US flies surveillance aircraft near Korean Peninsula: aviation tracker

A US spy plane flew near the Korean Peninsula early Tuesday, an aviation tracker said, in what appeared to be an effort to monitor North Korea just days ahead of the US presidential election. The US Air Force's E-8C Joint Stars was spotted in skies above the Yellow Sea from late Monday to early Tuesday, No callsign tweeted. The same type of the aircraft was also seen carrying out operations Saturday night above the western waters. The flights came amid speculation the North could test its ne

Oct. 27, 2020

S. Korea begins procedures to develop technologies for light aircraft carrier

Military officials and defense researchers were to hold their first meeting Tuesday to develop core technologies necessary to build and deploy the country's first light aircraft carrier by 2033, the arms procurement agency said. The military has been pushing to secure the 40,000-ton light aircraft carrier to "proactively respond to threats from all directions," though some critics have raised questions about its cost-effectiveness. During Tuesday's meeting, military officials and res

Oct. 27, 2020

Conscientious objectors begin alternative service at Daejeon jail

The first group of conscientious objectors began their 36-month alternative service at a Daejeon jail on Monday, following a landmark court ruling two years ago that obliged the parliament to roll out such a program. South Korea conscripts all able-bodied men for about two years to maintain defense readiness against North Korea. A total of 63 objectors entered the correctional institution on Monday for three weeks of nonmilitary training. Upon completion of the program, they will be assigned t

Oct. 26, 2020

US pushing for flexible adjustment of troop levels overseas: defense ministry

The United States did not commit to maintaining its troop level in South Korea in a recent joint statement between their defense ministers because it is adjusting its overseas troop presence in a flexible manner, the defense ministry said Monday. The two countries issued a joint communique after annual talks between Defense Minister Suh Wook and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper earlier this month, but the statement did not include a usual US commitment to keep American troops at the current leve

Oct. 26, 2020

[Herald Interview] With KF-X, S. Korea eyes foothold in global fighter jet market

SACHEON, South Gyeongsang Province -- As South Korea gears up to reveal a prototype of its next-generation fighter jet in early 2021, Korea Aerospace Industries is pursuing a broader initiative to carve out its presence in the aerospace market, which is dominated by established players in Europe and the US. Mass production of the Korean fighter jet, known by the project name KF-X, is expected to begin as early as 2026. “From 2030 onwards, rival European jets will need replacement due to

Oct. 22, 2020

S. Korean, Canadian defense chiefs vow to boost security cooperation

The defense chiefs of South Korea and Canada discussed security situations on the Korean Peninsula and other issues Thursday, and vowed to continue to enhance cooperation against various security challenges, Seoul's defense ministry said. During the telephone talks, South Korea's Defense Minister Suh Wook and his Canadian counterpart, Harjit Singh Sajjan, shared the notion that non-traditional security threats, such as COVID-19, cannot be overcome by efforts by a single nation. "The two m

Oct. 22, 2020

Non-weapon materials brought into THAAD base after dispersal of protesters

The defense ministry on Thursday brought non-weapon materials and construction equipment onto a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) base in central South Korea after riot police dispersed protesters opposed to the deployment of the American anti-missile defense system. The shipments transported into the base for the THAAD system in the central town of Seongju, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, included daily necessities for base troops and construction equipment and materials to

Oct. 22, 2020

S. Korean, Chinese defense chiefs discuss security situation, vow to boost cooperation

The defense chiefs of South Korea and China discussed security situations on the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday and vowed to continue exchanges and cooperation, Seoul's defense ministry said. During the telephone talks, South Korea's Defense Minister Suh Wook explained recent security circumstances to his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe, and asked for Beijing to play a "constructive role" for peace and stability on the peninsula. Wei stressed the need to make joint efforts toward tha

Oct. 21, 2020

Alternative military service program for 'conscientious objectors' to begin Monday

The Ministry of Justice said Wednesday it will begin a program that allows replacing mandatory military service for other public services due to religious or personal beliefs. Under the program, 64 "conscientious objectors" will begin their 36 months of alternative service Monday at three correctional facilities, including one in Mokpo, 410 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the ministry. A second group of 42 men is set to go into service next month. After three weeks of job tra

Oct. 21, 2020

S. Korean, Australian military chiefs agree to beef up cooperation

Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Won In-choul held a video call with his Australian counterpart, Gen. Angus Campbell, on Wednesday and vowed to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries, the JCS said. During the talks held at the request of Campbell, the chief of Australia's Defense Force, the two military leaders discussed regional security issues, the coronavirus pandemic and ways to improve their bilateral relations, according to the JCS.  Won said Australia is

