Most Popular
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[Exclusive] Korean military set to ban iPhones over 'security' concerns
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Korean, Romanian leaders discuss defense tech, nuclear energy
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[Graphic News] 77% of young Koreans still financially dependent
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S. Korea calls on Japan to confront history amid Yasukuni Shrine visit
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Yoon’s jailed mother-in-law excluded from latest parole list
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Hybe and Min Hee-jin, CEO of Hybe sublabel Ador, lock horns
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[Pressure points] Leggings in public: Fashion statement or social faux pas?
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Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok team up in 'Whenever Possible'
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Korea’s homegrown nanosatellite successfully launches into space
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Aging population to drive down Korea's housing prices from 2040: experts
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Allies still believe THAAD is necessary: ministry
South Korea’s Defense Ministry on Monday attempted to downplay concerns that Seoul and Washington may retract their plans to station the U.S.’ advanced missile defense system here, saying the allies still view it as necessary for the country’s national security.The allies have agreed to discuss the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in South Korea, after North Korea carried out a Jan. 6 nuclear test and fired a long-range rocket on Feb. 7. But their plan to launch offic
Feb. 29, 2016
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U.S. push to deploy THAAD in S. Korea will continue: Seoul
The United States will remain unchanged in its push to deploy its advanced anti-ballistic missile system known as THAAD in South Korea, a defense ministry official here said Monday.Earlier this month, South Korea and the U.S. launched talks on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, to counter North Korea's increasing nuclear and missile threats.The bilateral negotiations were abruptly put on hold by the U.S. last week without specific reasons, sparking speculations
Feb. 29, 2016
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China: Envoy voices opposition to U.S. shield in Seoul
China's chief nuclear envoy, Wu Dawei, has voiced the country's opposition to the possible deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system in South Korea during his meetings with Seoul officials, China's foreign ministry said Monday. Wu, who arrive in South Korea on Sunday, expressed his "solemn position" on the possible deployment of the U.S. missile shield, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery, in South Korea, China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters.South Ko
Feb. 29, 2016
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U.S. to use all possible defense capabilities to safeguard Seoul
The United States is committed to using the full range of its defense capabilities to safeguard South Korea in the event of war with North Korea, a defense ministry official here said Monday after attending a joint defense exercise in California.The allies held their annual anti-nuclear joint exercise at Vandenberg Air Force Base last week where some 40 defense officials from the two countries discussed warfare strategies to counter North Korea's nuclear and weapons of mass destruction threats.
Feb. 29, 2016
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Debate heats up over Korea's nuclear armament
A debate is heating up over whether South Korea should pursue nuclear armament after North Korea has fueled security jitters here by conducting a fourth nuclear test last month.Experts and politicians are sharply divided as they contemplate the potential benefits and perils of the South's nuclearization, which they say is bound to reshape the contours of regional politics and security. The Seoul government has said that its vision of a nuclear-free peninsula will remain unchanged with the U.S.'
Feb. 26, 2016
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U.S. Pacific commander: THAAD talks don't necessarily mean deployment
The decision by South Korea and the United States to begin consultations on the potential deployment of the THAAD missile defense system doesn't mean the two sides have agreed to deploy the system, the U.S. Pacific commander said Thursday."Neither South Korea nor the United States have agreed to put a THAAD in Korea," Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. said at a Pentagon briefing. "The decision to discuss it is not necessarily a decision to do it, not yet. So, we're having the discussions now, and we'll s
Feb. 26, 2016
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[Reporter’s Column] Don’t ask, don’t know
Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea, told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that the first meeting of the joint working group for deployment of an advanced missile defense system in South Korea is expected within a week.Scaparrotti said that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system is a “complex system” and it would take some time to find the right location for it. The allies have been discussing THAAD deployment since North Korea conducted a nucl
Feb. 25, 2016
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New naval base opens on southern resort island of Jeju
South Korea will officially launch the Navy's new base on the southern resort island of Jeju this week, wrapping up the landmark naval project which took the country 23 years and more than 1 trillion won (US$806 million) to accomplish, the Navy said Thursday. The naval base, billed by the Navy as Jeju's private-military sea port, is capable of docking 20 combat vessels and two cruise ships of the largest class simultaneously. Set up along the southern coast of Jeju, the foot of South Korea,
Feb. 25, 2016
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Defense Minister inspects readiness of military's counter-terror units
Defense Minister Han Min-koo inspected the combat readiness of the military's special counter-terror units Thursday as the government recently warned of possible terror attacks by North Korea.Han visited the Special Warfare Command's counter-terror unit and a special chemical warfare battalion to check the forces' battle preparedness earlier in the day, the ministry said in a statement.The defense chief instructed the troops to maintain a "thorough readiness position" against possible terrorist
Feb. 25, 2016
