South Korea Aims to Regain Wartime Control, Boosts Military Spending
The Lee Jae Myung administration in South Korea has set a clear goal: to regain wartime operational control from the US during Lee's five-year term. This comes as the country plans a significant military overhaul, focusing on advanced technology and a substantial budget increase. Meanwhile, the US maintains its troop presence, and North Korea's military support to Russia raises concerns.
South Korea aims to transform its military into a 'professional, smart, elite force'. This involves an 8.2% increase in defense spending, prioritizing artificial intelligence and uncrewed systems. The country's defense minister, Ahn Gyu-back, a five-term lawmaker without a substantial military background, is driving this change. He calls for an average annual increase of 8% to strengthen military capabilities and deter North Korea's missile threats.
Despite these plans, Ahn has rejected the idea of South Korea unilaterally halting military training near the border. He believes this would undermine efforts to revive a 2018 military tension-reduction pact. The US, which maintains around 28,500 troops in South Korea, has no plans to reduce or withdraw its forces. This long-term commitment is evident in the large bases it operates in Pyeongtaek and Osan, covering over 24 million square meters.
North Korea's military support to Russia in its war against Ukraine is a growing concern. Since last year, around 16,000 North Korean troops have been dispatched to Russia, with technology transfers received in return.
South Korea's military restructuring and budget increase signal its commitment to enhancing defense capabilities. While the US maintains its troop presence, the country's push for wartime operational control continues. Meanwhile, North Korea's military support to Russia highlights the need for vigilance in the region.
