Visiting Wounded Soldiers, President Pledges "Full Respect"... Deliberates Response Level

[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung met yesterday (September 30) with soldiers wounded in a landmine explosion. He pledged full respect and support to ensure they can not only receive treatment but also continue their military careers. However, there was no specific mention of North Korea.

Reporter Park Ye-rin reports.

[Reporter]

Yesterday morning, President Lee Jae-myung visited the Armed Forces Capital Hospital to console soldiers injured in a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and their families.

During the visit, which was conducted without press cameras out of consideration for the families, President Lee urged the wounded soldiers to focus on recovery. When the soldiers expressed their desire to continue their military service, saying, "We want to dedicate ourselves to the country in any role," President Lee promised, "We will treat you with full respect and honor so that you can not only undergo treatment and rehabilitation, but also continue your military service."

He also instructed his aides, "If the wounded are not treated with sufficient respect and honor, it directly impacts military morale, so please ensure this is thoroughly taken care of."

In a written briefing regarding the visit, Cheong Wa Dae stated that a family member of an injured soldier expressed distress over people spreading conspiracy theories. A Cheong Wa Dae official explained that this referred to allegations of delayed on-site investigations and cover-ups.

Yesterday afternoon, President Lee attended the launching ceremony of the cutting-edge Aegis destroyer ROKS Daeho Kim Jong-seo and emphasized the importance of self-reliant national defense.

[President Lee Jae-myung: Security that relies on the strength of others is shaken when that country's circumstances or situation change. This is a reality we are already witnessing even at this very moment.]

During both the hospital visit and the launching ceremony, President Lee reportedly made no direct mention of North Korea.

A senior Cheong Wa Dae official told SBS, "While President Lee is receiving real-time reports on the investigation, it is not desirable for Cheong Wa Dae to mention measures against North Korea before the final investigation results are released."

(Video by Jeong Sang-bo and Ha Ryung | Video Editing by Yoo Mi-ra | Graphics by Kim Ye-ji)