South Korea’s president vowed on Wednesday to sharply increase defence spending to introduce a variety of high-tech weapons as part of efforts to build a more self-reliant military, as US President Donald Trump’s America-first agenda raises questions about the US security commitment to its ally.
A tariff war instigated by Trump’s administration and his transactional approach to security threatens to erode many South Koreans’ trust in the US. There are concerns that he may demand much higher South Korean payments for the US military presence in the country or possibly downsize America’s military footprint to focus more on China. In an Armed Forces Day ceremony on Wednesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung described the South Korea-US military alliance as “solid” and didn’t mention any concerns about Trump’s policies. But he repeatedly stressed an intention to build a more independent military that can independently defend the country from external threats.
“We should move toward a strong, self-reliant defence, based on our pride and confidence in our military power,” Lee said. “To ensure peace and prosperity for the Republic of Korea, we must not depend on anyone else but strengthen our own power.” To boost a self-reliant defence posture, Lee said his government would increase next year’s defence spending by 8.2 per cent to introduce advanced weapons systems like AI combat robots, autonomous drones and precision attack and defence missile systems. The Government will also actively foster defence industry and improve soldiers’ welfare by upgrading their service conditions and compensation systems, he said.
Lee, a liberal who espouses greater peace on the Korean Peninsula, didn’t mention rival North Korea, a likely effort not to provoke the country. But bolstering South Korea’s military readiness would clearly be aimed at more effectively deterring potential aggressions from North Korea, which has nuclear weapons.