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South Korea Sets 2026 Defense Hike as Lee Reaffirms OPCON Transfer Push

Officials signal ongoing U.S. consultations, reject troop‑pullout rumors, prioritize self‑reliant modernization.

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 KoreaRussia military ties, estimating about 16,000 North Korean troops sent to Russia and noting likely technology transfers short of core secrets.