South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday, 1 October 2026, pledged to persistently pursue practical steps to reduce military tensions with North Korea, even as the two Koreas remain sharply at odds following the explosion of North Korean mines in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that wounded three South Korean soldiers last week. The remarks were delivered at a ceremony marking the 78th Armed Forces Day at the military headquarters in Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong Province.

Key Developments at Armed Forces Day

'My administration will consistently pursue practical measures to reduce military tensions between the two Koreas,' Lee said at the ceremony. He acknowledged that 'the knots in inter-Korean relations are extremely complex,' but vowed to 'steadily, patiently strive to untie them, one by one.' He also extended a direct invitation to Pyongyang to join Seoul 'on the path of restoring trust and resuming dialogue.'

Lee expressed that peace and prosperity must be forged with 'our own hands,' arguing that 'the surest form of security is one that renders conflict unnecessary — in other words, one that creates peace.' He added that building trust 'begins to take root, little by little, when words are matched by actions.'

The DMZ Mine Blast and Diplomatic Fallout

Lee's conciliatory message came one day after the South Korean military formally declared that the DMZ explosions — triggered by mines reportedly planted by North Korea — constituted a 'blatant violation' of the armistice agreement that ended the 1950–53 Korean War, and demanded an apology and responsible measures from Pyongyang. South Korean Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul had earlier warned that Seoul would take 'corresponding measures' if North Korea's involvement was confirmed.

Pyongyang, however, has rejected any responsibility. Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, denied her country's involvement and accused Seoul of fabricating the findings — a sharp rebuttal that underscores the fragility of inter-Korean relations at this juncture. Lee said his heart 'remains heavy' for the three soldiers wounded in what he called an 'unfortunate accident,' and wished them 'a swift recovery.'

Defence Sovereignty and Military Modernisation

Beyond the North Korea question, President Lee used the Armed Forces Day address to reaffirm a broader defence agenda. He declared that 'self-reliance in national defence is sovereignty itself,' announcing that South Korea will acquire indigenous nuclear-powered submarines by the mid-2030s. He also signalled that Seoul is actively finalising the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean troops currently held by the United States.

At a subsequent luncheon with government officials, lawmakers, military personnel and veterans, Lee reiterated the OPCON priority with striking directness: 'There is no other country in the world that relies on other people or countries for the military command of its troops.' He added that recovering wartime OPCON is essential to South Korea's status as 'a genuinely sovereign and independent country.'

AI and the Future of South Korea's Armed Forces

Addressing the structural challenge of a shrinking military recruitment pool — a consequence of South Korea's demographic decline — Lee pledged to expand the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and manned-unmanned teaming systems across the armed forces. He also announced plans to establish an integrated military academy bringing together the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force under a single institutional framework.

The combination of diplomatic outreach toward North Korea, assertive defence modernisation, and a push for wartime OPCON recovery signals a presidency seeking strategic autonomy on multiple fronts simultaneously — a balance that will be closely watched by allies and adversaries alike.