By Bernama
Seoul : Defence Minister Lee Sang-hee Friday called for a stronger military rather than a “problematic” democratic one in an apparent reference to the loosened discipline under the previous Roh Moo-hyun administration, Yonhap news agency reported.
The liberal Roh government has often been criticised for pursuing a democratic military at the cost of discipline by giving more freedom to commanders as well as conscripts.
Speaking to a group of military brass, Lee, the first defence chief of the conservative Lee Myung-bak government which took office on Feb. 25, complained that some people mistakenly believe that a democratic military is one that is comfortable to serve in.
“Some say an advanced military is one with high-tech weapons while others think of a service member enjoying free time in barracks set up nicely like a hotel,” he said.
“But an advanced force is one that is specialised in combat, not one that is administrative or looks good on display.”
“We must watch out for any possibility of our military becoming only a well-managed group instead of a fighting force,” the minister said in a meeting with the country’s top military commanders and officials.
“Now is truly the time to thoroughly examine and prepare for what will be there in 20 or 30 years. If we do not, the problems facing our military today may boomerang back to us even harder,” the minister added.
Friday’s meeting was attended by some 140 military leaders and officials, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Kim Tae-young, and all the chiefs of staff of the three armed services.
The meeting, the first of its kind since the inauguration of the new Lee Myung-bak administration, was aimed at setting new guidelines and objectives for the military under the new government.
The minister said everyone and anyone in uniform should only think about how to fight and win, leaving all the administrative details or paperwork to civilian officials.
He also called for small but strong military units that can achieve all of their potentials.
“Instead of tens of imperfect division units, we must build a few perfect units that can exercise 100 percent of their abilities,” Lee said, suggesting a new motto, “(We) Fight Tonight,” for all military commanders.
“This means we must be experts in battle, professional fighters who can win a fight even if the battle begins this very night,” he added.
The participants at the meeting were later scheduled to attend a lunch hosted by President Lee at his office Cheong Wa Dae.
They will then return to the Defence Ministry for a separate meeting hosted by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for unit commanders only.