GYERYONG — On the final day of his summer vacation, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the military headquarters in Gyeryong to oversee security measures and preparations for forthcoming joint military exercises with the United States.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during his visit to Gyeryongdae, located approximately 160 kilometers south of Seoul, President Yoon met with senior commanders from the Army, Air Force, and Navy. He was briefed in a wartime command bunker on the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise scheduled for later this month. Yoon emphasized the critical need for a strong defense posture, especially in response to recent provocations from North Korea, including the dispatch of trash-filled balloons and GPS jamming attempts across the border.
"Security is linked to the economy, and economic prosperity ensures freedom. Only a strong security posture can defend our freedom and prosperity," Yoon stated, underscoring the inseparability of national security and economic stability. He added, "We cannot safeguard peace by relying on the goodwill of the enemy."
This visit marks President Yoon's third to the military headquarters since his inauguration in May 2022, highlighting his administration's focus on national defense amid escalating regional tensions.