South Korea President Says Reliance on U.S. for Defense No Longer Valid

President Lee Jae-myung said South Korea's traditional reliance on the United States for defense is no longer valid and that the country will seek to become a partner capable of self-reliant defense. Lee made the remarks in an interview published June 11, 2026, in Corriere della Sera, Italy's most widely circulated daily newspaper.

He is currently on a visit to Italy as part of his first trip to Europe since taking office a year earlier.

Referring to South Korea's traditional approach of relying on Washington for national security while maintaining close economic ties with Beijing, the country's largest trading partner, Lee said the approach has lost its validity amid recent shifts in the geopolitical environment.

"I believe such a dichotomous approach has lost its validity amid recent shifts in the geopolitical environment," he said, according to a transcript of his interview released by his office Cheong Wa Dae. Under the new approach, Seoul will seek to expand its economic cooperation with Washington.

U.S. to high-tech sectors will be an important factor that enhances our industrial competitiveness," Lee said, citing growing competition between South Korean and Chinese firms due to the advancement of China's industrial and technological competitiveness.

U.S. Alliance remains the basic axis of South Korea's diplomacy. He stressed the need to strengthen autonomous capabilities as a way to modernize the alliance. "Autonomous capabilities mean becoming a trustworthy partner that can take responsibility of its own defense without relying on an ally," the president noted.

U.S. wants. Speaking on South Korea-Italy relations, Lee said Seoul plans to enhance cooperation with Europe in high-tech manufacturing and strategic supply chains.