Yoon Seok-yeol government announces achievements in defense sector and future plans
Achievements such as suspension of effect of the September 19 Agreement and expansion of U.S. strategic assets deployment
The Ministry of National Defense is pushing for a plan to raise the basic salary of sergeants to 2 million won per month next year and provide up to 4.86 million won per month before taxes if they work in a security unit.
The Ministry of National Defense presented the Yoon Seok-yeol administration’s achievements as including the deployment of U.S. strategic assets, which were not postponed by the previous administration, more than 30 times, and the resolution of military restrictions due to the suspension of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement.
The Ministry of National Defense said, “With an overwhelming deterrent against North Korea in a challenging defense environment, we have made efforts to defend the country from all-round threats, including North Korea, to protect the liberal democratic system, and to protect the lives and property of our citizens.” “He explained his activities over the past two years and six months.
The Ministry of National Defense continued, “With the goal of building a proud scientific and technological powerhouse that realizes peace through strength, we will: △ dramatically improve the service conditions and treatment of soldiers, △ build overwhelming defense capabilities, posture, and will, △ focus on artificial intelligence (AI)-based unmanned combat systems. “We are pursuing various policies with a focus on strengthening national defense capabilities through the construction of cutting-edge science and technology forces and the development of the defense industry,” he said.
Regarding the service conditions of soldiers, the Ministry of National Defense plans to increase the basic salary of entry-level executives by 6.0% this year, which is twice that of civil servants, and by 6.6% next year to reach 2 million won per month for sergeants. In addition, it was announced that on-call wages would be increased to a level comparable to that of similar positions such as firefighting and police.
The Ministry of National Defense is pursuing a plan to allow entry-level executives to receive approximately 1 million won more starting next year compared to the current amount by increasing the maximum amount of overtime pay and increasing various allowances. According to the Ministry of National Defense, the average monthly salary for sergeants this year is 3.03 million won for general units and 3.86 million won for guard units such as GOP, GP, ships, and air defense. If everything goes according to the Ministry of Defense’s plan, a sergeant in the security unit can receive up to 4.86 million won starting next year.
An official from the Ministry of National Defense said, “Last year, the upper limit of overtime pay for security forces was expanded to 100 hours (from the existing 57 hours per month), but if you look at the actual hours worked, it is much higher.” He added, “Discussions are underway to have it recognized closer to the actual working hours. “(If successful) we believe that the number of sergeants working in security units will be at a level comparable to that of general companies,” he said.
The Ministry of National Defense is continuing to promote the expansion of autonomous public high schools in order to resolve the difficulties in educating military children that arise when they frequently move and work in remote areas, and an additional Yeongcheon High School in Gyeongbuk is scheduled to be operated in 2026. Efforts are continuing to make military moving freight costs more realistic.
In the case of executive lodging, we plan to secure approximately 105,000 rooms, which is 92% of the required amount, by the end of this year. In addition, the plan is to secure 100% of the total 114,000 rooms required through additional construction by 2026 so that all executives can use them on a per person per room basis.
The Ministry of National Defense reported that the official residence launched a project for 574 households this year to improve old age and meet shortage requirements, and plans to begin a project for about 600 households in 2025. The size standard for a family of four in an official residence is being expanded from 75 m2 (28 pyeong) to 85 m2 (32 pyeong).
The barracks dormitory is currently improving the existing 8-10 person rooms to 2-4 person rooms, and has begun projects for 126 buildings this year. Next year, 61 additional buildings are scheduled to be improved.
The Ministry of National Defense announced that the military readiness posture against North Korea in the first half of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration was “normalized with the suspension of the September 19 military agreement, and we are solidly building a solid ROK-U.S. joint defense posture by strengthening joint exercises and training.” .
The Ministry of National Defense said that due to the September 19 military agreement, the South Korean military’s surveillance and reconnaissance against North Korea and practical training in operational areas were restricted, and in particular, units in the Northwestern Islands were required to undergo rotational training in inland areas, resulting in a waste of about 14 billion won in the defense budget. This is the explanation.
