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Heavy snow, cold wave expected this weekend
A cold wave and heavy snow will hit South Korea Saturday, with up to 10 centimeters of snowfall predicted for some areas in the central region, according to the weather agency Friday. Snow was expected to begin falling along the western coast Friday and could spread to most parts of the country by Saturday, said the Korea Meteorological Administration. Predicted snowfall ranges from 10-30 cm for Ulleungdo and Dokdo, 5-20 cm for Jeju Island’s mountainous regions, and 3-10 cm for southern
Dec. 20, 2024 -
Gen. Brunson to take office as new USFK chief this week: Pentagon
Gen. Xavier Brunson will assume office as the new commander of US Forces Korea this week, the Pentagon press secretary said Thursday, reiterating the United States' "ironclad" commitment to the bilateral alliance. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder made the remarks, saying US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo will preside over the ceremony on Friday, where Gen. Paul LaCamera will turn over command of the 28,500-strong USFK to Brunson, former commander of First Corps. The USFK com
Dec. 20, 2024 -
Acting minister, US defense chief reaffirm 'ironclad' alliance regardless of politics
Despite ongoing political turmoil in South Korea prompted by the Dec. 3 martial law imposition, acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have reaffirmed the decadeslong "ironclad" alliance between the two countries, Seoul's Ministry of Defense said Friday. In a phone call, Kim "expressed his gratitude for the US government's support of the ironclad South Korea-US alliance despite the current domestic situation," according to Seoul�
Dec. 20, 2024 -
Ex-DCC chief claims Yoon mentioned martial law in 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol reportedly mentioned the possibility of declaring emergency martial law last year, calling it a last resort, according to testimony by former defense counterintelligence chief Yeo In-hyung during prosecution questioning. According to Kyunghyang Shinmun, a local daily, Yeo testified that Yoon first mentioned “taking emergency action” to address “difficult social issues” in late December 2023. Yeo interprets “emergency action&rdquo
Dec. 19, 2024 -
Over 1,500 troops, 100 vehicles, 9,000 live rounds mobilized on martial law night
More than 1,500 military personnel, equipped with a range of firearms, along with over 100 military vehicles, were reportedly mobilized during President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration on Dec. 3. According to a report released Thursday by Rep. Bak Seung-a of the Democratic Party of Korea, 107 military vehicles were deployed by the Army Special Warfare Command and the Capital Defense Command on the night of the martial law declaration. The report, which Bak received from the Defense
Dec. 19, 2024 -
Senate passes annual defense policy bill, including maintaining USFK troop level
The Senate approved an annual defense policy bill Wednesday that calls for maintaining some 28,500 American troops in South Korea and reaffirming the United States' deterrence commitment to the Asian ally. In an 85-14 vote, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025, which authorizes $895 billion for national defense programs. The House approved the legislation a week ago. Congress passes the bill each year to set defense policy and funding priorities and
Dec. 19, 2024 -
Army unit had live ammunition on martial law night: report
Live ammunition and Taser gun cartridges, along with blank rounds, were taken out of a military depot for the 707th Special Mission Group that forcibly entered the National Assembly after martial law was declared on Dec. 3. According to a report submitted to Rep. Seo Young-kyo by the Army Special Warfare Command -- the group's parent unit -- 3,960 live rounds, 1,980 blank rounds and 100 cartridges for Taser guns, were withdrawn for the 707th Special Mission Group on the night when impeach
Dec. 18, 2024 -
Military to conduct defense drills against NK drones this week
The South Korean military said Wednesday it will carry out drills this week aimed at sharpening its response capabilities against potential North Korean drone infiltrations as part of efforts to deter provocations from North Korea. The exercise, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, will simulate an attack by the North involving multiple drones in the East Sea and the Yellow Sea, as well as rear areas, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Participating units, including the Army Ground Operations
Dec. 18, 2024 -
Top military officer inspects partially restored guard post inside DMZ
South Korea's top military officer on Tuesday visited a partially restored guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas to inspect troop readiness against North Korean threats, his office said. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo's visit came amid concerns of North Korea possibly undertaking provocative acts in light of South Korea's recent political turmoil. Kim instructed troops to maintain a posture to "immediately" respond to a
Dec. 17, 2024 -
Arrest warrant issued for ex-Army chief
A military court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for Army Gen. Park An-su, formerly Army chief of staff, on charges related to his involvement in impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration. The arrest warrant was initially sought by the prosecution's special investigation unit probing Yoon's martial law decree on Sunday. Park has been suspended from his position as Army chief of staff since Thursday, as the Defense Ministry deemed him unable to perform
Dec. 17, 2024 -
F-15K upgrade to cost W1tr extra due to inflation: DAPA
The budget for a project to enhance the South Korean Air Force's key fighter aircraft, the F-15K, has risen by over 1 trillion won ($697 million) due to increasing labor and material costs in the defense industry, according to the country's arms procurement agency. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced that the agency's defense acquisition program promotion committee has approved the final plan for the project on Monday. With a focus on improving the key aviatio
Dec. 17, 2024 -
Military suffers unprecedented leadership void
South Korea’s military leadership crisis is deepening as key unit commanders come under scrutiny in the investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Three three-star generals under investigation have been dismissed from their posts while the Army Chief of Staff has been suspended from duty. The military court on Monday issued an arrest warrant for Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-geun, former chief of the Special Warfare Command and Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, former he
Dec. 16, 2024 -
Yoon Suk Yeol, commanders give conflicting accounts of night of martial law
President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was suspended from his duties following a National Assembly vote on Saturday, said in his last address to the nation that he ordered troops to retreat from parliament on the night he imposed martial law. Yoon’s account contrasts with what military commanders have said about the events of Dec. 3-4. “I said only a small number of troops would be brought in (to the National Assembly) to maintain order, and they won’t be armed with live ammunition, and
Dec. 15, 2024 -
Rep. Han Ki-ho offered defense minister post after initial nominee declines: reports
Rep. Han Ki-ho of the ruling People Power Party has reportedly been offered the role of defense minister after the initial nominee declined to take the position amid the political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial martial law declaration. According to local media reports, the Presidential Office informed Han of the nomination on Thursday. A four-term lawmaker, Han serves on the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee and is a retired three-star Army gen
Dec. 13, 2024 -
Army chief suspended after being named suspect
Four-star Army Gen. Park An-su, who was appointed to lead the martial law command during the Dec. 3 martial law declaration, has been suspended from his position as Army Chief of Staff, the Defense Ministry announced Thursday. Gen. Go Chang-jun, a four-star general currently leading the Army 2nd Operations Command, has been appointed acting Army Chief of Staff. The spokesperson explained that Go was chosen for his extensive knowledge of ground operations. Park’s suspension brings the total
Dec. 12, 2024