Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has directed his senior aides to expedite defense reforms, focusing on the development of a "smart" military through the integration of advanced technologies and the implementation of selective conscription. This initiative comes in response to South Korea's persistently low birth rate, which President Lee argues renders the current military structure, heavily reliant on personnel and infantry, both unsustainable and inefficient.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee emphasized the necessity of transforming the military into a smart, elite, and technologically advanced force. He highlighted the importance of redesigning the system to ensure that the youth, pivotal to national defense, can secure a promising future. In South Korea, military service is mandatory for all able-bodied men for at least 18 months, with exemptions and alternative service available for others. President Lee called for policies that ensure military service contributes positively to career prospects, education, and financial stability.

Beyond defense, President Lee also addressed real estate policy, a significant issue amid rising housing prices and tax reforms. The government unveiled plans to provide over 230,000 additional homes in the Seoul metropolitan area. This will be achieved by accelerating development on public land, adjusting some greenbelt areas, and supporting private sector initiatives.

President Lee linked the current housing crisis to a decline in permit issuance and construction starts since 2022, resulting in a supply shortage. He called for extraordinary measures, including streamlining permit procedures and, if necessary, revising laws and systems to secure more land for development.