SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s new conservative president vowed to bolster the country’s defense capabilities and strengthen its alliance with the United States, as he took office Tuesday amid heightened tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
Yoon Suk Yeol, a former top prosecutor who has never held elected office, said he would increase defense spending to 3% of the country’s gross domestic product, up from the current 2.9%. He also pledged to establish a new agency dedicated to coordinating national security and defense policy.
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