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(LEAD) S. Korea to streamline army, beef up artillery
SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to streamline its army by cutting the number of divisions while increasing its artillery over the next decade or so, an official said Monday.
The plan, subject to presidential approval, is part of new policy guidelines for reform that the defense ministry is pushing to implement by 2020, the official said, asking anonymity.
About 10 trillion won (US$7.8 billion) will be spent on introducing 1,000 K-9 self-propelled guns, while the number of army divisions will likely be reduced by half or more, the official said.
The number of troops will stay above 500,000, the official noted. The current size stands at 655,000.
Another 29 trillion won will go into the purchase of 640,000 shells for multiple launch rocket systems, the official said.
"Through the guidelines, the army seeks to secure capabilities that can counter the threat of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction," the official said.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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