Page 195 - 2020 Defence White Paper

The total budget allocated to the Mid-Term Defense Plan for 2021–2025 is KRW
300.7 trillion, which is an annual average increase of 6.1%. The Size of the budget for
the Mid-Term Defense Plan for 2021-2025 is shown in [Chart 5-13].

[Chart 5-13] Mid-Term Defense Budget Size
(Unit: KRW trillion)
Years Subject to the Mid-Term Plan
Category 2020
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total
Defense Budget 50.2 53.2 56.5 59.8 63.6 67.6 300.7
(Growth Rate) (7.4%) (6.0%) (6.3%) (5.9%) (6.3%) (6.3%) (6.1%)
Force Operating Costs 33.5 36.1 38.3 40.1 42.0 44.0 200.6
(Growth Rate) (6.9%) (7.8%) (6.3%) (4.7%) (4.7%) (4.8%) (5.6%)
Force Enhancement 16.7 17.1 18.2 19.7 21.6 23.6 100.1
Budget
(Growth Rate) (8.5%) (2.5%) (6.2%) (8.4%) (9.5%) (9.3%) (7.2%)

The major contents of the Mid-Term Defense Plan for 2021-2025 in the category of Chapter 5
force operations are as follows.
First, the MND plans to establish a robust military readiness posture through the
strengthening of force support and reinforcement of security capabilities required

for maintaining warfighting capabilities. To maximize existing force operation
capabilities, the MND will improve the PBL program and post- logistics support
for the introduction and operation of advanced military forces such as the F-35A
and HUAV. Moreover, the ROK Armed Forces’ security operational readiness will
be enhanced by installing high-performance CCTVs at harbors, ports, and military
bases, thereby reinforcing the functions of barbed wire fences, guard posts, light
towers, etc. and eliminating blind spots in the border areas.
Second, the MND plans to establish an omnidirectional medical support system
that will isolate and treat patients and provide support for the private sector in case
of an outbreak of an infectious disease, and to reinforce equipment and supplies
for quick response to terrorism and CBRN attacks or large-scale and emergency
disasters. For the expansion of cyber-information and surveillance capabilities, the
ability to respond to transnational and nonmilitary threats including cyber-threats,
disasters, and terrorism will be further secured by strengthening the ROK Armed
Forces’ counter-cyber-capabilities.
Third, to foster a smart military with stronger combat power despite the reduction of
troops, the MND plans to ref ne the military structure and introduce Fourth Industrial
Revolution technologies to the defense domain. For the maintenance of combat
power despite troop reduction, combat units will be reinforced with off cers and non-

Chapter 5. Establishing a Fair, Transparent, and Efficient National Defense Operation System