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Korea, New Zealand hold defense talks
South Korea held defense policy talks with New Zealand Thursday to discuss security issues, including North Korea's recent nuclear and long-range missile tests, the South Korean government said.Director-General for International Policy Yoon Soon-ku represented South Korea during the talks held at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul, with the New Zealand side headed by Charlotte Beaglehole, director of international relations.The discussion will encompass defense issues such as the security
Feb. 25, 2016
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Seoul summons Chinese envoy over THAAD remark
The South Korean Foreign Affairs Ministry on Wednesday summoned Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Qiu Guohong to protest his recent comments against deploying an advanced U.S. missile defense system here. Qiu had said that stationing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system here may “destroy” the bilateral relationship between Seoul and Beijing, during a meeting with interim leader of the main opposition The Minjoo Party Kim Jong-in on Tuesday. Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Kim Hon
Feb. 24, 2016
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Korea, U.S. hold joint air force training
Seven A-10 American anti-tank aircraft have been deployed in South Korea for joint air force training, the Air Force here said Wednesday.The four-day Buddy Wing exercise between South Korean and U.S. air force squadrons will run through Thursday in Osan Air Base, it said.The U.S. mobilized seven A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft for the joint drill, which focuses on the allies' capability to carry out joint air support operations.The A-10 is tasked with launching air attacks on North Korean armored vehi
Feb. 24, 2016
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Allies postpone launch of THAAD talks
South Korea and the U.S. will sign an agreement to officially launch talks to station a U.S. advanced missile defense system here this week, the Ministry of National Defense said, postponing its original plan to reach a deal on Tuesday.The ministry on Monday had said it would sign an agreement with the U.S. military on a joint working group for negotiations on deploying Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system on 11 a.m. Tuesday. The allies have mulled over having the ballistic missile defense
Feb. 23, 2016
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Korea to dispatch 6th rotational PKO forces to South Sudan
South Korea will dispatch its 6th batch of peacekeeping troops to South Sudan as part of its mission to help the civil war-torn African country's rebuilding efforts, the Army said Tuesday.The 270-strong contingent will depart for the United Nations peacekeeping operations based in Bor, located in the Jonglei State of South Sudan, in two groups in late February and mid-March, it said.South Korea first stationed the rotational PKO forces with the U.N. Mission in South Sudan in March 2013 and has r
Feb. 23, 2016
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Korea-U.S. to hold exercises against N.K. nuclear threats
The Ministry of National Defense said Monday that officials from South Korea and the U.S. plan to hold a tabletop exercise against nuclear threats from North Korea. The meeting, hosted by the allies’ Deterrence Strategy Committee, will postulate a situation in which Pyongyang poses threats with its nuclear program and missiles. Tabletop exercise refers to discussion-based sessions on contingency plans for simulated scenarios. During the tabletop exercise, allies will assess North Korean threats
Feb. 22, 2016
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Defense ministry dismisses THAAD speculation as rumor
The Ministry of National Defense on Monday dismissed the growing speculation about South Korea's possible purchase of the U.S.-made THAAD missile defense system as a "mere rumor."Although the ministry has said it would not purchase a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system from the U.S., speculation has persisted that Seoul would acquire one or two THAAD batteries to counter Pyongyang's evolving nuclear and missile threats."(The speculation) is a mere rumor. It is not true," ministry spokespe
Feb. 22, 2016
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'Belated’ THAAD talks reflect bumpy road ahead
The protracted preparation to launch the official working-level negotiations over the deployment of an advanced missile defense system here reflects the number of thorny issues the two sides must tackle such as costs, environment and health concerns. The talks are expected to be held this week and the South Korean government officials assured that the preparation was smooth, but it comes more than two weeks after the two sides announced they would begin formal consultations.Progressive activists
Feb. 22, 2016
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Senior U.S. diplomat to visit S. Korea for possible THAAD talks
A senior U.S. diplomat handling missile defense will visit Seoul next week for meetings with defense, foreign affairs and American military officials, the State Department said, suggesting the trip is related to the proposed deployment of the THAAD missile defense system to the South.Frank Rose, assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, will be in Seoul from March 4-6 "for meetings with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S. Forces Korea,
Feb. 22, 2016
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South Korea, U.S. Marines to intensify amphibious drill
South Korea and the United States Marines Corps. will intensify their joint amphibious drill in March, an official familiar with the matter said Sunday, in what could be seen as a retaliation against the recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch by North Korea.The two Marines will strengthen their inland ground operations, which are conducted after landing in an amphibious vehicle, a South Korean military official told Yonhap News Agency on condition of anonymity.The two allies will try t
Feb. 21, 2016
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Kaesong shutdown will not affect nuclear development: Pyongyang
The recent shutdown of an inter-Korean industrial complex will not affect Pyongyang's nuclear program, as it started before the opening of the zone, North Korea said Saturday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the mouthpiece of Pyongyang, said its development of nuclear and "space" programs will remain intact after the shutdown, adding that South Korea's plan to cut the funding of such moves by closing the complex will be unsuccessful. The South Korean government decided to close the
Feb. 20, 2016