Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
Lee proposes 8.2% increase in South Korea’s 2027 defense budget
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung proposed a 73.3 trillion won defense budget for 2027 in a speech to the National Assembly in Seoul.
The plan is 8.2% higher than this year’s budget and includes more funding for military capabilities and service members’ conditions.
Lee said the spending would help South Korea prepare to take back wartime operational control, which is currently held by the United States.
The allies have disagreed over when the transfer should happen and what conditions must be met, including amid concerns about North Korea’s threats.
The proposed military upgrades include a nuclear-powered submarine, KF-21 fighter jets, and systems using artificial intelligence, robots and drones.
The allies’ security meeting, where the transfer is discussed, has been delayed until early 2027, and the sources do not say when the transfer itself will occur.
President Lee Jae-myung proposed an 8.2% increase in South Korea’s 2027 defense budget, to 73.3 trillion won.
He said the spending would strengthen self-defense and support an early return of wartime operational control.
The plans include acquiring nuclear-powered submarines and KF-21 fighter jets and expanding advanced military capabilities.
The announcement comes amid disagreements between South Korea and the United States over the timing and conditions for the transfer.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
- What
- He proposed raising the 2027 defense budget by 8.2%, to 73.3 trillion won.
- When
- November 2, 2026.
- Where
- In a budget speech at the National Assembly in Seoul.
- Why
- Lee said the spending would strengthen self-defense and help secure capabilities needed for an early return of wartime operational control.
South Korean government supporters of an early return of wartime operational control
People Power Party lawmaker Han Ki-ho
Transfer timing and conditions
South Korean government supporters of an early return of wartime operational control
Lee said South Korea should secure the capabilities needed for an early return.
People Power Party lawmaker Han Ki-ho
Han argued that the transfer should not be forced through and that conditions can change as North Korean threats change.
U.S. Forces Korea commander Xavier Brunson said conditions for the transfer had changed and new standards had emerged.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry objected, saying that continually moving the goalposts could make the transfer impossible.
Lee said wartime operational control should be returned promptly.
Lee proposed the 2027 defense budget increase in an address to the National Assembly.
- Proposed increase
- 8.2%
- Proposed 2027 defense budget
- 73.3 trillion won
- Planned capabilities
- Nuclear-powered submarines and KF-21 fighter jets
- Planned junior-officer pay
- About 3 million won per month
1 source
What people are saying
We will secure without disruption key capabilities, including those needed for an early return of wartime operational control, as well as nuclear-powered submarines and the KF-21.
Is wartime operational control something that can be pushed through unconditionally?