Top US negotiator in defense cost-sharing talks arrives in S. Korea

The top US negotiator in defense cost-sharing talks with South Korea arrived in Seoul on Sunday for a fresh round of negotiations this week over the sharing of the cost for the upkeep of American troops here, with the two sides still being far apart. Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport earlier in the day, James DeHart of the US State Department did not answer reporters' questions, such as his prospect of progress in the Special Measures Agreement that stipulates the allies' sharing of

Dec. 15, 2019

S. Korea to officially deploy F-35A stealth fighters next week

South Korea will mark the operational deployment of F-35A stealth fighters in a ceremony to be held behind closed doors next week, the Air Force said Friday, amid heightened tensions with North Korea.South Korea has so far brought in 13 F-35As, beginning with two in late March, under a plan to deploy 40 fifth-generation jets through 2021. North Korea has strongly bristled at the introduction of the state-of-the-art fighters as a sign of hostility."We are scheduled to hold the ceremony on Tu

Dec. 13, 2019

US again flies surveillance aircraft over S. Korea: aviation tracker

The United States flew a naval patrol aircraft over the Korean Peninsula, an aviation tracker said Friday, amid heightened tensions due to concerns North Korea could launch a long-range rocket. The US Navy's P-3C maritime surveillance plane "conducted a mission over the Korean Peninsula earlier," Aircraft Spots said on its Twitter account without specifying the exact time of the operation. It also did not upload photos showing the flight route.Recently, the US has deployed its spy plan

Dec. 13, 2019

US again sends surveillance plane over S. Korea: aviation tracker

The United States flew a surveillance plane over the Korean Peninsula, an aviation tracker said Thursday, the latest in a series of near-daily flights to monitor North Korea amid growing concerns Pyongyang could test-fire a long-range missile.The E-8C aircraft, or JSTARS, was spotted over the Korean Peninsula at 29,000 feet, Aircraft Spots said on its Twitter account without specifying the exact time of the operation. It also did not upload photos showing the flight route.As a platform for airbo

Dec. 12, 2019

South Korea, US finalize return of 4 military sites, kick off return of Yongsan base

South Korea and the US have finalized the return of four US military sites here and will start the return process for Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul, the government said Wednesday.In a joint ministry briefing, the government announced that the US handed over control of the four sites previously used by US Forces Korea: Camps Eagle and Long in Wonju, Gangwon Province; parcels of Camp Market in Bupyeong, Incheon; and the Shea Range parcel located at Camp Hovey in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Dec. 11, 2019

US flies another reconnaissance plane amid tensions with N. Korea: aviation tracker

The United States again flew a surveillance aircraft over the Korean Peninsula, an aviation tracker said Wednesday, the latest in a series of flights to monitor North Korea amid growing concern Pyongyang may be preparing for a long-range rocket launch.The RQ-4 Global Hawk was spotted over the Korean Peninsula at 52,000 feet, Aircraft Spots said on its Twitter account without specifying the exact time of the operation. Global Hawk is a high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle capable

Dec. 11, 2019

S. Korea's 2020 defense budget rises 7.4% to over 50tr won

South Korea raised its defense budget by 7.4 percent for next year as it strives to strengthen self-defense capabilities amid growing security uncertainties, officials said Tuesday.According to the budget plan approved by the National Assembly the previous day, military spending for 2020 was set at 50.15 trillion won ($41.29 billion), up from this year's 46.7 trillion won. It is the first time the country's defense budget has surpassed the 50 trillion-won mark.The approved amount is the same as

Dec. 11, 2019

Defense minister confirms North conducted rocket engine test

South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo confirmed Tuesday that the “very important test” North Korea claimed to have conducted at its satellite launch site over the weekend was a rocket engine test, and urged the communist regime to stop raising military tension. Jeong made the remarks during a joint meeting with his Australian counterpart, Linda Reynolds, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her counterpart, Marise Payne.  North Korea said it performed a “very impor

Dec. 10, 2019

US sends another surveillance plane over S. Korea: aviation tracker

The United States again flew a surveillance aircraft over the Korean Peninsula, an aviation tracker said Tuesday, the latest in a series of flights to monitor North Korea amid growing concern Pyongyang may be gearing up for a long-range rocket launch. The E-8C aircraft, or JSTARS, was spotted over the Korean Peninsula at 33,000 feet, Aircraft Spots said on its Twitter account without specifying the exact time of the operation. It also did not upload photos showing the flight route.As a platform

Dec. 10, 2019

US flies spy plane over S. Korea's capital areas: aviation tracker

The United States flew a surveillance plane over South Korea's capital areas, an aviation tracker said Monday, amid heightened tensions in the wake of North Korea's announcement it conducted a "very important test" at its satellite launch site.The US RC-135W Rivet Joint was spotted flying over the Korean Peninsula at 31,000 feet, Aircraft Spots said on its Twitter account without specifying the exact time of the operation.The latest flight came after North Korea said it carried out &qu

