South Korea has finalized a 4.4% hike in defense spending for 2023 that includes funding for new preemptive strike capabilities to defend against North Korean attacks, while the unification ministry has earmarked more money for work on North Korea human rights.

The defense ministry announced Monday that the increase will bring Seoul’s total defense budget for next year to $44.7 billion (57 trillion won).

“The ROK government and the National Assembly have agreed to secure core military strength for responses against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats amid a situation where Pyongyang is raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula with