SEOUL - South Korea and North Korea have continued to pour resources into modernising their militaries despite a frenzy of diplomacy since 2018, data shows, creating a point of tension that has sharpened as talks have stalled.
In a commentary last Friday, North Korean state news agency KCNA said South Korea's pursuit of new weapons systems is an"unpardonable act of perfidy" that threatens to undermine peace on the peninsula.South Korean President Moon Jae-in's administration has committed billions of additional dollars to the country's defence budget, which is already among the largest in the world.
"Given the recent uncertain security environment, the government is investing heavily in strengthening its defence capabilities," the MND said when the plan was announced. The F-35"puts North Korea's anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence systems in an extremely vulnerable position, which is likely why the North is responding by accelerating its own SRBM development," Mr DePetris said.
Although Mr Kim has signalled interest in using more of the country's vast defence industry to work on civilian projects, there is little sign of progress, and international aid organisations say tens of thousands of North Koreans face food shortages.
By 2025, South Korea plans to reduce its standing military from 599,000 troops to 500,000, according to the Defence White Paper, with the aim of"a military that is smaller in size but stronger in combat."
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
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