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

Zelenskyy says Russia seeks 30,000 more North Korean troops

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russia is preparing to receive an additional 30,000 North Korean troops. However, local experts say frontline deployment is unlikely despite growing Pyongyang-Moscow military ties. In a social media post on Saturday, Zelenskyy claimed that Russia wants another 30,000 North Korean soldiers, and that preparations have been underway in Russia’s Voronezh region to receive them since June. The Ukrainian leader added that North Korea was also pr

2026-07-27 15:41:01:00

North Korea covers Panmungak building at JSA for apparent repairs

North Korea has installed a large screen covering Panmungak, the main building in the northern section of the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom, the South Korean military said Monday. According to the military, the entire three-story building has been hidden from view by the screen since around April. Officials said the screen appeared to have been installed for repair work. No unusual military activity has been detected in the area since it was erected, they added. Panmunjom is the inter-Korean

2026-07-27 14:26:03:00

Shincheonji once again rises to center stage in South Korean politics

Allegations of political interference by the religious sect Shincheonji have once again risen, this time engulfing the ruling Democratic Party of Korea’s leadership race after former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok vowed to prevent interference by the religious group. Kim first raised the issue on July 19, describing the leadership race as a confrontation with disguised anti-Lee Jae Myung forces, divisive factionalism and Shincheonji. “The essence of this convention is ultimately a major battle agai

2026-07-26 15:14:58:00

Coffee-less coffee and chocolates without cocoa perk up North Korea's substitute economy

North Korea’s latest answer to chocolate does not start with cocoa. Choson Sinbo, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan, reported last month that researchers at Ryanggang University of Industry had developed chocolate made with “purple beans” instead of cocoa powder. The report said the technology had been registered as a North Korean patent and that the product had been put into production at a food factory in Ryanggang Province. While the report touted the bean-based chocolate as an achievement,

2026-07-25 16:00:00:00