S. Korea's Lee vows to increase defense spending to bolster security posture

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that South Korea will increase defense spending as part of efforts to play a more "leading" role in bolstering its security posture on the Korean Peninsula, Report informs via Yonhap.

Lee made the remarks at a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, following his first summit with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

"South Korea will take on a more leading role in maintaining security on the Korean Peninsula. First of all, (we) will increase defense spending," he said, without specifying a target.

Lee said an increase in the defense budget will be used to acquire cutting-edge technologies and assets to strengthen the capabilities of the Korean military.