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4h ago

Lee Pledges Wartime Command Takeover, Boosts 2026 Defense Budget 8.2% for High-Tech Modernization

The plan hinges on meeting agreed capabilities under a conditions-based process with the United States.

South Korean soldiers stand during the media day for the 77th anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the Gyeryong military headquarters in Gyeryong, South Korea, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pauses while answering a reporter's question during an interview with Reuters at the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea, September 19, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
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President Lee Jae Myung (L) salutes during a ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the Gyeryongdae military headquarters, some 140 kilometers south of Seoul, on Oct. 1, 2025. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Lee announced a 2026 defense outlay of 66.3 trillion won, an 8.2% increase focused on AI combat robots, autonomous drones and precision missile systems.
  • He vowed to restructure the armed forces into professional, smart, elite units while expanding the defense industry and improving service members’ pay and conditions.
  • Seoul aims to reclaim wartime operational control to lead a combined posture with Washington, with progress tied to verified command, strike and air-defense capabilities.
  • Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said discussions with U.S. counterparts are ongoing, opposed a unilateral halt to border-area training and urged sustained spending growth near 8%.
  • Ahn dismissed talk of U.S. troop reductions as unfounded and warned North Korea has sent about 16,000 troops to Russia while receiving technology support.