Most Popular
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Key suspects grilled over alleged abuse of power in Marine death inquiry
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Marine Corps commander summoned by CIO for questioning on alleged influence-peddling case
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S. Korean children, teens grow taller, mature faster than before: study
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Army takes group action against Hybe for neglecting BTS
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Some junior doctors are returning: Health Ministry
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Ador CEO's request for exclusive right to terminate NewJeans' contract with Hybe refused in February
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Debate rages over ‘overly fatty’ samgyeopsal
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Naver will consider company benefits in deciding on selling Line shares: CEO
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[Weekender] Korean psyche untangled: Musok
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Woman dangling from power lines rescued by residents holding blanket
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[Multicultural Korea] Military changing to embrace diversity
The number of foreign residents in Korea continues to grow and now accounts for some 3.6 percent of the country’s population. This story is part of a series that examines how Korea is grappling with the issue of multiculturalism, as well as the challenges facing new arrivals. -- Ed.In a country where the phrase “homogenous nation” was once chanted with pride not long ago, there was nothing strange about a provision within the military law that exempted men of mixed heritage from military service
Feb. 19, 2019
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Defense chiefs of Korea, UAE discuss military ties, cooperation
The defense ministers of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates have held talks to discuss ways to strengthen military ties and defense industry cooperation, Seoul's defense ministry said Sunday.During the talks in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and his counterpart Mohammed Ahmed Al-Bowardi agreed to beef up military personnel exchanges and strengthen cooperation in such areas as military training and responses to cyber threats, the ministry added. Defense Minister Je
Feb. 17, 2019
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USFK chief says American troop presence not related to end-of-war declaration or peace treaty
US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams reaffirmed Friday that the issue of the American troop presence in South Korea is not related to any potential declaration of an end to the Korean War or a peace treaty with North Korea. His remarks came amid controversy over his congressional statement this week, which was seen as signaling the possibility of the US troop withdrawal -- or drawdown -- in the event that a peace treaty is signed with Pyongyang. (AFP)"USFK's presence remains a matter of
Feb. 15, 2019
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US 7th fleet's command ship visits Busan
The command ship of the US Navy's 7th Fleet visited the southeastern port city of Busan on Friday to enhance exchanges and friendly ties between the allies' naval forces, South Korea's Navy said.Following months of maintenance work, the 19,609-ton USS Blue Ridge, based in Yokosuka, Japan, is on a regional tour and expected to stay in Korea until early next week, according to an informed source. (Yonhap)A South Korean military official said that the ship's crewmembers may meet South Korean troops
Feb. 15, 2019
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Trump says S. Korea should pay US more for defense
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for a further increase in South Korea's share of the cost of stationing American troops on the peninsula.Trump's remarks came only days after the allies signed a preliminary agreement renewing their cost-sharing deal for the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea."As you know, South Korea -- we defend them and lose a tremendous amount of money," the US president said at a Cabinet meeting, repeating a signature refrain.(Yonhap)"Billions of dollars a year defendi
Feb. 13, 2019
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Korean defense companies selected to maintain F-35 stealth fighters
Korean companies have been selected for the maintenance of F-35 stealth fighters, the acquisition administration here said Tuesday. According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Ellen Lord, US undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, has announced that a consortium of Korean defense companies, Team ROK, has been officially selected for the maintenance of F-35 stealth fighter parts.Team ROK consists of Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Corp./Machinery, and Hanwha Techwin --
Feb. 12, 2019
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[Feature] Mobile phones in barracks: Soldiers no longer under total control
One of the most rigid and conservative groups in South Korea is slowly changing: the military. Upon announcing a comprehensive military reform plan last year, the Defense Ministry has been implementing unprecedented policies out of respect for the rights of rank-and-file soldiers. A recent policy the ministry is moving to implement is allowing its conscripted soldiers to use their mobile phones inside the barracks, albeit for a limited number of hours a day. While it is unimaginable for c
Feb. 12, 2019
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S. Korea ditches plan for new military command amid peace efforts
South Korea's military has canceled a plan to establish a new strategic command tasked with countering North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, a Seoul official said Tuesday, amid a full-fledged peace-building initiative.Instead, the Ministry of National Defense is considering installing a new division inside the Joint Chiefs of Staff to cope with the threats from the North's nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.President Moon Jae-in pledged to launch the command during his election c
Feb. 12, 2019
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Details of cost-sharing for US troops in Korea
Korea will spend some 1.04 trillion won ($925 million) this year to help pay for the stationing of US troops here, under an agreement that was preliminarily signed Sunday.Seoul has shared the financial burden for the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea since 1991 under the Special Measures Agreement.Korea’s contributions, increased by 8.2 percent this year, are spent to pay wages for Koreans hired by the USFK, for military construction and on logistics. Chang Won-sam (right), South Korea‘s delegate to
Feb. 11, 2019
