Defense budget focuses on deterring NK provocations

By Jun Ji-hye

A total of 38.9 trillion won ($3.2 billion) was earmarked for next year’s national defense budget, up 4 percent from 2015.

Most of the additional spending is to improve the nation’s defense capacity to better deter threats from North Korea. A total of 11.6 trillion won was allocated for that purpose, up 6.1 percent from this year, according to the defense ministry.

Of that, 3.2 trillion won was earmarked for strengthening military power in the border area, up 40.6 percent. That sharp increase was apparently due to the recent landmine attack by North Korea in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

The money will be used to upgrade AN/TPQ-36 mobile radars capable of detecting projectiles launched at any angle, very-high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (HUAV), K-9 self-propelled howitzers, K-2 tanks and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) for counter-fire missions against the North’s multiple rocket systems.

Days after three North Korean-made wooden box landmines exploded in the South-controlled area of the DMZ on Aug. 4, maiming two South Korean soldiers, Defense Minister Han Min-koo told lawmakers that the military will execute operations to “take control” of the DMZ.

The government also increased the budget to cope with threats from North Korean submarines to 1.6 trillion won from 1.5 trillion won.

The money would be spent to deploy nine 3,000-ton submarines capable of launching ballistic missiles over the next decade, improve the sonar system of Aegis destroyers and increase the number of antisubmarine patrol aircraft.

Pyongyang raised tensions on the Korean Peninsula in May by testing a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which it claimed was successful.

Last month, when tension was high in the wake of the mine blasts, 50 North Korean submarines set sail from their bases on the west and east coasts for unknown locations.

In a bid to cope with missile and nuclear threats from the reclusive state, the government also raised the budget to develop the nation’s own Kill Chain preemptive strike and Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) systems to 1.5 trillion won, up 64.5 percent from this year.

In addition, 10.9 trillion won was allocated to carry out education and training, and maintain and operate the military facilities. Also, 16.3 trillion won was earmarked to create better living conditions in the barracks to boost the morale of the soldiers.

The government is planning to submit its budget on Friday to the National Assembly for approval.

Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye