Defense ministry seeks 8.2% budget increase for 2027 amid OPCON transition, forces reform push
The defense ministry said Tuesday it has proposed an 8.2 percent increase in the 2027 budget, seeking to accelerate its push for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States, and modernizing forces and capabilities amid a demographic cliff. The proposal calls for a budget of 73.27 trillion won ($53.5 billion), up 5.57 trillion won from 67.7 trillion won in 2026, the…
The Ministry of National Defense has requested an 8.2 percent increase in its 2027 budget, aiming to expedite the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States and modernize its forces and capabilities. The proposed budget for 2027 stands at 73.27 trillion won ($53.5 billion), a 5.57 trillion won increase from the 67.7 trillion won allocated in 2026.
This represents the largest budget increase since 2008, should the proposal be approved by the National Assembly. The defense budget would account for 2.33 percent of the country's projected GDP for the following year, a slight increase from the current 2.28 percent. Seoul's goal is to raise its defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2035, in line with the demand from the previous administration for its allies to contribute more to their own defense.
The defense ministry's focus is on enhancing the military's self-reliant capabilities and shifting away from manpower-intensive forces towards a technology-driven military.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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