Talks with Field Officers

President Roh Moo-hyun on Saturday gave a briefing at the Ministry of Defense in which he outlined possible changes in the state of Korea’s defense measures.

"In order to reform the military, I will enlist support for reform from field grade officers through dialogue," said President Roh.

In the briefing, the president said, "I heard that field officers are for reform, but once they become generals, they take on negative attitudes concerning the restructuring of the military." In this context he called for reform plans in which generals can show support for and participate in.

"It takes considerable money to modernize the military while maintaining conventional military strength. Therefore, the Defense Ministry should devise plans on military reform according in which it reduces its budget as much as possible for unnecessary expenses and enlist support for plans from the public," Mr. Roh stressed.

He also asked the ministry to improve working conditions in the military including upgrading barracks and military administrative buildings, and increasing salaries, and work out measures for employment of discharged officers. In this respect, Mr. Roh said, "In particular, the employment of discharged officers is at 28%. As military reform proceeds, discharges are likely to increase. So the ministry should devise measures for their post-service employment before pushing the reform process."

Meanwhile, regarding the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, the president added that the importance of US troops stationed in Korea should be considered again and the alliance between Korea and the US should be strengthened.

"However, as the security environment changes constantly, we cannot only depend on the US for the security of the Korean Peninsula. We should prepare for self-defense and at the same time suggest defense programs to reassure the public," he added.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com