South Korea Brainstorms Security Autonomy in Trump Era
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with his South Korean counterpart (Image X.com)
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung urges a shift toward AI-driven, self-reliant defense as demographic decline and regional threats challenge the nation’s long-term security.
By TRH Global Affairs Desk
NEW DELHI, September 22, 2025 — In Trumpian world where the US steps back from its global roles, allies have begun taking course corrections in search for defence autonomy. After Japan, the voices from the top in South Korea have emerged to build a narrative for independence in defence of the nation.
In a new message to the public, Democratic Party leader and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called for a bold reimagining of South Korea’s defence posture. His remarks, posted on social media, highlight a pressing concern: how a nation facing demographic decline and mounting regional threats can secure its sovereignty without over-reliance on foreign forces.
Lee’s vision is clear—South Korea must move beyond a manpower-heavy military and embrace an era of advanced, AI-driven, autonomous defence systems. He emphasizes that future battlefields will not be won by sheer numbers but by intelligent weaponry, unmanned systems, and integrated deterrence.
At present, North Korea maintains roughly 1.4 times South Korea’s annual defence budget and boasts one of the world’s largest standing armies. While South Korea ranks fifth globally in military capability, Lee notes that demographics present a looming challenge. With declining birth rates and shrinking recruitment pools, Seoul must reframe its military around quality, not quantity.
Economic resilience and technological advancement, he argues, must underpin this transformation. A “smart defence” system—anchored in innovation, defence-industrial growth, and diversified international security partnerships—will allow South Korea to deter threats without being overly dependent on external actors.
The broader message extends beyond national security. Lee frames defence reform as both a survival strategy and an opportunity for renewal—strengthening industries, spurring technological development, and positioning South Korea as a nation that can withstand global turbulence.
Critics may see echoes of political rhetoric in his words, but the substance resonates with a larger reality: in a period of great power competition, supply chain fragmentation, and emerging security dilemmas, South Korea cannot afford complacency.
Lee closes with a familiar refrain: South Korea is strong, resilient, and capable of facing adversity head-on. But his challenge to policymakers is sharper—without self-reliant defence reform, even a strong economy and global alliances may not shield the nation from future risks.
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