South Korea’s leftwing president has announced a steep rise in military spending, following pressure from Washington to shoulder more responsibility for the country’s defence.
Lee Jae Myung said in a speech on Wednesday marking South Korea’s Armed Forces Day that the annual defence budget would rise by 8.2 per cent next year, the largest increase since 2008, in response to “an era of increased conflict, where it’s every man for himself”.
“To ensure peace and prosperity for the Republic of Korea, we must not depend on anyone else, but strengthen our own power,” said Lee. He added that his government would invest in new defence technologies, including robotics and drones.
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