South Korea to resume deploying K-11 rifle

South Korea’s weapons procurement agency plans to resume deploying a new airburst assault rifle in November after fixing technical problems with its fire control system and laser range-finder, officials said Monday.The K-11 dual-caliber rifle has been issued to the Army since June last year, making it the world’s first military to use an airburst rifle as a standard issue. However, problems with t

March 7, 2011

Lee says S.Korean troops expanding role in global peace

President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that South Korea's military is diversifying its role and mission, from deterring war on the Korean Peninsula to peacekeeping, recovery and rescue work abroad."Our troops are emerging as a military that contributes to the world's peace beyond the protection of its fatherland and peace on the Korean Peninsula," Lee said in his biweekly radio address.He pointed out

March 7, 2011

Rocket propelled grenades fall near Korea's Afghan base

Two rounds of rocket propelled grenades fell near the base for South Korean aid workers in Afghanistan Friday, but there were no casualties, a government source said.The grenades exploded on a road outside the base in the city of Charika in northern Afghanistan around 1 a.m. (Korean time), but it was not clear whether the attack targeted the base, the source said. (Yonhap news)아프간 한국기지주변에 로켓포탄 2발 떨어져 아프간 PRT기지 외곽에 로켓포탄 2발 떨어져  아프가니스탄 내 한국 지방재건팀(PRT)의 차리카 기지 외곽에 4일(한국시간) 휴대용 로켓포탄(RPG) 2발이 떨어

March 4, 2011

Defense Ministry scraps plan to create ‘Joint Forces Command’

The Defense Ministry decided to scrap a plan to create a top military command structure intended to enhance interoperability of its armed forces because of a constitutional challenge and resistance from the Navy and Air Force, officials said Thursday. South Korea had planned to establish the so-called “Joint Forces Command” amid calls to improve interoperability among the three wings of the milita

March 3, 2011

Seoul officials probed over inter-Korean defense talks leaks

South Korean officials who had been involved in the inter-Korean defense talks last month were recently investigated for allegedly leaking too much information to the media and thereby offending the North Korean delegation, a source here said Tuesday. The government investigation into about 30 officials belonging to the defense and unification ministries here appears to have been conducted to prev

March 1, 2011

S. Korea's defense minister tells troops to act fast if provoked

South Korea's defense minister instructed his troops on Tuesday not to hesitate to act immediately if they are attacked by North Korea, as he toured the western inter-Korean border wrought with tension after Pyongyang threatened to fire if provoked."During an operation, don't ask whether to shoot or not. Report after taking action first," Kim Kwan-jin said during his visit to the First Army Corps,

March 1, 2011

S. Korea, U.S. begin joint military drills

Allies defy latest retaliation threats from North KoreaSouth Korea and the U.S. began annual joint military drills Monday to enhance readiness for any additional provocations by North Korea and a possible all-out war with the communist state.The nationwide Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises started as the North hardened its bellicose rhetoric against the allies, warning of a “ruthless” military

Feb. 28, 2011

Think tank estimates unification cost for Koreas at $2.14 tln

   SEOUL -- The unification cost on the Korean Peninsula in the wake of a sudden collapse of the North Korean regime is estimated to reach an astronomical 2,525 trillion won (about $2.14 trillion), a state-run think tank said Sunday.   Nam Sung-wook, director of the Institute for National Security Strategy, made the estimate in a report to be presented to a unification policy public hearing, which

Feb. 27, 2011

S. Korean, U.S. marines to hold joint drill on West Sea islands

South Korean and U.S. marines plan to hold a joint maneuver this year on islands near the West Sea border with North Korea as the allies expand combined exercises to deter provocations from the North, a military official here said Tuesday.The planned drill would be the first of its kind involving marines from the two nations on the West Sea islands, one of which was targeted by a deadly North Kore

Feb. 22, 2011

North Korean special unit adds light infantry troops

The North, with its 1.19 million-strong military, boasts the world’s greatest number of special forces soldiers. According to Seoul’s defense whitepaper, the number increased to around 200,000 last year from some 120,000 in 2006 and 180,000 in 2008.The North has been bolstering its special troops as it apparently believes it can effectively defeat its potential enemies ― South Korea and the U.S. ―

Feb. 22, 2011

U.S. maritime alliance with S. Korea becomes stronger

  The commander of the United States Navy's largest forward deployed fleet said Monday the U.S. maritime alliance with South Korea has become stronger following North Korea's recent provocations.   "The improvements in (the fleet's) capability have been made even stronger by a deepening of our alliances and partnerships around the region," Vice Admiral Scott Van Buskirk, who visited Hong Kong this

Feb. 21, 2011

Military commissioning ceremonies merged

A joint commissioning ceremony for all Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps cadets will be held to avoid a “leadership vacuum” while top military officers attend what have previously been separate academy events.The Ministry of National Defense will hold the joint ceremony in the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in South Chungcheong Province in early March, officials said Wednesday.It will be t

Feb. 9, 2011