Korean Overseas Information Service, The Ministry of National Defense wants to introduce 20 more F-15K fighters as the Air Forces' next-generation fighter aircraft from next year and it will launch a pilot scheme under which enlisted men and women leaving the military are required to undergo mandatory medical checkups before rejoining society.
The ministry submitted to the Ministry of Planning and Budget on Wednesday (June 28) a draft defense budget for next year containing these among other proposals.
The proposed defense budget, scaled at 24.75 trillion won, was up 9.9 percent from this year's. The cost for improvements in defense capability was set at 6.91 trillion won, up 19 percent, and that for ordinary operations 17.84 trillion won, an increase of 6.8 percent.
Highlights of the proposed defense budget are new projects to introduce sophisticated equipment intended to enhance fighting power as part of national defense reforms, and a raise in the salaries of enlisted service people, and improvements in their food, clothing and barracks to raise morale.
The most notable of the projects is the introduction of more of the next-generation fighter jets. The ministry set aside 29 billion won for next year to secure 20 aircraft. The entire bill for the next-generation fighter project amounts to 2.3 trillion won.
The ministry intends to raise the monthly pay of 65,000 won for a corporal to 80,000 won and the daily meal coverage to 5,000 won from 4,805 won as part of improving living conditions for the enlisted servicemen next year. It also wants to replace the traditional floor bedding in living quarters in 25 Army battalions, 25 living quarters in the Navy and Air Forces and 75 living quarters in posts in the DMZ with beds at a cost of 546.8 billion won.
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