President Lee Visits Yeonpyeong Unit: Announces Plan to Minimize Conscription and Expand Volunteer Military, Outlines Military Reform Vision

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On the 24th, President Lee Jae-myung visited the Marine Corps Yeonpyeong Unit and stated, "We will minimize conscription and transition to a system where individuals can choose the military as their workplace through voluntary enlistment." He outlined his vision to restructure the armed forces around professional soldiers and officers specializing in the operation of advanced weapons and equipment, and to ensure that military service becomes a period for accumulating skills that are also applicable in civilian society.

President Lee Jae-myung is inspecting the firepower equipment at the Marine Yeonpyeong Unit in Ongjin County, Incheon, on June 24, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

President Lee held a luncheon meeting with about 80 Marine Corps officers and soldiers at the Yeonpyeong Unit cafeteria that day, saying, "Unlike in the past, our soldiers must be reborn as professional troops and officers operating cutting-edge weaponry and equipment systems." He continued, "We will reform the military system so that the time spent in the armed forces is not wasted, but instead allows individuals to fully demonstrate their abilities when they return to society."

President Lee further emphasized, "As I have promised many times in the past, we will minimize conscription and move towards a system where people can choose the military as their workplace through voluntary enlistment," adding, "I will make the Republic of Korea’s military future-oriented."

This visit marks the first time in 14 years that a sitting president has visited the Yeonpyeong Unit since former President Lee Myung-bak in 2012. The Office of the President explained that the visit reflects President Lee’s commitment to encourage the Yeonpyeong Unit members, who are performing their national defense duties day and night under the most challenging conditions.

Upon entering the Yeonpyeong Unit parade ground, President Lee took commemorative photos with the soldiers and then inspected seven pieces of maneuver and firepower equipment, including the K-9 self-propelled howitzer and Cheonmu multiple rocket launcher. After receiving reports on the specifications and performance of equipment such as the K1E1 tank and Spike missile, President Lee asked whether these were used exclusively by the Marine Corps or also by the Army, and expressed interest in defense export achievements. He then boarded the K9A1 self-propelled howitzer—considered a major export item in overseas defense markets—to check its performance firsthand.

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering an encouragement speech at a luncheon with soldiers held on the 24th at the Marine Corps Yeonpyeong Unit in Ongjin County, Incheon. 2026.6.24 Yonhap News Agency Photo by Yonhap News

During the luncheon with the soldiers, requests were made to improve living conditions in remote frontline areas. President Lee remarked, "A few months ago, I wanted to visit, but due to bad weather I only sent fried chicken. I heard you enjoyed it," to which the soldiers responded, "We enjoyed it very much." President Lee said, "Thanks to your sacrifice and dedication, our citizens enjoy comfortable daily lives. It is my belief that those who make such exceptional sacrifices should be rewarded in a special way to ensure fairness." He added, "I will do my utmost to find all possible ways to achieve this."

Private Ryu Seung-jae said, "Unlike other units, Yeonpyeong Island lacks PC rooms and cinemas, so we relieve stress in the fitness room, but the equipment is outdated and insufficient," and requested additional equipment. In response, President Lee said, "I will make sure to send it right away," and instructed National Security Advisor Wi Seong-rak to follow up on the matter.

President Lee Jae-myung is aiming the K-6 heavy machine gun while riding on a K9A1 self-propelled howitzer at the Republic of Korea Marine Corps Yeonpyeong Unit in Ongjin County, Incheon City on June 24, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The soldiers also raised issues regarding outdated plumbing and restroom facilities, requests to expand shooting and artillery training, and the need for priority assignment of officers to Yeonpyeong Island. Sergeant Noh Young-rae, who was five days away from completing his service, said, "A morale-boosting entertainment train has never visited Yeonpyeong Island. Although I won't be able to see it myself, I would appreciate it if you could arrange a visit for the successors who remain and continue to work hard," drawing laughter at the scene. President Lee instructed Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek, "There should be a plan in place—please look into it."

Requests to improve medical conditions for military officers were also made. Master Sergeant Ahn Woo-hee said, "Because it is an island, medical treatment is very limited. Sometimes, due to bad weather, boats or helicopters cannot travel, or even if we have CT equipment, we cannot use it because there is no radiology officer." President Lee responded, "Public healthcare, essential medical services, and regional healthcare are all saturated, which is why you are facing such difficulties. Please make sure the Ministry of National Defense provides regular visits so that no one is left out."

After the luncheon, President Lee moved to the shooting range to observe a live-fire demonstration. The Office of the President announced that President Lee was the first sitting president to fire a K2C1 automatic rifle and a K15 machine gun loaded with live ammunition. During the automatic rifle demonstration, President Lee reportedly fired ten rounds, achieving a stable grouping on the target.

President Lee then visited the Yeonpyeong Island Peace Observatory, where he received a briefing on the defense mission for Yeonpyeong Island and the northwestern islands. President Lee closely observed Chinese fishing boats off the coast of Yeonpyeong Island, asking whether their current location was north or south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), how many boats there were, and why there are more Chinese fishing boats in the West Sea compared to the East Sea.

When National Security Advisor Wi explained, "Chinese fishing boats on the NLL boundary may prompt North Korea to fire at us for crossing the line, or, in pursuing them, we might inadvertently cross the NLL ourselves, making enforcement difficult," President Lee responded, "Chinese vessels—rather than North Korean ones—should not be allowed to come to the NLL boundary area and cause disputes." He added, "Please discuss this further. This is not something we can just ignore. Isn't it excessive in broad daylight?" and instructed officials to come up with countermeasures.

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