S. Korea seeking defense budget of over 30 trillion won

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, July 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense ministry said Thursday it is
pushing for a budget increase next year that would mark the first time that its
efforts to deter North Korea have annually cost over 30 trillion won.
The proposal for a budget of 30.8 trillion won (US$24 billion) for fiscal 2010
reflects the need for South Korea to better deal with North Korea's nuclear and
threat, the Ministry of National Defense said.
North Korea on May 25 conducted its second nuclear test and is pushing ahead with
the development and testing of missiles despite U.N. resolutions banning the
country from such activities.
Vice Defense Minister Chang Soo-man said his organization is seeking a 7.9
percent increase in defense spending next year and will prioritize building
defenses against North Korea's programs.
"Additional reinforcements have been reflected to respond to the recent North
Korean nuclear and missile threats," he said in a briefing.
If passed, the spending would account for 2.8 percent of South Korea's GDP, the
ministry said. The proportion has remained in the 2-percent range since 1994.
The defense spending would be triple what it was a quarter century ago. It
surpassed 10 trillion won for the first time in 1994 and 20 trillion won in 2005.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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