▲ Defense Acquisition Program Administration chief Lee Yong-cheol gives a speech at an event marking the 20-year anniversary of the arms procurement agency on Jan. 2, 2026, in this file photo provided by the agency. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Marines-tanks

DAPA chief calls to expedite review to launch project to deploy K2 tanks to Marine Corps

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- The chief of South Korea's arms procurement agency on Wednesday called for a swift review of whether to launch a project to deploy K2 battle tanks to the Marine Corps to help strengthen the armed force's capabilities.

Lee Yong-cheol, minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said the plan to replace the Marines' current K1 tanks with K2s is a "core" project aimed at boosting the Marine Corps' operational independence.

The Marine Corps has called for the replacement of the K1 series tanks currently in service with the K2s, but no decision to acquire the assets has been confirmed yet.

The plan is likely to gain traction as the defense ministry has earlier announced plans to restore the operational control of two Marine divisions governed by the Army for the first time in 50 years.

The overhaul is part of President Lee Jae Myung's policy aimed at restructuring the three-pronged military structure, consisting of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, to give the Marine Corps greater independence.

If a review process to launch the project is finalized in the first half and it is launched this year as planned, some 40 K2 tanks are expected to be deployed to the 1st Marine Division over the next two to three years, with another 40 to follow for the 2nd Marine Division.

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