Defense chief links DMZ mine to North Korean border fortification

South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Tuesday that the North Korean mine believed to have caused last week's explosions in the Demilitarized Zone had been planted rather than displaced from elsewhere, linking it to Pyongyang's efforts to fortify the inter-Korean border. "It does not appear to have been displaced from elsewhere," Kang said during a plenary meeting of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee in Seoul. Kang, however, cautioned against concluding that the mine

2026-09-29 18:05:25:00

Lee calls for transparent DMZ mine probe amid row over investigation delay

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for a swift and thorough investigation into last week's Demilitarized Zone land mine explosions while warning against disinformation. "The military authorities should transparently uncover the truth through a swift and thorough investigation in close cooperation with the United Nations Command," Lee said during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. "We will take necessary measures depending on the findings," he added, while also urging political c

2026-09-29 14:58:27:00

JCS says evidence suggests North Korean mine likely cause of DMZ blast

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that the explosions that injured three military personnel inside the Demilitarized Zone last week are highly likely to have been caused by North Korean mines. The JCS also said that the military will take appropriate and corresponding measures if the findings are confirmed. The JCS said its assessment was based on several circumstances that ruled out South Korean mines and pointed instead to North Korean ones. "Considering the findings so far and t

2026-09-28 22:30:33:00

Milrem draws on Ukraine battlefield experience to advance unmanned systems

Korea Herald correspondent TALLINN, Estonia — On a control screen inside Milrem Robotics’ headquarters in Tallinn, a THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle moved across a field some 25 kilometers away, transmitting live video, fuel levels and battery status. The demonstration offered a glimpse of a future battlefield already taking shape in Ukraine, where unmanned systems are increasingly being sent into areas too dangerous for soldiers or crewed vehicles — reducing the risk to human lives and offering

2026-09-26 16:00:00:00

Korea, Estonia deepen defense ties through industry partnerships

Korea Herald correspondent TALLINN, Estonia — South Korea and Estonia are seeking to broaden defense industry cooperation beyond arms sales, with companies and industry groups taking a larger role as the two countries navigate different strategic concerns surrounding Russia. For Estonia, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has heightened concerns over its own long-term security, prompting Tallinn to sharply increase defense spending and strengthen its military capabilities. South Korea, meanwhile, has

2026-09-20 10:43:58:00

Estonian defense firms pitch battlefield know-how, NATO access to Korean partners

Korea Herald correspondent TALLINN, Estonia — For Estonian defense companies seeking deeper ties with South Korea, one of their selling points is something money alone cannot easily buy: experience. “The lessons learned, lessons identified from Ukraine, it is something that is measured in gold right now,” said Marko Kaseleht, founder of Estonian battlefield intelligence company SensusQ. “Getting feedback, understanding how your adversaries are collaborating, all that is something that everybody

2026-09-17 12:00:44:00

Law Firm YK and The Korea Herald team up to launch executive briefing 'Policy Inside'

Law Firm YK and The Korea Herald signed a memorandum of understanding Friday to jointly launch a private breakfast briefing program designed to help corporate leaders navigate changes in government policy and regulations. Under the agreement, the two sides will jointly operate the program for CEOs and senior executives, providing analysis of major government policies and regulatory developments and examining how businesses can respond to their potential impact. The program, named “Policy Inside,

2026-09-11 16:42:13:00

S. Korea sends 2nd relief team to Nepal as 9 nationals remain missing

South Korea sent a second disaster relief team to Nepal on Friday, carrying about 4 tons of humanitarian supplies. Nine South Koreans remain missing more than two weeks after devastating floods and landslides struck the country. The eight-member Korea Disaster Relief Team departed from Gimhae Airport at 2:55 a.m. aboard an Air Force KC-330 military transport aircraft and was scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu at around 9 a.m., according to the Foreign Ministry. The team comprises two officials eac

2026-09-11 14:50:39:00

Gender minister nominee rejects calls to give up seat, hits back at main parties

Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Rep. Yong Hye-in said Thursday she would retain her parliamentary seat if appointed minister, despite mounting calls for her to resign. Yong, the sole lawmaker of the minor Basic Income Party, is serving her second term in the National Assembly as a proportional representation lawmaker. She has faced criticism since President Lee Jae Myung nominated her on Aug. 30 for her plan to concurrently serve as a lawmaker and Cabinet minister. By law, National A

2026-09-10 15:20:28:00

[Key Points] Philippines looks to South Korea for next phase of defense modernization

Defense ties deepen: Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro called South Korea a “reliable partner” in Manila’s military modernization, citing strategic alignment, affordability and strong after-sales support. Beyond arms sales: Manila wants the relationship to shift from procurement toward co-production, joint shipbuilding and broader defense-industrial cooperation in the Philippines. Korean hardware expands: South Korea supplies much of the Philippines’ new naval fleet, while Manila has

2026-09-09 21:43:28:00