The Korean government aims to increase its defense budget 9 percent to 26.7 trillion won ($28.9 billion) next year, the Defense Ministry said Thursday (Sept. 20).

The 2008 defense budget, if approved by the National Assembly, will account for 15.2 percent of the overall government budget, the ministry said.

The government will increase ordinary operating expenditure by 6.2 percent to 18.9 trillion won, while raising expenditure for the improvement of defense capabilities 16.5 percent to 7.8 trillion won, it said.

Welfare expenditure aimed at improving soldiers' living conditions will amount to 3 trillion won, up 2.6 percentage points.

The ministry intends to increase soldiers' monthly salary, with a corporal's salary, for instance, set to rise to 88,000 won from the current 80,000 won.

The ministry will also set aside 120 billion won for dozens of new projects, such as the purchase or development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that can be remote-controlled or fly autonomously, infantry fighting vehicles used to carry infantry into battle and provide fire support for them and tank landing ships.

It also plans to acquire four Global Hawk UAVs by 2012. The $45 million craft can cruise at an altitude of 19,500 meters for up to 42 hours and identify 30-centimeter objects on the ground.

The defense ministry said it initially requested 26.9 trillion won for its 2008 budget, of which 224 billion was slashed by the Ministry of Planning and Budget.

The nation's defense budget for 2007 totals 24.49 trillion won.