South Korea boosts military expenditure by 7.5% at US behest
South Korea will increase its military spending by 7.5%, the most in seven years. Although a culture of militarism pervades South Korea's society, many believe that money could be better spent.
I think 7.5% is a huge amount.
I think it could be used for foreign aid for developing countries or other causes more beneficial than our military or the US military.
An Jung-Keun, Post Office Clerk
Seoul's jump in defense spending comes at the insistence of US President Donald Trump, who's alternated between threatening to withdraw US forces and demanding ever larger sums for their deployment in Korea.
South Koreans confidence in the US as an economic partner suffered with the expulsion of the country's high tech workers from factory construction in the US state of Georgia earlier this Year; Trump's shift in the US Alliance commitment is compounding that unease.
In its national security strategy released this week, Washington neglected to even mention North Korea, South Korea's primary concern, instead highlighting the threat it sees from China and the US has also been pressuring South Korea to join its Beijing containment strategy, an unpopular policy in Seoul.
The US might try to use South Korea to defend against China, but I think that's a dangerous idea, and I hope we don't get involved.
An Jung-Keun, Post Office Clerk
South Korean civic leader Lee Hong Jung warns of the dangers of getting involved in US conflicts and contributing to the regional arms race.
If we continue to purchase US strategic weapons, often in the name of national defense, and align ourselves with US deterrence against China, it will be extremely difficult to break free from this dependent defense system.
Ultimately, boosting military spending will only exacerbate the threat of war and push the security crisis on the Korean peninsula to the brink once again.
Lee Hong-Jung, Independent Unification and Peace Solidarity
Instead, many South Korean activists want to exercise greater independence, reduce military spending, and, rekindle genuine dialog with North Korea.
Majority of Americans oppose war on Venezuela
Medical advances and progress in Iran
Palestine Action proscription review
Ayatollah Khamenei: Iran advancing despite many challenges
Baby dies of cold as winter hits displaced Gazans amid Israeli attacks
Nuclear chief: Iran should turn from buyer to creator of technology
Swiss MPs urge revocation of UEFA tax-exemption over Israel ties
'No war on Venezuela' demonstration in US
Pezeshkian hails ‘decisive step’ in ties as Iran, Kazakhstan seal 14 deals
VIDEO | India faces new political clash over patriotic song
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
