N. Korean scholar casts population decline as threat to national development

North Korea is showing growing concern that its declining birth rate could eventually undermine national development, with a state scholar describing population decline as a serious challenge to a country’s survival and future. In an article posted Friday on the website of Kim Il Sung University, Ho Kwang-rim, a professor in the university’s economics faculty, said persistently falling birth rates were leading to population decline in an increasing number of countries. Such a trend has become a

2026-07-31 17:08:49:00

Seoul to expand nuclear submarine acquisition unit under DAPA

South Korea is moving to expand a submarine program unit under the country’s arms procurement agency, as it accelerates efforts to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. The Interior Ministry has drafted a revision to the organizational decree governing the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and affiliated agencies, according to government officials Friday. Public opinions on the proposal will be accepted through Monday. Under the revision, the Korean Submarine Project Group, a temporary or

2026-07-31 12:27:35:00

[단독] 주한미군사령관, 내년 이임 가능성…차기 보직 불투명

자비에 브런슨 한미연합사령관 겸 주한미군사령관이 내년을 끝으로 물러날 가능성이 큰 것으로 전해졌다. 브런슨 사령관은 2024년 12월 20일 취임해 현재 약 19개월째 근무 중이다. 복수의 소식통은 30일 브런슨 사령관이 2027년까지 주한미군사령관으로 근무한 뒤 이임할 것으로 예상된다고 밝혔다. 브런슨 사령관은 주한미군뿐 아니라 한미연합군사령부와 유엔군사령부를 함께 지휘하는 한국 내 미군 최고위 장성이다. 다만 현재까지 구체적인 후임 후보는 거론되지 않은 것으로 알려졌다. 사령관 교체가 예상되는 2027년은 한미가 전시작전통제권 전환과 주한미군의 역할 및 전력 구조 등 주요 동맹 현안을 놓고 논의를 이어갈 시기라는 점에서도 주목된다. 군 소식통들에 따르면 브런슨 사령관은 랜디 조지 전 미 육군참모총장이 지난 4월 퇴임한 이후 후임 육군참모총장 후보로 검토됐다. 그러나 차기 육군참모총장에는 현재 육군참모차장 겸 참모총장 직무대행인 크리스토퍼 라니브 대장이 유력한 것으로 전해졌다. 라

2026-07-30 18:08:06:00

[Exclusive] USFK commander likely to serve only to 2027

Gen. Xavier Brunson, the most senior US military officer in South Korea, is expected to remain commander of United States Forces Korea only into 2027, multiple sources said Thursday. The timing is notable, as any leadership transition would come while Seoul and Washington are confronting major questions ranging from the transfer of wartime operational control to the future role and force posture of US troops on the Korean Peninsula. Potential candidates to take over from Brunson remain unclear,

2026-07-30 18:07:51:00

Military begins network overhaul after bandwidth shortfalls

South Korea’s military is overhauling the broadband network supporting military operations and advanced weapons systems after bandwidth shortages emerged at some units, even after the system recently underwent costly upgrades. According to military officials on Thursday, the Ministry of National Defense has commissioned a policy study on optimizing the Military Broadband Convergence Network. The Military Broadband Convergence Network is a dedicated military broadband network that carries voice,

2026-07-30 13:40:35:00

Lee vows practical support for overseas Koreans during Chile visit

President Lee Jae Myung pledged to expand practical support for overseas Koreans Wednesday, saying his government seeks to reduce even the minor inconveniences they face while living abroad. “The Korean government will listen closely to the diverse voices of overseas Korean communities and expand the support they need,” Lee said during a dinner meeting with about 100 Korean residents in Santiago. The event was Lee’s first official engagement after arriving in Chile for a two-day state visit. “We

2026-07-30 11:04:31:00

Unloaded machine guns at frontline posts? Army faces criticism

South Korea’s Army is facing criticism after a front-line corps was found to have kept ammunition separate from heavy machine guns during guard operations against North Korea, raising concerns that troops could be unable to respond immediately in an emergency. According to military officials Wednesday, the Army’s 1st Corps, responsible for defending the western front and the northern approaches to Seoul, revised its guard duty procedures during the first half of the year. Under the revised proce

2026-07-29 14:22:38:00

White phosphorus leaks at US air base in Pyeongtaek

A white phosphorus leak occurred at Osan Air Base, a US military installation in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday, prompting authorities to advise nearby residents to evacuate. According to fire and police officials, the leak was reported at around 4:54 p.m. at Osan Air Base, also known as K-55, in Seotan-myeon, Pyeongtaek. White phosphorus produces thick white smoke when exposed to oxygen and is used by the military to create smoke screens. The substance is highly reactive and can igni

2026-07-28 18:14:55:00

South Korea to enshrine nuclear nonproliferation in submarine law

South Korea’s Defense Ministry is moving to prohibit nuclear fuel intended to power submarines from being diverted to nuclear weapons — an apparent move to address proliferation concerns surrounding the program. The ministry plans to issue a legislative notice for the proposed bill as early as Wednesday, according to officials Tuesday. “The ministry is establishing the legal and institutional foundation needed to ensure the stable implementation of the nuclear-powered submarine program,” a minis

2026-07-28 14:42:30:00

Defense Ministry begins return to former headquarters after 4 years

South Korea’s Defense Ministry has begun moving back into its former headquarters, marking a U-turn on one of the most visible changes made under former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The ministry vacated the building in May 2022, when Yoon moved the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae to the Defense Ministry compound in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. At the time, the ministry moved into the adjacent Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters. The move back started on July 21 and is scheduled to conclude Aug. 14, when

2026-07-28 13:45:18:00