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Defense Ministry silent on warnings against North Korea
South Korea's Defense Ministry began the new year on Thursday without issuing its traditional New Year's message, which in recent years had strongly warned North Korea against provocations. The ministry's change came amid growing controversy surrounding allegations that several former and current military officials played key roles in President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law imposition on Dec. 3. Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho has been at the helm of the ministry since early December,
Jan. 2, 2025 -
Industry, defense ministries to expand ties on 3D printing military parts
South Korea's industry and defense ministries on Thursday signed an agreement to expand cooperation in using 3D printing technology to produce discontinued military parts. The two ministries have been using 3D printing technology since 2017 to produce parts difficult to procure for warships and tanks, with the latest agreement paving the way for deeper cooperation, they said. "The project has been improving the operation rate of the country's defense system by securing parts for warships and tan
Jan. 2, 2025 -
Defense Ministry to review dismissal of military commanders involved in martial law probe
The Defense Ministry has launched a review of whether or not to dismiss the Defense Counterintelligence Command and Capital Defense Command chiefs over their alleged involvement in President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law decree last month, an official said Wednesday. On Tuesday, Yeo In-hyung of the Defense Counterintelligence Command and Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo of the Capital Defense Command were indicted with physical detention on charges of abuse of power and playing a key part in an insurr
Jan. 1, 2025 -
JCS chief calls for seamless readiness posture against N. Korean threats
The chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday called for a seamless readiness posture against North Korea's possible provocations, stressing the need to make powerful responses if Pyongyang stages saber-rattling. Adm. Kim Myung-soo made the call during his phone talks with commanding officers at major operational units, including the general outpost battalion commander at the Army's 25th Infantry Division and the commanding officer of the Yeonpyeong unit in charge of western border islands
Jan. 1, 2025 -
Safety inspection of military aircraft under way after Jeju Air crash
A special inspection to ensure the safety of military aircraft is under way as the defense ministry has ordered the military to examine all aircraft following the fatal Jeju Air crash, officials said Tuesday. The Navy has kicked off a safety inspection that will run through Saturday to examine its aircraft, including the P-8A maritime patrol plane based on the Boeing 737-800 commercial jet. The Navy completed its acquisition of six P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft in July to bolster
Dec. 31, 2024 -
North Korean captive from Ukraine war dies: sources
South Korea’s intelligence agency confirmed Friday that a North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces has died. “It’s confirmed through friendly intelligence agencies that the North Korean soldier, captured by Ukrainian forces on Thursday, succumbed to severe injuries,” an official from the National Intelligence Service said Friday afternoon. The soldier was captured by Ukrainian special forces in the Kursk region of Russia. According to local reports, North Korea has sent more than 11,000
Dec. 27, 2024 -
Army receives 1st homegrown Light Armed Helicopter
The Army on Thursday received the first model of the homegrown Light Armed Helicopter as part of its efforts to modernize the fleet of aging helicopters, the state defense procurement agency said. A ceremony to mark the helicopter's delivery took place at the headquarters of its manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. in Sacheon, 291 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The LAH is equipped with improved armaments, such as the Chungum air-to
Dec. 26, 2024 -
Biden signs annual defense policy bill, including maintaining USFK troop level
President Joe Biden has signed into law an annual defense policy bill that calls for maintaining some 28,500 American troops in South Korea and reaffirming the United States' deterrence commitment to the Asian ally, according to the White House. Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025, which authorizes $895 billion for national defense programs. Both the House of Representatives and the Sente endorsed the legislation in recent weeks. Congress passes it each year
Dec. 25, 2024 -
How North Korea’s provocations have shifted in 2024
The decline in North Korean provocations reflects its political burden of managing strategic uncertainties while strengthening ties with Russia.
Dec. 24, 2024 -
Ex-military commander referred to prosecution over insurrection charges
A former commander of the Defense Intelligence Command suspected of being involved in President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid was referred to the prosecution on insurrection charges, officials said Tuesday. A joint investigation team referred retired Army Maj. Gen. Noh Sang-won to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office with physical detention on charges of rebellion. Noh is accused of discussing martial law operation plans with former and incumbent military intelligence officers
Dec. 24, 2024 -
JCS chief, USFK commander affirm alliance's strength
The top military officers of South Korea's armed forces and the United States forces stationed in Korea reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral military cooperation, addressing security concerns amid regional uncertainties and political instability. The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced Monday that Adm. Kim Myung-soo, who chairs South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Xavier Brunson, chief of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command, spoke over the phone Monday afternoon. Ki
Dec. 23, 2024 -
DAPA unveils advanced combat platform compatible with smartphones
South Korea’s arms procurement agency announced Monday that it has introduced a new communication system compatible with walkie-talkies and smartphones, aimed at enhancing battlefield information sharing. According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Soldier Battlefield Visualization System enables users to share various types of information, including text messages and image data of targets detected through optical sights with allied forces. The system supports both walkie-ta
Dec. 23, 2024 -
Unification minister, spy chief undergo questioning in martial law probes
Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho and the spy agency chief have undergone questioning by investigators as part of their ongoing probes into President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law this month, officials said Sunday. Kim underwent questioning by police for six hours Saturday over his attendance at a Cabinet meeting that took place shortly before Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, making him the latest participant of the gathering to appear before police investigato
Dec. 22, 2024 -
South Korean military launches third spy satellite
South Korea’s military launched its third domestically developed spy satellite on Saturday, furthering efforts to build a constellation of reconnaissance satellites designed to enhance the country’s ability to closely monitor North Korea and swiftly detect signs of potential provocations. The Defense Ministry undescored that the satellite launched Saturday is expected to enhance the military's "Kill Chain" capability, which involves preemptively striking targets by detecting signs of nuclear and
Dec. 21, 2024 -
USFK soldier dies in flight-related accident at Camp Humphreys
An American helicopter repair soldier stationed in South Korea died earlier this week in a "flight-related" accident at a major US military base, a US Army unit said Saturday. Pfc. Edwin Thomas, 20, was pronounced dead Thursday at a military hospital inside Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, about 65 kilometers south of Seoul, after an accident took place there earlier in the day, according to the US 2nd Infantry Division. The unit did not offer details of the accident, noting that it remains under i
Dec. 21, 2024