At front-line base, Lee calls for shift from conscription to professional military

President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday renewed his pledge to reduce South Korea's reliance on conscription and expand the role of professional military personnel during a visit to a front-line Marine Corps unit.

During the trip to Yeonpyeong Island near the western maritime border with North Korea, Lee inspected key Marine Corps weapons systems, climbed aboard a K9 self-propelled howitzer and took part in a live-fire exercise, firing rifles while wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet.

Lee's trip c ...