ID :
38306
Wed, 12/31/2008 - 14:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/38306
The shortlink copeid
LEAD) Seoul to spend W7 trillion on defense goods in first half of 2009
((ATTN: UPDATES with remarks from the president, defense minister in paras 8-10, 15)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will spend over 7 trillion won (US$5.4
billion) in the first half of next year on purchasing weapons and other defense
articles as well as new apartments for military servicemembers to help boost the
country's slumping economy, the defense ministry said Wednesday.
The amount accounts for over 60 percent of the ministry's budget for next year
that is earmarked for domestic purchases. The plan was part of the ministry's key
policy goals for 2009 as briefed to President Lee Myung-bak.
"The ministry decided to take measures to help the country overcome the economic
crisis as it understands economic recovery is a prerequisite to building a
strong, advanced military," Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee said in his report to
the president.
The move is also in line with government plans to execute over 60 percent of its
entire annual spending in the first half of next year to help revive the slowing
economy.
The ministry will also seek to increase the country's defense exports to $1.2
billion, up 20 percent from $1 billion marked this year, to help spur job
creation.
The number of army conscripts allowed to work at industrial companies instead of
serving their two-year mandatory military service will also be increased to 7,200
from the current 5,400 to help relieve the difficulties of small- and-medium-size
enterprises in finding workers, it said.
The ministry's new year goals also include efforts to strengthen the country's
military alliance with the United States and to contain threats from North Korea
along the demilitarized zone and the often disputed maritime border in the Yellow
Sea, known as the northern limit line.
"The ministry will continue to maintain a firm defense posture in the new year,
allowing the government and the people to focus on reviving the economy," the
defense minister told reporters.
Lee noted the incoming U.S. administration of Barack Obama may prefer a
multinational approach on major international issues, but said such a change in
the U.S. stance will not affect the alliance between the two countries.
"During his phone call with our president after his election, President-elect
Obama said the South Korea-U.S. alliance provided the foundation of peace and
security in Asia and that he wants to further strengthen the alliance," the
minister said.
South Korea will also seek to establish joint countermeasures with the
international community to prepare for any transnational or non-military threats
from North Korea, such as terrorism and cyber attacks, the ministry said.
The ministry added it would continue to support reconciliation between the
divided Koreas by maintaining dialogue channels with the communist nation and by
working to reduce military tension.
It noted, however, that the North continued to pose serious threats to the
country with its conventional and nonconventional weapons.
"The North Korean regime is expected to solidify its strong grip on the people
under its Songun (Military First) policy, while it could try to create additional
tension through provocations, nuclear tests or missile launches," the report
said.
President Lee, who was also briefed Wednesday on the policy objectives of the
foreign and unification ministries, noted it was important for the related
ministries to coordinate their policies on North Korea and the United States,
according to the defense minister.
Pyongyang detonated a nuclear device in October 2006 in its first-ever nuclear
test. The communist nation is believed to have up to 48 kilograms of plutonium,
which is enough to make six to eight nuclear weapons, according to officials
here.
Since the 2006 test, Seoul's arms buildup has been focused on securing
capabilities to deter the North's nonconventional weapons, such as new Aegis
ships that can simultaneously engage and intercept up to 20 targets, including
missiles, within a 150-kilometer radius.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will spend over 7 trillion won (US$5.4
billion) in the first half of next year on purchasing weapons and other defense
articles as well as new apartments for military servicemembers to help boost the
country's slumping economy, the defense ministry said Wednesday.
The amount accounts for over 60 percent of the ministry's budget for next year
that is earmarked for domestic purchases. The plan was part of the ministry's key
policy goals for 2009 as briefed to President Lee Myung-bak.
"The ministry decided to take measures to help the country overcome the economic
crisis as it understands economic recovery is a prerequisite to building a
strong, advanced military," Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee said in his report to
the president.
The move is also in line with government plans to execute over 60 percent of its
entire annual spending in the first half of next year to help revive the slowing
economy.
The ministry will also seek to increase the country's defense exports to $1.2
billion, up 20 percent from $1 billion marked this year, to help spur job
creation.
The number of army conscripts allowed to work at industrial companies instead of
serving their two-year mandatory military service will also be increased to 7,200
from the current 5,400 to help relieve the difficulties of small- and-medium-size
enterprises in finding workers, it said.
The ministry's new year goals also include efforts to strengthen the country's
military alliance with the United States and to contain threats from North Korea
along the demilitarized zone and the often disputed maritime border in the Yellow
Sea, known as the northern limit line.
"The ministry will continue to maintain a firm defense posture in the new year,
allowing the government and the people to focus on reviving the economy," the
defense minister told reporters.
Lee noted the incoming U.S. administration of Barack Obama may prefer a
multinational approach on major international issues, but said such a change in
the U.S. stance will not affect the alliance between the two countries.
"During his phone call with our president after his election, President-elect
Obama said the South Korea-U.S. alliance provided the foundation of peace and
security in Asia and that he wants to further strengthen the alliance," the
minister said.
South Korea will also seek to establish joint countermeasures with the
international community to prepare for any transnational or non-military threats
from North Korea, such as terrorism and cyber attacks, the ministry said.
The ministry added it would continue to support reconciliation between the
divided Koreas by maintaining dialogue channels with the communist nation and by
working to reduce military tension.
It noted, however, that the North continued to pose serious threats to the
country with its conventional and nonconventional weapons.
"The North Korean regime is expected to solidify its strong grip on the people
under its Songun (Military First) policy, while it could try to create additional
tension through provocations, nuclear tests or missile launches," the report
said.
President Lee, who was also briefed Wednesday on the policy objectives of the
foreign and unification ministries, noted it was important for the related
ministries to coordinate their policies on North Korea and the United States,
according to the defense minister.
Pyongyang detonated a nuclear device in October 2006 in its first-ever nuclear
test. The communist nation is believed to have up to 48 kilograms of plutonium,
which is enough to make six to eight nuclear weapons, according to officials
here.
Since the 2006 test, Seoul's arms buildup has been focused on securing
capabilities to deter the North's nonconventional weapons, such as new Aegis
ships that can simultaneously engage and intercept up to 20 targets, including
missiles, within a 150-kilometer radius.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
