Overview
- President Lee announced a 66.3 trillion won defense budget for 2026, an 8.2% rise focused on AI, drones, robotics and precision missile systems.
- Lee pledged to pursue the wartime operational control transfer within his term, framing it as leading a joint defense posture grounded in the ROK–U.S. alliance.
- Defense Minister Ahn said OPCON discussions with Washington are proceeding in a systemic and stable manner and said he has heard no talk of U.S. force reductions.
- Ahn ruled out a unilateral halt to training near the inter‑Korean border, while leaving open phased restoration of the suspended 2018 tension‑reduction pact.
- Ahn warned of deepening North Korea–Russia military ties, estimating about 16,000 North Korean troops sent to Russia and noting likely technology transfers short of core secrets.