http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200505/09/200505092304033939900090409041.html
Defense, foreign aid eyed for boosts
May 10,
2005 ㅡ After meeting today with Defense Ministry officials, the governing Uri
Party said it would seek to increase the defense budget by about 10 percent
annually for the next five years.Uri deputy floor leader Oh Young-sick said the
party would also seek to boost defense spending on research and development,
with a target of raising its allocation from 4.5 percent of the defense budget
to 10 percent in 10 years. This year's defense budget is 20.8 trillion won
($20.8 billion).Separately, after meeting with Foreign Ministry officials, the
party said it would seek to raise Korea's Official Development Assistance
contribution for impoverished countries from 0.06 percent of gross national
income to 0.1 percent by 2009. A number of officials from within and outside the
government have lately criticized Korea for not spending enough on foreign aid.
The party also said it would seek a funding increase for inter-Korean projects
such as the Kaesong industrial park, the Mount Kumgang resort and rail service.
The party will hold more budget meetings today and tomorrow with officials from
various ministries.
Well, this sounds all well and good. Honestly, most observers knew this was a long time in coming. The ROK pays quite a low amount for its military (compared to that of other nations with "hostile" boarders). What I wonder is how long it will take for the general populace to translate this into tax dollars out of their pocket? Serious, they moaned about the cost of relocating Yonsan garrison, how is this one going to go over?
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