President Moon Jae-in, attending a ceremony for Armed Forces Day, said a strong defense for South Korea is what fuels efforts for peace on the Peninsula.
The ceremony was at an airbase in Daegu, in Korea's southeast.
Shin Se-min has the details.
South Korea's commander-in-chief has promised to make the nation's defense forces stronger than before.
Addressing the 71st Armed Forces Day ceremony, President Moon Jae-in said the nation's strong military is the driving force behind the Korean peace process.
"Peace is something to make, not to keep. Our military's airtight security supports dialogue and cooperation and allows us to take an audacious walk toward lasting peace."
Praising the military's "courage and dedication", the president said South Korea was able to reduce border tensions through the military's determination to realize the inter-Korean military agreement.
He also thanked the country's sharp readiness for allowing the leaders of the Koreas and the U.S. to stand and cross the military demarcation line.
Looking ahead, the president promised an even more prepared military.
"We will maintain a military readiness that no other country can overlook. We will become the cornerstone of peace and prosperity."
Moon also said his administration will realize the Defense Reform 2-point-oh initiative,... partly preparing for the takeover of wartime operational control of its troops from the U.S.
The president, added that the government has allocated a larger chunk its budget to defense next year, and said it plans to spend over 42-billion U.S. dollars,... and develop a more accurate missile defense system, brand new submarines, spy satellites and quasi-aircraft carriers.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News.