Coast Guard Sets Next Year’s Budget at 2.1 Trillion Won... Equipment Upgrades Including Large Helicopter Simulator

The Coast Guard announced on September 3 that it has set its 2026 budget proposal at 2.1325 trillion won, a 4.9% increase from this year. The general account budget proposal stands at 2.087 trillion won, up 94.7 billion won (4.8%), while the fund proposal is 45.5 billion won, an increase of 4.7 billion won (11.5%).

By sector, 506.4 billion won is allocated for maritime sovereignty, 147.5 billion won for rescue and safety, 23.6 billion won for investigations, 29.2 billion won for marine environment conservation, and 240.3 billion won for organizational capacity. In particular, the rescue and safety sector saw a 31.5% increase from this year’s 112.2 billion won, allowing for expanded introduction of maritime safety equipment.

Coast Guard Headquarters Building

In the aircraft acquisition sector, the budget includes funds for replacing the eighth and final aging Kamov helicopter as part of a replacement project that has been underway since 2021.

Additionally, for the first time among central government agencies, the budget includes funds for introducing a large helicopter simulator capable of replicating actual maritime flight and search-and-rescue environments. The Coast Guard has been working to secure large helicopter simulator equipment since a large helicopter (S-92) crashed off the coast of Marado during a search support mission in April 2022.

In the vessel construction sector, the budget includes funds for replacing aging 3,000-ton class large vessels, medium-sized hovercraft, and high-speed boats mounted on vessels. These upgrades are expected to further enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to crack down on illegal foreign fishing boats and respond to rescue operations.

Commissioner Kim Yongjin stated, "We have prepared a field-oriented budget proposal to protect public safety and maritime sovereignty," adding, "Next year, we will work to make the sea a safer place for the public."

The government budget proposals, including that of the Coast Guard, will be finalized following deliberation by the National Assembly in early December.