Article

South Korea's Defense Ministry is grappling with a budget shortfall, finalizing its 2026 budget at 65.86 trillion won, down from the proposed 66.29 trillion won, and leaving 500.2 billion won unpaid by the end of 2025. The shortfall has resulted in unpaid savings program funds for about 15,000 soldiers and frozen payments for defense projects, prompting the Finance Ministry to review the situation and the National Assembly to investigate further. Concerns have also arisen regarding a proposal to elevate the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to a ministry-level agency amidst these financial challenges.