U.S. Military Budget Raised by 48 Billion Dollars, the Biggest Jump Since Reagan

U.S. President George W. Bush requested U.S. Congress for a large increase in military budget for 2003 by 48 billion dollars (62 trillion 400 billion won) to continue his war on terrorism.

This is the biggest jump in the past 20 years since the Ronald Reagan administration in 1980s. At the speech to the Reserve Officers Association (ROA), Mr. Bush mentioned that "My primary goal is military defense. The priority of the budget for 2003 will be the expansion of military armaments to protect the people."

Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of Defense explained, "If Congress accepts President Bush`s request, the military budget will be 397 billion dollars (429 trillion 700 billion won). However, the increase may not compare to the biggest increase of the military budget in 1985, considering the inflation since then."

Mr. Bush demanded a 38 billion dollar increase of the military budget and 10 billion dollars for expanding the war on terrorism.

The major portion of the increased amount will be spent for wage raise of the soldiers and strengthening of the military power such as MD plan and purchasing high tech weapons and aircraft equipments.

Ki-Heung Han eligius@donga.com