문 대통령 "평화여정에 안보 빈틈 없어야,.. 새로운 한반도 시대 열어갈 것"

President Moon says the South Korea needs to beef up its self-defense capabilities while still pursuing peace in the region.
In a National Security Council meeting, he also stressed the significance of the inaugural Ulchi Taegeuk drills which started Monday.
Shin Se-min has the details.
President Moon Jae-in is calling on South Korea to beef up its self-defense capabilities while still pursuing peace in the region.
During a National Security Council meeting at the Blue House on Wednesday,... President Moon said there should be no crack in national security despite the ongoing peace drive.
"As long as we have the right to choose, the journey toward peace will not be stopped. No matter the difficulties, a new era on the Korean Peninsula will certainly open up."
The South Korean leader also expressed gratitude to his North Korean and U.S. counterparts for easing military tensions in the region.
Moon touched on the OPCON, or operational control, transition from Washington to Seoul, when speaking about the week-long inaugural civilian-military exercises, dubbed the Ulchi Taegeuk drills, currently under way.
"The inaugural military drills combining the existing Ulchi and Taegeuk command post exercises, should be used as a chance to solidify self-reliant defense capabilities, as well as prepare for the transition of OPCON."
A South Korean general is set to lead joint military drills with the U.S. in August to test Seoul's readiness for wartime OPCON transfer, this according to ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The president also said the civilian-government exercise reflects a broader spectrum on national security, including non-military threats like natural disasters and terrorism.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News.