Oct. 21, 2020

S. Korea's 1st military training vessel delivered to Navy

The Navy has received the military's first vessel designed for training, the arms procurement agency said Wednesday, as the country pushes to enhance naval combat capabilities. The 4,500-ton Hansando is equipped with stealth functions and a computer-based training system to allow trainees to take part in simulated combat exercises, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. Previously, the Navy had to use warships temporarily for the education and training of its troops. The

Oct. 21, 2020

24 F-35A stealth fighters delivered to S. Korea

A total of 24 F-35A next-generation fighter jets have arrived in South Korea from the United States so far, the arms procurement agency said Tuesday, as Seoul pushes to enhance its operational capabilities against outside threats. South Korea began bringing in the advanced stealth fighters from March last year to beef up reconnaissance capabilities under a plan to deploy 40 units through next year. "We experienced some delay in the delivery due to the COVID-19 situation, but through Sout

Oct. 20, 2020

S. Korea, Philippines vow to beef up defense cooperation

Senior defense officials of South Korea and the Philippines met via video conference Monday and vowed to strengthen cooperation despite the new coronavirus situation, the defense ministry said. During the inaugural session of the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee between the two countries, Vice Defense Minister Park Jae-min and his Filipino counterpart Ricardo David discussed various security issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula, according to the m

Oct. 19, 2020

S. Korea to acquire suicide UAVs, advanced attack drones for future warfare

South Korea plans to acquire a dozen types of advanced military hardware, such as suicide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and gun-shooting drones, by next year to better brace for evolving future battle environments, the arms procurement agency said Monday. Under the second round of the "rapid acquisition" project worth 26 billion won ($22.75 million), the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) decided to buy 12 military items that employ state-of-the-art technologies, suc

Oct. 19, 2020

USFK to ease coronavirus restrictions in greater Seoul area

US Forces Korea (USFK) said Friday that it will ease anti-coronavirus restrictions for its personnel in the greater Seoul area in step with the South Korean government's recent lowering of its social distancing level following drops in new cases.  Last month, the US military lowered the Health Protection Condition (HPCON) level by one notch to the second-lowest level of "Bravo" from "Charlie," except for Area II defined as the greater Seoul area, including the western c

Oct. 16, 2020

Chinese warships' activities up near Korean Peninsula: lawmaker

Activities by Chinese warships in waters near the Korean Peninsula have increased in recent years, military data showed Friday. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff data released by Rep. Kim Min-ki of the ruling Democratic Party, Chinese war vessels crossed the tentative median line in South Korea's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around 290 times last year. An EEZ is a sea zone that a country has special rights over regarding the exploration and use of marine resources. It stretches out to 2

Oct. 16, 2020

Army to observe US-led multinational space exercise

The Army said Friday it will observe an annual US-led multinational exercise focused on space operations as part of efforts to boost its space defense capabilities. In a parliamentary audit report, the Army said it will join the Global Thunder exercise expected to be held next month as an observer. Global Thunder, led by the US Strategic Command, is an annual command and control exercise that provides training opportunities to assess the command's mission areas with a specific focus on nuclear

Oct. 16, 2020

USFK informs S. Korean employees of potential furlough

US Forces Korea (USFK) said Friday it has informed its South Korean employees of a potential furlough amid little progress in negotiations between Seoul and Washington over how to share the burden for the upkeep of American troops stationed here. On Oct. 5, USFK sent the notice to its Korean Employees Union and Seoul's labor ministry about a furlough that could possibly occur in April next year in case the two allies fail to reach an agreement on their defense cost-sharing deal, it said. The n

Oct. 16, 2020

US unit arrives in S. Korea for rotational deployment

Soldiers and equipment of a US armored brigade combat team have started to arrive in South Korea for a rotational deployment, the US military said Thursday. Tracked vehicles and other equipment of the Raider Brigade, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division, began arriving in the southeastern city of Busan from Fort Stewart, Georgia, according to the Eighth Army. The arriving brigade is replacing the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division on a nine-mon

Oct. 15, 2020

Seoul, Washington differ over OPCON transfer, defense cost-sharing

South Korea and the US appeared to differ over whether Seoul is ready to take over wartime operational control from Washington, casting a shadow over President Moon Jae-in’s push to regain military sovereignty by 2022. 　 The defense chiefs of the two allies held the Security Consultative Meeting in Washington on Wednesday (local time), discussing a range of issues, including the handover of wartime control, the stalled talks on defense cost-sharing and the North Korea situation. 　 At th

Oct. 15, 2020