Lee says Ulchi CPX 'defensive in nature,' poses no threat to North Korea

President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that the Ulchi command post exercise is "defensive in nature, aimed at protecting the lives and safety of our people," and that South Korea has no intention of attacking North Korea or raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula through the drill.

Cheong Wa Dae chief spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing that Lee chaired a full session of the Ulchi National Security Council and reviewed the country's capacity to conduct a total national defense effort in a wartime scenario, along with each agency's wartime transition procedures and required measures.

Lee said that "creating a peace where there is no need to fight is paramount, but we must also prepare for the worst." He urged officials to ensure the Ulchi CPX serves as a practical exercise for protecting the public and safeguarding national security in the event of an emergency.

Lee directed officials not to repeat the exercise as before, but to prepare a genuinely practical, total-defense drill that reflects the realities of modern warfare — so that the country is ready to protect its citizens no matter what situation arises. He added that "the fundamental purpose of the Ulchi CPX is not to treat any specific party as an adversary, but to protect the safe and peaceful daily lives of our people."

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung, National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jong-seok, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, first Deputy National Security Adviser Kang Geon-jak, third Deputy National Security Adviser Song Gi-ho and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Yeong-seung.