"Cultivating a Smart, Advanced Military with Priority Allocation of Defense Resources"
Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea
2025-11-17
The National Assembly's National Defense Committee holds a plenary session to review the 2026 defense budget.
Minister Ahn Gyu-back highlights expanded allocations for welfare and AI-driven capabilities.
Clarifies that the project concerns a nuclear-powered submarine—not a nuclear submarine—underscoring its peaceful use.
A new Military Welfare Improvement Subcommittee is established to enhance conditions for service members.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, center front row, answers lawmakers' questions on the 2026 budget during a plenary session of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee on Nov. 5.
On November 5, the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly held the 6th plenary session of the 429th National Assembly (regular session) to deliberate on the 2026 budget proposals. The session reviewed and discussed the budgets for the Ministry of National Defense, the Military Manpower Administration, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, as well as the fund operation plan of the Ministry of National Defense.
The National Defense Committee's plenary session included detailed discussions on several critical defense issues. Among them were the nuclear-powered submarine construction project, the planned transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the US to South Korea, the Security Consultative Meeting, and the deployment of the fifth military reconnaissance satellite.
The total defense budget for 2026 is set at KRW 66.2947 trillion, representing an 8.2% increase from this year's main budget. Of this amount, KRW 46.1203 trillion is allocated to the operating budget for military strength under the Ministry of National Defense, an increase of 6.3%, while KRW 20.1744 trillion is earmarked for defense capability improvement under the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, up 13%. The 2026 defense budget of South Korea was drafted with five key priorities: improving service conditions and welfare for military personnel, preparing for the transition of OPCON from the United States to South Korea, fostering advanced defense strategic industries, strengthening combat readiness, and enhancing defense science and technology competitiveness.
Minister Ahn stated, "Given the grave security environment, resources were prioritized to build a smart and strong military. He noted that the budget for improving officers' welfare and making military service more attractive has been significantly expanded."
Moreover, he explained that budgets supporting combat readiness—such as those for food, clothing, and military logistics infrastructure—had been reinforced. He added that funding to strengthen key response capabilities under the ROK 3K Defense, in preparation for the transition of OPCON, had also been expanded. Investments in cutting-edge technologies, including AI and manned-unmanned collaborative combat systems (MUM-CCS), were likewise increased.
Special accounts include the defense and military facilities relocation fund of KRW 5.3004 trillion and the US Forces Korea (USFK) base relocation fund of KRW 3.5883 trillion. Additionally, KRW 983.3 billion was allocated to the military welfare fund, and KRW 5.0997 trillion to the military pension fund.
During budget deliberations, committee members emphasized the need to prioritize funding for welfare programs benefiting junior officers and civilian military employees. They also conducted a thorough review of the efficiency and allocation of the budget for AI-based force projects and initiatives aimed at advancing the defense industry.
Seong Il-jong, Chair of the National Defense Committee, stated, "The security environment on the Korean Peninsula is becoming increasingly severe due to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats and rising tensions in neighboring countries." He noted, "Next year's defense budget should therefore be formulated and deliberated with a focus on building a strong defense force amid these internal and external challenges." He emphasized, "The issues and opinions raised during the deliberations should be thoroughly reviewed and actively reflected in defense policy decisions."
Besides budget deliberations, questions were raised regarding key defense issues including the OPCON transition, the Security Consultative Meeting, the nuclear-powered submarine construction project, and the deployment of the fifth military reconnaissance satellite.
Minister Ahn clarified that the correct term is "nuclear-powered submarine," not "nuclear submarine," noting that the latter could be misunderstood as implying the carriage of nuclear weapons and prompt international concern. He added that the use of "nuclear-powered submarine" places the focus on the peaceful use of nuclear energy for propulsion rather than armament.
Minister Ahn added, "Since a nuclear-powered submarine involves the military use of nuclear energy, it falls outside the scope of the existing ROK-US Agreement for Cooperation concerning Civil Use of Atomic Energy. Therefore, a new agreement is needed to govern this military application."
The National Defense Committee established a Military Welfare Improvement Subcommittee ahead of the budget deliberations. This subcommittee conducts in-depth discussions to address issues such as the poor treatment and working conditions of junior officers, as well as residential and child-rearing support, aiming to present effective welfare improvement measures for military personnel.
By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >
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