Korea Must Pursue Wealth and Military Strength Again

The Middle East war, triggered by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, has entered its 14th day. The reality that power governs international order is painfully apparent. This compels deep reflection on the imperative of national wealth and military strength for state survival. A nation with overwhelming economic power and formidable military might deters any challenger. Does South Korea, living under the shadow of North Korea's nuclear threat, possess such strength today?

Looking back, 17th-century Joseon had an opportunity for national enrichment and military strengthening. In August 1653, Dutchman Hendrik Hamel and his crew drifted to Korea. Their ship, which ran aground on Jeju Island, carried approximately 30 cannons and numerous state-of-the-art firearms. King Hyojong, burning with desire for revenge against the Qing Dynasty after the Manchu invasion, used their weapons as references to improve firearms. However, he failed to adopt the Europeans' telescopes, advanced ship construction, astronomical observation techniques, and navigation knowledge.

Why did Hyojong, who strongly desired a powerful military, turn away from the path of national prosperity and strength? Political constraints largely prevented full adoption of Hamel's military technology, which was world-class at the time. Hamstrung by intense factional strife, Hyojong merely went through the motions of strengthening military training without achieving the economic and fiscal reforms needed to support a strong standing army. Moreover, Hyojong apparently failed to recognize the value of Hamel's military knowledge, treating the foreigners as mere curiosities. After escaping to Nagasaki, Japan, 13 years later, Hamel wrote in his journal: "The king asked us to show him dances and songs from our country..."

King Jeongjo's 18th-century policies differed markedly. Jeongjo strengthened both weapons development and economic foundations. He abolished the monopoly rights of licensed merchants to open Seoul's markets and encouraged private commerce, expanding the economy. He promoted the use of carts and ships to revitalize logistics and expanded currency circulation. He recruited talent based on ability regardless of social status, establishing the Royal Library as a policy think tank and the Jangyongyeong as a royal guard unit, overhauling the governance system. Had Hamel arrived during Jeongjo's reign, when defense strengthening paralleled political and economic reform, or had Jeongjo been king when Hamel drifted ashore, Korean history might have unfolded differently. After Jeongjo, however, Joseon never again dreamed of national prosperity and strength.

President Lee Jae-myung is demonstrating strong determination for national enrichment and military strengthening. His commitment appears genuine as he pursues smart elite military development under the banner of self-reliant defense, economic strengthening centered on artificial intelligence and advanced industries, and increased defense exports. In last year's Armed Forces Day speech, he emphasized self-reliant defense: "For the peace and prosperity of the Republic of Korea, we must strengthen our own power rather than depending on anyone else."

Self-reliant defense is the military core of national prosperity and strength. No one can argue against building the power to defend one's own nation. However, the reality remains that a solid Korea-U.S. alliance is essential for Korean Peninsula security. Concerns about a "security vacuum" are spreading amid reports that key U.S. Forces Korea assets, including Patriot missiles and THAAD systems, are being withdrawn from the peninsula due to the Iran war. Exposed differences between Seoul and Washington over the scale of the ongoing annual combined exercise "Freedom Shield" have also heightened anxiety about the alliance. Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un continues visiting missile test sites, raising nuclear threat levels by declaring that "the national nuclear force has transitioned to a multifaceted operational phase."

Bound by the chains of division and forced to stake security survival on the Korea-U.S. alliance, President Lee's path to national prosperity and strength may prove far more complex and arduous. Yet if the Korean Peninsula is to escape the fear of war, the path of national enrichment and military strengthening must be taken. The choice should follow Jeongjo's path, which built dreams of national prosperity and strength on bold economic reform. Korea must avoid repeating the mistakes of Hyojong during Hamel's arrival, constrained by regressive politics, and the corrupt power regimes of Kings Sunjo, Heonjong, Cheoljong, and Gojong after Jeongjo. In this regard, President Lee's recent post on X resonates: "Just because one becomes president and the ruling power does not mean one can or should do everything as one pleases." Scholar Jeong Yak-yong also answered King Jeongjo's question about the best strategy for national survival: "Harmony of hearts among people." Dreams of national prosperity and strength without leadership that communicates and unites the people's will may prove to be castles built on sand.