Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

To implement five new projects related to the “triad system”

Increased defense capability improvement budget and military strength operation budget

Resolved to allow soldiers to eat out once a month to promote local economies

Included “modular BOQ” pilot project

To counter North Korea’s nuclear and missiles, the South Korea’s military will implement five new projects, including the introduction of a next-generation fighter (F-X) and the development of the Korean tactical surface-to-surface missile (KTSSM)-Ⅱ starting next year. To foster a convenient barracks environment, soldiers will be offered a chance to eat out once a month, thereby contributing to local economies, and the “modular bachelor officer quarters (BOQ)” construction pilot project will be launched to improve the residential conditions of junior officers.

On December 24, the Ministry of National Defense announced that the defense budget for 2023 had been passed at the plenary session of the National Assembly.

The defense budget for 2023 is 57.0143 trillion won, up 4.4% from 2022. The defense capability improvement budget rose by 1.3% to 16.9169 trillion won, and military strength operation budget soared by 5.7% to 40.0974 trillion won.

The Ministry of National Defense explained, “The government and the National Assembly allocated more financial resources to the defense budget, despite difficult fiscal conditions, and in particular, while the rate of expenditure growth in the national budget declined significantly to 5.2% from 8.9%, the rate of defense budget growth climbed from 3.4% to 4.4%.”

The defense capability improvement budget was cut by 166.4 billion won from the government’s proposed budget (17.0179 trillion won) due to delays in some projects, but ten projects including five new projects related to the “triad system” aimed to counter North Korean nuclear and missiles saw an increase of 65.4 billion won.

The new projects related to the triad system include the second phase of the F-X program, the second phase of the Cheolmae II PIP (Product Improvement Program), a long-range ship-to-air missile, the tactical surface-to-surface missile-Ⅱ, and the Aegis Destroyer Gwanggaeto-Ⅲ Batch-Ⅱ. A total of 60.2 billion won was allocated, including the largest amount, 27.8 billion won, to the second phase of the Cheolmae (Cheongung) II PIP, a medium-range interceptor missile, followed by the second phase of the F-X program to introduce additional next-generation fighters (18.8 billion won), the tactical surface-to-surface missile-Ⅱ (12.7 billion won), a long-range ship-to-air missile (SM-6) (0.9 billion won), and the Gwanggaeto-Ⅲ Batch-Ⅱ (40 million won).

The Ministry of National Defense said, “The second phase of F-X, and the tactical surface-to-surface missile-Ⅱ programs aim to enhance our capability to strike core targets of North Korean nuclear and missiles, and the second phase of the Cheolmae II PIP, and the long-range ship-to-air missiles are designed to reinforce our capability to strike ballistic missiles, thereby strengthening defense against North Korean nuclear and missiles.”

Budgets for the Heavy Utility Helicopter-II (HUH-II) and short-range reconnaissance drone were cut by 17.5 billion won and 14.0 billion won, respectively, but the Ministry of National Defense emphasized that “some annual budget items were adjusted due to a delay in project progression, but there is no problem with overall project implementation for next year.”

The military strength operation budget increased to 40.0974 trillion won, up by 5.7% from the previous year. During deliberations at the National Assembly, 42.8 billion won was curtailed for projects slow to progress, and 31.4 billion won was added to projects intended to improve the service conditions of soldiers.

Among projects aimed at better service conditions, “soldiers’ special meals and local economy support” project was created. This project aims to provide soldiers with an opportunity to eat one meal worth 13,000 won per person per month at local restaurants outside their barracks. Its purpose is to satisfy soldiers’ need to eat out, allow military cooks to take a rest, and help support local small business owners. The Ministry of National Defense expects this project to become a new model for cooperation between the military and local communities.

The modular BOQ pilot project (7.3 billion won) is a new project aimed at producing subsidiary materials at factories by standardizing their specifications, and assembling them on site. It is designed to quickly improve the residential conditions of junior officers at forward areas where service conditions are inferior.

In addition, the defense budget also reflected costs related to the Battle of Incheon celebration event (1.8 billion won), the construction of monuments and sculptures for UN fallen soldiers (0.5 billion won), the Korean War global archives (0.6 billion won), and the creation of exhibition space for ROK prisoners of war at the War Memorial of Korea (0.5 billion won).

The budgets for facilities related to the ROK’s contribution to the cost of US Forces Korea (down 20.3 billion won), RoKAF 35th Flying Group hangars (down 6.5 billion won), and the operation command facility of the Army Aviation Command (down 1.3 billion won) were cut due to delays in construction.

The Ministry of National Defense said, “The ministry will make thorough preparations to execute the 2023 budget, and we are dedicated to dramatically strengthening our capabilities to counter North Korean nuclear and missile threats, and fostering a comfortable barracks environment.”

By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr >

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