South Korea seeks stronger self-defence

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on Tuesday for stronger independent defence capabilities, while saying annual civil-defence exercises coinciding with joint U.S.-South Korea military drills were defensive and not intended to threaten North Korea. The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump instructed the United States — The Pentagon to 'substantially reduce' the joint military exercises with South Korea, and said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had responded to his outreach. Lee said Seoul should proceed without disruption with the planned transfer of wartime operational control from the United States during his term, in line with the government's existing plan. He also called for faster progress on South Korea's nuclear-powered submarine programme and for developing officers capable of integrated operations for future conflicts. At a National Security Council meeting, Lee said the civil-defence exercises were defensive in character, aimed at safeguarding South Koreans' lives and safety, and that South Korea had no intention of using them to attack North Korea or raise tensions.