Editor’s Note: This is Part 4 of a multi-part Korea Pro series aggregating South Korean presidential candidates’ official pledges, categorized by policy area. This article examines the candidates’ platforms related to national defense, conventional and nuclear capabilities, military reform and the defense industry.

South Korea’s four major presidential candidates outline divergent defense priorities, reflecting broader ideological divides on deterrence strategy, personnel reform and the role of the defense industry. While some emphasize next-generation technologies, others focus on military de-escalation or conscription overhaul.

Korea Proanalyzed the official campaign platforms submitted to the National Election Commission by candidates from the