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South Korea, US ink provisional defense cost-sharing pact
South Korea and the United States signed a provisional agreement Sunday on the sharing of costs to maintain US troops here, with South Korea raising its share by 8.2 percent. Seoul’s negotiator, Chang Won-sam, and his US counterpart, Timothy Betts, met in Seoul to ink the contract. Under the new deal, South Korea will pay about 1.03 trillion won ($890 million) to cover the costs of stationing the 28,500 members of US Forces Korea here throughout 2019. The figure reflects the rate of increase of
Feb. 10, 2019
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Korea to launch negotiations on aircraft swap deal with Spain
South Korea and Spain are expected to launch negotiations as early as this month on a proposed deal to swap military transport planes of the European nation with Korean trainer jets, defense officials said Sunday. The deal, if realized, would mark South Korea's first export of aircraft to Europe. (Yonhap)According to government and military officials, South Korea has been reviewing Spain's proposal to trade some of its A-400M transport planes made by Airbus for KT-1 and T-50 trainer jets produce
Feb. 10, 2019
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S. Korea denies media report on lodging of additional protests over Japanese aircraft's flyby
South Korea’s defense ministry on Saturday denied a Japanese newspaper report claiming that it had lodged additional protests over a Japanese military plane‘s low-altitude flyby of a South Korean naval ship.Earlier, Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported that South Korea lodged protests with Japan between late January and early February over a Japanese maritime patrol plane’s threatening flyby. (Yonhap)However, the South Korean defense ministry said that such a report is not true, adding that
Feb. 9, 2019
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S. Korea, US to announce military exercise plan after Trump-Kim summit: source
South Korea and the United States have postponed the announcement of plans for their combined springtime military exercises until after the second summit between Washington and Pyongyang slated for late this month, a government source said Friday.If the allies press ahead with their annual training programs, ongoing preparations for the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may be affected. There's also a possibility that the leaders will reach a deal to ca
Feb. 8, 2019
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Korea guarded about allied exercise plans amid Trump-Kim summit preparations
South Korea's defense ministry maintained a cautious approach Thursday toward springtime joint exercises with the United States amid preparations for a second summit between Washington and Pyongyang.Seoul and Washington have been discussing how to proceed with their combined exercises, counting on their potential impact on ongoing diplomacy for Pyongyang's denuclearization and peace on the divided peninsula. (AFP)The Seoul-based conservative daily Chosun Ilbo reported that the two-week Key Resol
Feb. 7, 2019
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Korea, US nearing deal on defense cost sharing: lawmaker
South Korea and the United States may conclude their drawn-out negotiations on defense cost sharing as early as Thursday, a ruling party lawmaker said, adding Seoul's share will likely be set at around 1 trillion won ($889 million)."The defense cost sharing negotiations have entered their final stage," Rep. Lee Soo-hyuck of the ruling Democratic Party told reporters. (Yonhap)"(The sides) have agreed to set the amount only for this year, and are in the process of narrowing their differences to ar
Feb. 7, 2019
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S. Korea-US joint military exercise schedule to be announced: sources
South Korea and the United States are currently discussing when to announce the dates of their scheduled joint military exercises, Seoul's defense sources said Tuesday.The two countries have already decided on the schedule and scope of their combined exercises that are scheduled for the first half of this year, they said. (Yonhap)"(The two sides) finished arbitration on the method of S.Korea-US military exercises slated for the first half of the year," said a defense ministry source who asked no
Feb. 5, 2019
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Military allows soldiers to leave barracks twice a month
South Korea’s Defense Ministry on Friday implemented a new policy allowing conscripted soldiers to leave their barracks for personal affairs up to twice a month.All able-bodied Koreans between 18 and 38 years old are required to serve military service for 21 to 24 months. Conscripts are prohibited from leaving their barracks unless they are granted vacation authorized by the military. (Yonhap)The ministry eased the restriction from Friday, allowing soldiers to leave their barracks after work fro
Feb. 1, 2019
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Top Korean, US military leaders vow to maintain strong defense posture
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Park Han-ki and his US counterparts vowed to maintain a strong defense posture Friday. According to South Korea's military, Park held separate phone conversations with US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joe Dunford and Philip Davidson, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, to reaffirm their alliance and cooperation. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Park Han-ki (Ministry of National Defense)“Korean and US military authorit
Feb. 1, 2019
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[News Focus] Will US wade into Seoul-Tokyo military dispute?
As the Seoul-Tokyo spat over Japanese warplanes’ flights over South Korean Navy ships continues, eyes have turned to the possible intervention of the US in the escalating dispute between its two core allies in Asia. While the US has been maintaining its silence on the issue, Harry Harris, the US ambassador to Korea, made an unannounced visit to the Ministry of National Defense to speak with Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo on Monday. (Yonhap)The Defense Ministry said the ambassador’s visit was
Jan. 30, 2019
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S. Korean defense chief meets US Ambassador Harris
South Korea‘s Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo met Harry Harris, Washington’s top envoy here, Monday to discuss a range of pending issues, Jeong‘s ministry said. The ambassador’s unannounced visit to the Ministry of National Defense came amid a deadlock in the allies‘ negotiations over Seoul’s share of the cost of stationing U.S. troops in Korea.Harry Harris (Yonhap) They might also have discussed the issue of a recent military spat between Seoul and Tokyo, America‘s two core Asian allies, over
Jan. 28, 2019