Dec. 9, 2019

US flies more surveillance planes over Korean Peninsula: aviation tracker

The United States flew two more surveillance aircraft around the Korean Peninsula, an aviation tracker said Friday, on apparent missions to monitor North Korea amid concerns over Pyongyang's additional missile tests.The US Air Force's RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft was spotted flying over the East Sea at 31,000 feet, Aircraft Spots said on its Twitter account, without providing further details.As one of America's major intelligence-gathering assets, the aircraft collects data related to missile lau

Dec. 6, 2019

Defense cost-sharing talks fail to yield concrete result amid US demand for hefty rise: Seoul negotiator

South Korea's top negotiator in defense cost-sharing talks with the United States has said the allies have failed to produce a concrete result in this week's negotiations as Washington's demand for a sharp increase in Seoul's share remains unchanged.Jeong Eun-bo made the remarks Thursday following the fourth round of talks in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday over how to share the cost of stationing the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea under the cost-sharing accord, called the Special Measures Ag

Dec. 6, 2019

[Newsmaker] 2 military intelligence officers investigated for alleged rape of N. Korean defector

Two Defense Intelligence Command officers are being investigated by the military prosecution for allegedly raping a North Korean defector multiple times, the Defense Ministry confirmed Thursday. The North Korean defector brought charges against a first sergeant surnamed Kim and a lieutenant colonel surnamed Sung, both working for the DIC, for repeated offences that took place over a period of more than a year.  The Defense Ministry’s Criminal Investigation Command in late November ref

Dec. 5, 2019

S. Korea scraps conscription privilege for men from multicultural families

The government has abolished a regulation allowing men of multicultural backgrounds to serve their mandatory military service in the same unit with friends or relatives, citing low demand and its discriminative nature.The change has been reflected in the revised regulations on the recruitment of active duty soldiers, taking effect this month, the Military Manpower Administration said in a release. South Korea adopted the system in 2011, by which two or three men could be conscripted in a gr

Dec. 5, 2019

US JCS official unaware of discussion of troop drawdown in S. Korea

WASHINGTON -- A US Joint Chiefs of Staff official said Wednesday that he is not aware of any discussion inside the Pentagon of a possible drawdown of American troops in South Korea.Speculation of a possible reduction of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea has grown in recent weeks amid tough negotiations on how the allies will share the costs for the troops' upkeep.US President Donald Trump added to the uncertainty on Tuesday when he told reporters in London that the benefit of continuing the US m

Dec. 5, 2019

S. Korea decides to push in earnest for development for indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile

South Korea decided Wednesday to push in earnest for the development of a home-grown long-range surface-to-air missile after years of research into the project, the arms procurement agency said.South Korea has been working to develop the long-range ground-based interceptor since 2014 as part of efforts to beef up its air defense capabilities in the face of persistent threats from North Korea. As a key element of the Korea Air and Missile Defense, the interceptor is designed to shoot down ballist

Dec. 4, 2019

US flies surveillance plane over S. Korea: aviation tracker

The United States flew a naval surveillance aircraft over the Korean Peninsula, an aviation tracker said Wednesday, the latest in a series of flights of its aircraft to monitor North Korea amid concern over the North's military moves.The US navy's P-3C maritime surveillance plane was spotted flying over the Korean Peninsula at 22,000 feet, Aircraft Spots said on its Twitter account without specifying the exact time of the operation. It also did not upload photos showing the flight route. Accordi

Dec. 4, 2019

US cyber commander in Seoul for ‘important, timely’ discussion

Paul Nakasone, US director of the National Security Agency, has arrived in South Korea to discuss the two countries’ alliance and cyber cooperation, government officials here confirmed Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, Nakasone, who is also the commander of the US Cyber Command, met with Chun Jung-soo, commander for Korea’s Cyber Operations Command, to discuss reinforcing cooperation in the area of cybersecurity, a military official said. Earlier in the day, US Ambassador to South Korea H

Dec. 3, 2019

US flies another spy plane over S. Korea: aviation tracker

A US reconnaissance aircraft again flew over the Korean Peninsula, an aviation tracker said Tuesday, the latest in a series of near-daily flights to monitor North Korea amid concern Pyongyang could undertake additional provocations after last week's rocket firings.The plane, believed to be an E-8C nicknamed JSTARS, was spotted in skies above the peninsula, Aircraft Spots said on its Twitter account without specifying the exact time of the operation. It also did not upload a related photo showing

Dec. 3, 2019

[Herald Interview] ‘We will support conscientious objectors in fulfilling alternative service’

Ki Chan-soo, the commissioner for the Military Manpower Administration, vowed support for conscientious objectors, highlighting the MMA’s change of role with the upcoming introduction of an alternative form of service.The chief of the military recruitment agency also asserted that a corruption-free draft system must be maintained, touching on the controversies surrounding the enlistment of K-pop stars and celebrities, such as Big Bang’s Seungri and the members of boy group BTS.&ldquo

Dec. 2, 2019