South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday called for building “robust self-reliant defense” to meet security challenges without “depending on others,” while simultaneously stressing that Seoul can deter North Korea through its alliance with the U.S.

Delivering his first Armed Forces Day address, Lee reviewed key defense assets for countering DPRK nuclear and missile threats and warned of the erosion of global peace.

“Humanity’s longest era of peace and coexistence is drawing to a close. Across the globe, the momentum for cooperation and prosperity is weakening, while conflict and confrontation intensify,” he said. “To secure peace and prosperity for Korea,