SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean military has increased its budget request for reinforcing military strength in five western border islands following North Korea's deadly artillery attack on one of them last week, lawmakers said Monday.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration has requested about 312.3 billion won (US$269.7 million) to be set aside from next year's budget to upgrade the military's defense capability at the islands, lawmakers said.