As tensions continue to grow between North and South Korea so does each country’s military spending. More specifically, South Korea’s. The 38th parallel between the two countries is becoming more apparent with the steady increase of military on either side. While South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense didn’t comment on the growing military presence around the borders, North Korea states the recent short range missile launches were to perfect them in order to be ready as South Korea gets more and more weapons.
Even though South Korea’s military budget is one of the highest in the world, it plans on further increasing military spending. A 10.3% increase of budget year on year. One of the many things the country plans on getting is a aircraft carrier for F-35B stealth fighter jets. They also received the first of forty F-35A aircraft from the United States. North Korea views this as a threat and a violation of the de-escalation agreement made just last September.
A new strategy had to be made for South Korea though in the coming years as the population leans on the older side and national birth rate is decreasing. By 2025, they plan on reducing the number of troops from about 600,000 to 500,00 and instead focus on quality of combat over quality. This means whoever modernizing the military has become a priority.
Although North Korea cannot economically compete with South Korea in an arms race due to restrictive international sanctions, the country has been very set on using missiles and showing military strength. Additionally, even with plans of decreasing troops in the future, South Korea is still increasing spending and strengthening their military.
Seoul has an estimated population of around 11.5 million and is around 31 miles from the 38th parallel or DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone). The increasing tensions could be devastating to the city if North Korea acts through missiles or troops.
Both countries are showing no sign of legitimately following through with the de-escalation agreement they made.