US aircraft carrier looks to join Seoul-Washington military drill

The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier made a port call in Guam on Friday in what could be a preparation to take part in an annual joint military drill between South Korea and the United States slated for March, a military source said.A possible mobilization of the nuclear-powered carrier for the upcoming Key Resolve exercise is aimed at deterring North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats, it added.In early January, the Nimitz-class carrier departed from Naval Base San Diego, which is the

Feb. 10, 2017

Korea revises long-term defense reform plan

South Korea's military has revised its long-term defense reform plan to better cope with North Korean threats, including the creation of special units tasked to neutralize its leadership and key facilities in case of contingencies, officials said Thursday. "We have made the revision in a bid to secure the most urgent defense capabilities against North Korean threats over the next five years (through 2021)," a high-ranking ministry official told reporters in a background briefing. "Under the chan

Feb. 9, 2017

S. Korea, Japan, China to discuss N. Korea's cyber threats in Tokyo this week

South Korea, Japan and China will hold a trilateral meeting to coordinate their policies on cyber security in Tokyo this week, including their joint response to North Korea's evolving cyber threats, the foreign ministry said Thursday.South Korean Ambassador for International Security Affairs Shin Maeng-ho will meet with his counterparts, Koichi Mizushima of Japan and Long Zhou of China, in the third round of the Cyber Policy Consultation set for Friday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affai

Feb. 9, 2017

Marine Corps chief to visit US to discuss alliance

South Korea's Marine Corps chief on Thursday left for the United States for a week-long visit to discuss enhancing cooperation between the allies and expanding the role of the marines in countering North Korea.  Marine Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Lee Sang-hoon will meet his US counterpart Gen. Robert B. Neller during his trip, in reciprocation of Neller's Seoul visit in October. It marks the first US visit by South Korea's Marines chief in a decade, the Marine Corps said in a statement. Marine Corp

Feb. 9, 2017

Korea-US drills to simulate THAAD use

South Korea and the US will employ an operational guideline to counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile facilities including the use of Washington’s advanced missile defense system for the first time during their upcoming annual joint military exercises, Seoul’s military officials said Wednesday. During the Key Resolve computer-simulated drills scheduled to kick off in March, the allies will apply the principles of “4D” -- detect, defense, disrupt and destroy. Adopted in 2015, the concept is a

Feb. 8, 2017

Korea, Indonesia to open joint office for consultations on KF-X project

South Korea and Indonesia opened a joint office on Wednesday to carry out close consultations in the KF-X fighter aircraft development project, the state defense procurement agency said. "The opening of the joint program management office will not only help the two countries exchange views on pending issues during the KF-X project but also allow them to effectively fine-tune differences," Jung Kwang-sun, director general for the KF-X Program Group at the Defense Acquisition Program Administratio

Feb. 8, 2017

Military looks to big data to boost defense capabilities

South Korea's military will expand the use of big data this year in predicting enemy threats and bolstering its defense readiness, the defense ministry said Tuesday.Defense officials, venture firms and experts gathered at a seminar in Seoul to discuss ways to further utilize big data in beefing up the military's defense capabilities against North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats, according to theMinistry of National Defense.     "This year, we are planning to set up a system to analyz

Feb. 7, 2017

US, Japan successfully tests jointly developed interceptor missile

The United States and Japan have successfully carried out a missile interception test with a jointly developed interceptor missile, the US Missile Defense Agency said. The test took place off Hawaii early Saturday (Eastern Time), with the Aegis-equipped destroyer USS John Paul Jones shooting down a medium-range ballistic missile target with the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor missile, the agency said in a statement.The SM-3 Block IIA is being developed cooperatively by the United States and Japan to

Feb. 7, 2017

US approves sale of two sets of fighter jet missiles to Korea

The United States has approved a proposed sale to South Korea of two sets of advanced short-range missiles designed to arm fighter jets, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.South Korea had requested to buy 60 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II All-up-Round missiles, six guidance units and other associated support for $70 million. The country also asked to buy 89 AGM-65G-2 Maverick missiles, missile containers and other related elements for another $70 million, the agency said. F-16 fighter je

Feb. 7, 2017

US offered to deploy stealth destroyer in S. Korea: Seoul

The US has proposed deploying its largest stealthy destroyer in South Korea as the allies are exploring ways to better deter North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats, Seoul’s Defense Ministry said Monday.During a meeting with South Korean lawmakers last month in Hawaii, Adm. Harry Harris, commander of the US Pacific Command, floated the idea of the USS Zumwalt being stationed at Jeju Island or Jinhae, homes to South Korea‘s naval bases on the southern tip of the peninsula, ministry spok

