Seoul steps up aerial patrols of South Sea

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin plans to visit the United Arab Emirates for talks with his counterpart on increasing military and defense industry cooperation between the two countries, his ministry said Sunday. The three-day trip that starts Monday will also include a visit to South Korea’s military contingent stationed in the country, the ministry said. The “Ahk” unit of some 150 t...

The South Korean government said it plans to announce an expanded air defense zone on Sunday, amid a growing regional row following China's unilateral expansion of its own. The Ministry of National Defense will declare the expanded air zone early Sunday at its headquarters, with the exact time of the release to be announced soon, ministry officials said. Tension has been running high in East As...

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― With the planned purchase of F-35 stealth fighter jets, South Korea will gain “comprehensive” support from the largest U.S. defense firm, Lockheed Martin, in its bid to produce an indigenous fighter jet, code-named the KF-X, a senior company official said Wednesday. “Lockheed has made a comprehensive offer through our offset program for the KF-X, which would be assista...

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― South Korea plans to purchase 14 CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the United States, according to the Pentagon’s weaponry trade arm. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has already notified Congress of South Korea’s request for the sale of the twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopters. A proposed package deal estimated at $151 million would include spare part...

With the planned purchase of F-35 stealth fighter jets, South Korea will gain "comprehensive" support from the largest U.S. defense firm, Lockheed Martin, in its bid to produce an indigenous fighter jet, code-named the KF-X, a senior company official said Wednesday. "Lockheed has made a comprehensive offer through our offset program for the KF-X, which would be assistance through technology tra...

South Korea plans to purchase 14 CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the United States, according to the Pentagon's weaponry trade arm. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has already notified Congress of South Korea's request for the sale of the twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopters. A proposed package deal estimated at $151 million would include spare parts and logistical sup...

South Korea plans to finalize its decision to expand its air defense zone this week and will explain it to its neighboring states before officially declaring it, Seoul officials said Tuesday. Since Beijing unilaterally drew an Air Defense Identification Zone in the East China Sea last week that overlaps with those of South Korea and Japan, Seoul has been pushing to expand its zone to protect its...

South Korea is in early consultations with the United Stats over its reported plans to redraw a maritime air defense zone in response to China's declaration of its own air zone in the East China Sea, a diplomatic source said Monday. Beijing's announcement in late November has added to military tensions in Northeast Asia. Seoul is especially irked as China's new zone includes Ieodo, an underwater...

Seoul working on plan to expand air zone