South Korea to Raise Defense Spending to Deter Threat From North
South Korean soldiers on a truck move to a position during an anti-terror drill.
Photographer: Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
South Korea plans to raise defense spending by 4 percent next year, more than the average for the entire budget, as President Park Geun Hye sees stepped up military readiness as a way to pressure North Korea to seek dialogue.
The increase comes after signs that North Korea has been expanding its nuclear arsenal and improving the range of its missiles. Tensions between the countries came to a head during a military standoff in August that may have provoked an exchange of artillery fire. The incident prompted talks on improving ties and led this month to the first reunions of families separated by the Korean War in more than a year.