active role and spending efficiency. He said, "To make this year the starting point for a rebound in potential growth, I ask for meticulous and swift policy responses based on an active fiscal role." However, he also stated, "Unnecessary and non-urgent fiscal expenditures should be boldly reduced."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.