Feb. 6, 2017

Mattis proposes around-the-clock communication with Korean defense minister

United States Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has proposed maintaining around-the-clock communication with South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo in a bid to tighten the countries' alliance further against North Korea, a military source said Sunday."Secretary Mattis suggested to Minister Han (they) communicate closely around the clock and all year round during their defense ministerial talks on Friday," the source said, referring to the defense chiefs' recent meeting in Seoul."Han responded that

Feb. 5, 2017

Allies agree to deploy THAAD this year

The defense chiefs of Seoul and Washington on Friday vowed to deploy an advanced US anti-missile system here as planned this year to better counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, dismissing the claims of China and Russia that it is directed at them. During their bilateral talks, South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his US counterpart James Mattis reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance, warning North Korea of an “overwhelming response” should it stage additional military

Feb. 3, 2017

Mattis vows to deploy THAAD ‘without a hitch’

US Defense Secretary James Mattis on Thursday reaffirmed plans to deploy its advanced missile defense system in South Korea this year “without a hitch,” singling out North Korea’s nuclear and missile program as a top priority for the new Donald Trump administration.   Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn (Right) shakes hands with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis at the Government Building in Seoul on Feb. 2, 2017. Mattis began his two-day visit to South Korea in his first oversea

Feb. 2, 2017

Mattis departs for Korea on first overseas trip aimed at reaffirming alliance

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis departed for South Korea on Wednesday in his highly symbolic first overseas trip designed to underscore the US security commitment to the Asian ally in the face of a saber-rattling North Korea.The trip, which also includes a stop in Japan later this week, comes as tensions are running high on the Korean Peninsula after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the country is close to test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile apparently capable of reaching the U

Feb. 2, 2017

Navy deploys Wildcat choppers amid N. Korea submarine threats

Two 'Wildcat' maritime helicopters stood ready to take off from the deck of the amphibious landing ship Dokdo, with a third one on standby on a frigate in a naval drill in South Korea's southern sea off Geoje Island on Wednesday morning.With scores of reporters watching from the 14,000-ton amphibious ship's bridge, the three AW-159 Wildcat choppers flew one by one to show how they work together with frigates or maritime patrol aircraft to detect and attack enemy submarines.During the drill, an A

Feb. 2, 2017

JCS chief calls for stationing of US strategic assets

South Korea’s military chief on Wednesday called for US strategic assets to be stationed here, saying the two allies needed to take “strong measures” against North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. During a 20-minute phone call, Lee Sun-jin, chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, made a request to his US counterpart, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford that Washington deploy strategic assets, including nuclear-capable bombers and aircraft carriers, on the Korean Peninsula this year. “

Feb. 1, 2017

US Air Force to deploy F-16 fighter jets to Korea this month

The United States plans to deploy 12 F-16 fighter planes to South Korea this month, the US Pacific Air Forces Command said Wednesday, Washington's first deployment of military assets since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump."Approximately 200 airmen and 12 F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 119th Fighter Squadron from Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, New Jersey, are set to deploy in February to Osan Air Base" in South Korea, the command said on its website.The US Pacific Air Forces

Feb. 1, 2017

Korea, US military chiefs vow strong deterrence to counter NK threats

The military chiefs of South Korea and the United States on Wednesday reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to forming a strong joint defense posture against North Korea's provocations, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.Gen. Lee Sun-jin, the chairman of the JCS, stressed the need to strengthen deterrence against North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats during his phone talks with his US counterpart Gen. Joseph Dunford, the military said."They determined that an acute security

Feb. 1, 2017

Allies’ defense chiefs reaffirm THAAD deployment as planned

The defense chiefs of South Korea and the US on Tuesday agreed to deploy an advanced US missile defense system this year as planned, despite persistent objections from China and rising political uncertainties here. During a 30-minute phone call, Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his US counterpart James Mattis also pledged an “overwhelming response” should North Korea commit a long-range missile test in line with leader Kim Jong-un’s New Year’s speech.The conversation came three days ahead of the

Jan. 31, 2017

Outgoing Constitutional Court chief insists on early ruling on Park impeachment

The outgoing chief of the Constitutional Court insisted Tuesday that the impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye should end as soon as possible in line with the wishes of the people.Park Han-chul made the remark during his retirement ceremony, ending a six-year term as a member of the nine-member bench, just days after he first raised the need to deliver a ruling by March 13, the retirement date of fellow Justice Lee Jung-mi. He voiced concern at the time that an additional vacancy on the b

Jan. 31, 2017