After the 9/19 military agreement was suspended, our military conducted 18 brigade-level and higher outdoor mobility exercises and 22 artillery and maritime shooting exercises in border areas. In addition, compared to the previous administration, ROK-US joint training was expanded approximately 2.4 times, and outdoor mobility training at the brigade level or higher was expanded 1.3 times.
Agreement increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Vice Minister Kim said, “North Korea has never lowered tensions in inter-Korean relations, and there was a difference in how we perceived it,” and “After the suspension of the agreement, practical training was held.” “I am confident that it can be done and that it will contribute to improving practical combat capabilities,” he said.
The Ministry of National Defense also cited the successful launch of military reconnaissance satellites 1 and 2 to expand independent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities as an achievement. Unit 3 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in the United States in the third week of next month.
Another achievement is that Korea and the United States upgraded the alliance to a ‘nuclear-based alliance’ by completing the joint guidelines of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) after the ‘Washington Declaration’. According to the Ministry of National Defense, the deployment of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula, which was non-existent between 2018 and May 2022, has been conducted more than 30 times since the Yoon Seok-yeol administration took office, expanding in frequency and intensity.
Our military is resuming high-level consultations between Korea, the United States and Japan and conducting multi-domain trilateral training to effectively deter and respond to North Korean threats. In addition, we are strengthening solidarity and cooperation with countries that share values, such as holding the ROK-UN Defense Ministers’ Meeting consecutively from 2023 to 2024.
The budget for manned and unmanned complex combat systems has been allocated at more than 200 billion won every year since 2023, and 306.9 billion won is scheduled to be invested next year based on the government plan. This amount has increased by approximately 302% compared to 2022.
Next year, the Ministry of National Defense plans to pilot AI-based ground manned and unmanned complex combat units and guard units based on the master plan for an AI-based unmanned and robot-centered combat system.
Defense industry exports, which averaged only $3 billion per year before 2020, have grown about five times to an annual average of $15 billion, including $17.3 billion in 2022 and $13.5 billion in 2023.
Defense industry cooperation partners, which had been concentrated in the Middle East and Asia, are expanding to Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, and export weapon systems, which were limited to the K9 self-propelled howitzer, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and multiple rocket launcher Chunmu, have also expanded. Currently, the K2 tank, medium-range surface-to-air guided weapon (M-SAM) II, portable anti-aircraft weapon Shingung, and Redback armored vehicles have also become representative export items.
The Ministry of National Defense is conducting discussions with various countries to export competitive weapon systems such as KF-21 fighter jets, long-range surface-to-air guided weapons (L-SAM), submarines, frigates, and Surion helicopters, as well as the maintenance and repair (MRO) industry, etc. Efforts are also being made to create new areas of cooperation in the defense industry.
The Ministry of National Defense “promises to continue to pursue effective defense policies with the goal of building a proud science and technology powerhouse in order to proactively respond to the changing security environment and support government policies to become a global pivotal nation with strong defense capabilities.” He emphasized.
(Seoul = News 1)
How is South Korea strengthening its military system to address cyber threats and improve soldier welfare?
Military system. This initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness on the battlefield, as suggested by the growing integration of artificial intelligence in military tactics worldwide.
Furthermore, the Ministry outlined its ambitions to advance cyber defense capabilities amid rising regional threats, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure and enhancing response strategies against potential cyberattacks. The investment in technological upgrades is seen as crucial for maintaining South Korea’s security and sovereignty.
In conjunction with these initiatives, educational programs aimed at improving soldier welfare and readiness are being expanded. This includes more comprehensive training in emergency response and specialized military skills, as well as bolstering support for the families of service members.
The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the adjustments in both salary and living conditions for service members, along with enhanced training capabilities and improved military readiness, are designed to foster a more resilient defense posture against evolving challenges, particularly from North Korea. The aim is to ensure that South Korean armed forces remain well-equipped, well-trained, and ready to respond effectively to any threats that may arise.