# South Korea ranks as world’s fifth-strongest military, president says

https://mins.news/en/item/25208

- TASS, 2026-08-18 13:55 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://tass.com/world/2174703

> President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea’s armed forces rank fifth worldwide and its defense-industry capabilities fourth. He called for faster development of operational and command capabilities and said Seoul should secure wartime operational control of its forces during his term, alongside strengthening the alliance with the United States and independent defense capabilities.

## Stories

- [US–North Korea Relations and North Korea Policy](https://mins.news/en/topic/us-north-korea-relations) — Markdown: https://mins.news/en/topic/us-north-korea-relations.md

## Related coverage

- [South Korea’s Lee calls for stronger self-defence as US weighs scaling back joint drills](https://mins.news/en/video/25184) — CNA, 2026-08-18
- [South Korean president renews call for military independence after Trump cuts joint drills](https://mins.news/en/item/24790) — The Guardian, 2026-08-18
- [South Korea’s Lee backs stronger self-defense, says drills are not aimed at North Korea](https://mins.news/en/item/24684) — Reuters, 2026-08-18