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Top military officer discusses NK threats with new NATO counterpart
South Korea's top general held phone talks with his new counterpart at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Thursday to discuss a joint response against North Korean military threats, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. In their phone conversation, JCS Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo and Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of the NATO military committee, shared their assessment of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and discussed ways to enhance military cooperation be
Feb. 20, 2025 -
First US strategic asset deployed to Korea under Trump 2.0
South Korea and the US conducted a combined aerial exercise on Thursday with a US B-1B strategic bomber, marking the first deployment of a US strategic asset to the Korean Peninsula since the launch of the second Trump administration. The B-1B bomber was escorted by the South Korean Air Force's F-35A and F-15K fighter jets and US F-16 fighter jets over South Korean airspace, according to South Korea's Defense Ministry. The ministry explained that the exercise aimed to demonstrate US extended det
Feb. 20, 2025 -
S. Korean Air Force chief test-flies KF-21 fighter jet
Gen. Lee Young-soo, Chief of Staff of the South Korean Air Force, conducted a test flight of the KF-21, South Korea’s supersonic fighter jet, on Wednesday to evaluate its readiness for operational deployment as it approaches the final stage of development. According to the South Korean Air Force, Gen. Lee piloted the KF-21 at speeds exceeding 1,000 kilometers per hour at an altitude of approximately 4,500 meters over the southern coast. During the flight, he evaluated the aircraft’s stability in
Feb. 19, 2025 -
Military deploys new homegrown bunker buster missile amid NK threats
South Korea has deployed a new homegrown bunker buster missile capable of striking underground enemy targets, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday, in its efforts to deter North Korean military threats. The military has deployed the Korean Tactical Surface to Surface Missile, capable of conducting simultaneous precision strikes in a short span of time against North Korea's long-range artillery firepower that threatens the greater Seoul area, in the event of a contingency, the JCS said in a rel
Feb. 18, 2025 -
South Korea, US space operations chiefs agree to deepen cooperation on N. Korean threats
Top military commanders overseeing space operations for South Korea and the United States reaffirmed the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation Thursday, emphasizing the growing threat posed by North Korea’s space-related military activities. "Our Air Force is integrating aerial and space intelligence into real operations to respond swiftly to asymmetric threats, including ballistic missile launches and GPS jamming (from North Korea)," said Lt. Gen. Kim Hyung-soo, commander of the Sou
Feb. 13, 2025 -
Tanks, but no thanks: Hyundai Rotem denies Steaua Bucharesti takeover talks amid K2 export bid to Romania
South Korea's Hyundai Rotem Co. on Thursday dismissed reports suggesting it was in talks to take over the management of Romania's government-owned Steaua Bucharesti football club, amid ongoing discussions with the Romanian defense ministry over a potential battle tank deal. The denial comes as Hyundai Rotem, a defense and railroad system affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, is negotiating the export of its K2 Black Panther battle tanks to Romania. The company has been engaged in talks with the Roma
Feb. 13, 2025 -
Air Force general to hold talks with senior US Space Force commander
A top South Korean Air Force general will meet a senior US Space Force commander on Thursday to discuss ways for cooperation against North Korea's space-based threats, the Air Force said. Lt. Gen. Kim Hyung-soo, head of the Air Force Operations Command, will hold the talks with Lt. Gen. David Miller, commander of the US Space Operations Command, at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul. It marks the first time the head of the US command in charge of the US Space Force's opera
Feb. 13, 2025 -
Boeing defends Apache as South Korea reviews price
Senior executives of US aircraft maker Boeing on Wednesday defended the role of crewed helicopters, particularly its flagship Apache attack helicopter series, as Seoul reassesses its plan to purchase 3.3 trillion won ($2.2 billion) worth of Apaches. “The Apache is the most powerful attack reconnaissance helicopter in existence, with top-tier performance and reliability,” said Christina Upah, Boeing’s vice president and general manager of attack helicopters, at a press conference in Seoul. “No un
Feb. 12, 2025 -
N. Korea sends 200 long-range artillery units to Russia for military tech transfer: Seoul
South Korea’s Defense Ministry reported Tuesday that North Korea has continued supplying military aid to Russia since last year, including 200 units of long-range artillery, likely in exchange for Moscow’s support in developing intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear submarines. In its report submitted to the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee on Tuesday, the ministry stated, "North Korea has continued supplying weapons, ammunition, and other military support to Russia follow
Feb. 11, 2025 -
N. Korea signals resolve on ‘force-for-force’ strategy amid Trump's overture
North Korea on Tuesday signaled its unwavering resolve to stick to its strategy of countering force with force against the United States, accusing Washington of seeking dominance through military might and vowing stronger countermeasures against what it calls US provocations. A spokesperson for North Korea’s Defense Ministry issued a press statement, condemning the arrival of the nuclear-powered fast attack submarine USS Alexandria in Busan a day earlier for replenishment. The statement marks th
Feb. 11, 2025 -
Korea to invest W3tr in defense exports
The government and the ruling People Power Party on Monday agreed to put over 3 trillion won ($2.06 billion) into 10 local defense technology export areas, including artificial intelligence, aerospace and high-end materials for the next two years. The announcement comes as officials eye a rebound for the country’s arms exports, which remained sluggish throughout last year despite the country’s goal to become the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter by 2027. The 10 tech fields tied to defense wou
Feb. 10, 2025 -
US Indo-Pacific commander receives honorary Korean name
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, has received an honorary Korean name and an honorary Taekwondo black belt from a South Korea-US alliance group, officials said Monday. Members of the Korea-US Alliance Foundation presented the name Seo Hae-seong and the honorary 7th degree black belt to the admiral during their visit to the command in Hawaii on Friday, the group said. According to the foundation, the name signifies becoming a person as vast as the sea and bright as a
Feb. 10, 2025 -
Ruling party calls for appointment of new defense minister amid security concerns
Defense ministry currently led by vice minister, No. 9 in military order of command The ruling conservative bloc has ramped up its call to appoint a new defense minister, highlighting that the current leadership vacuum poses a risk to security on the Korean Peninsula. The ruling People Power Party on Saturday called for the National Assembly to “actively participate” in coming up with practical measures to enhance security here, including nomination of the new defense minister. Vice Defense Mini
Feb. 9, 2025 -
North Korean leader says South Korea-US-Japan military cooperation causes regional conflict
Kim Jong-un reaffirms vow to develop ‘nuclear forces’ further as Trump, Ishiba agree to work on complete NK denuclearization North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has accused the trilateral military cooperation among South Korea, US and Japan of being a cause behind a “new conflicting structure” in the region, the North’s state media reported in English Sunday. The report came a day after US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed to work towards complete denuclearizat
Feb. 9, 2025 -
Acting President Choi calls for robust military readiness, high morale
Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday called for an unwavering military posture amid heightened security tensions, urging commanders to maintain high morale among troops. Choi convened a meeting at the command and control center of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul, where he emphasized the need "to establish an unwavering chain of command and maintain readiness to respond immediately to any provocations from North Korea." Amid domestic political uncertainty, Choi urged the military not to be
Feb. 7, 2025