SEOUL, Aug. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun Friday vowed to lay firm foundation for South Korean military to become fully self-reliant defense forces in ten years.

　　The president made that pledge in a ceremony marking 58th Anniversary of National Liberation from Japanese colonial rule, which was held in Cheonan city, some 150 kilometers south to Seoul.

　　On the recent agreement reached by Seoul and Washington on the relocation of US troops in South Korea, Roh Moo-hyun said "The US army will contribute to the peace and stability of the Northeast Asian in future as before."

　　However, "It is not right to leave our national security to the US troops," said Roh.

　　Roh pointed out even in past years, South Korean military has steadily grown and has substantial power to fulfill defense responsibility, and South Korean forces still have much to be developed.

　　Roh said South Korean military must solidify the capacity for intelligence and operation planning as well as readjust armaments and the whole national defense system in future.

　　South Korean and the US agreed to move US troops headquarters in Seoul out to other place and to relocate US 2nd Infantry Division now being deployed near inter-Korean border. About 37,000US troops are stationed in the country.

　　He also pledged that any realignment of the US troops "will not premise the combat capabilities, and progress of the relocation should be made in light of the DPRK's nuclear issue." Enditem