Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Performance in diplomacy, defense, and security during the first half of the term of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration was reviewed

Efforts were made to expand diplomatic horizon and realize peace through strength

The defense industry was actively supported as a new source of growth and a culture of enhancing veterans’ welfare was cultivated

A combined field training exercise for brigadier or higher-level units

integrated combined exercises into Ulchi Freedom Shield

Funding for the ROK 3K Defense continued increasing

Salaries for conscripted soldiers were raised and treatment for professional soldiers was improved

The diplomacy and security of the Yoon Suk Yeol government for the first half of its term can be summarized by two phrases: “global pivotal state” and “peace through strength.” The ROK-U.S. Alliance, renowned as an exemplary case of a global alliance, has been upgraded and the trilateral cooperation system among Korea, the U.S. and Japan has been launched and serves as a pillar of regional peace. Peace is achieved with intensive training exercises and by maintaining a robust readiness posture. Active support for the defense industry, a new engine of growth, and strengthening welfare for veterans are remarkable achievements. Let us review achievements in diplomacy and security the government has made over the past two-and-a-half years.

President Yoon Suk Yeol reviews troops at an Armed Forces Day commemoration ceremony for the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Armed Forces at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, on October 1.

The government is realizing peace through robust force with an overwhelming military readiness posture based on the ROK-U.S. Alliance and solidarity with allies.

By maintaining a strong combined defense posture, the government has dramatically reinforced the military’s capabilities to address North Korea’s nuclear and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats and has set and implemented goals to establish a proud and strong science and technology-based military through defense innovation and improved rewards and welfare for soldiers.

The government has established a robust ROK/U.S. combined defense posture. It also strengthened the combined defense posture by normalizing ROK/U.S. combined exercises and has established a nationwide all-out security posture by restoring government exercises.

Specifically, theater-level combined exercises, which were previously suspended or reduced in size, have been normalized. By resuming and expanding brigade or higher-level combined field training exercises after a five-year hiatus, ROK/U.S. combined operation capability and interoperability have been enhanced.

The combined exercises, which had been conducted separately from the government exercise (Ulchi) since 2019, were integrated into Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) in August 2022. All government ministries have participated in realistic exercises for four days. North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats were reflected in military exercises in March 2023, and brigade or higher-level combined field training exercises were resumed for the first time in five years.

Notably, the number of live-fire drills by brigade or higher-level units were increased from four in 2023 to 17 in 2024, about a four-fold increase.

The military’s capabilities to respond to the North’s nuclear and missile threats have been dramatically reinforced.

ROK 3K defense was bolstered, resulting in advancements in surveillance and reconnaissance analysis across North Korea, as well as improvements in multilayered missile defense and precision strike capabilities. The government increased funding for ROK 3K from KRW 39.5 trillion for 2023-2027 to KRW 41.5 trillion for 2024-2028 and KRW 42.2 trillion for 2025-2029.

In January 2024, the Strategic Command was inaugurated to deter and respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

The government has advanced the development of a strong science and technology-based military with Defense Innovation 4.0. The government is dedicated to building a science and technology-based, AI-powered strong military through Defense Innovation 4.0 in its efforts to redesign the overall defense posture.

Also, the government is striving to create “a nation where military service is something to be proud of” by providing reasonable compensation and treatment for soldiers who are fulfilling their military service obligations. Next year, the salary for soldiers (sergeant) will be raised to KRW 1,500,000 and “support money for soldiers to prepare for the future” to KRW 550,000.

In addition, the treatment and welfare for professional soldiers have been improved by expanding the maximum limit of hours for overtime pay for those who perform around-the-clock operations so that they can focus on combat missions.

By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr > 

<Copyright ⓒ The Korea Defense Daily, All rights reserved>