Army holds first official retirement ceremony for four-legged troops

From saluting the national flag to congratulatory messages from comrades, a touching ceremony held at an Army barracks last month was much the same as any other event marking the retirement of soldiers from active duty.There was one difference, though: Those being honored were military working dogs.After successfully completing missions in field units for about eight years, three veteran canine officers -- German shepherds Dansoo and Gado and Belgian Malinois Moogong -- took to the stage at the

Sept. 15, 2019

NSC voices 'strong concern' about N. Korea's projectile launch

South Korea's National Security Council expressed "strong concern" Tuesday about North Korea's latest launch of projectiles.The NSC standing committee convened an emergency videoconferencing session, presided over by Chung Eui-yong, chief of the presidential national security office.Its members "expressed strong concern that North Korea is continuing the launch of short-range projectiles since May," Cheong Wa Dae said. They also reviewed the overall security conditions on the

Sept. 10, 2019

Govt. opens support center for potential military victims of humidifier disinfectants

The defense ministry said Monday it opened a support center for potential victims of controversial humidifier disinfectants blamed for a number of deaths, following revelations that the products were also widely used in barracks.Last month, the state-funded Special Commission on Social Disaster Investigation reported that the problematic products were used in the military. The defense ministry later confirmed that 15 military units across the country used the controversial products for years unt

Sept. 9, 2019

S. Korea mulling PR event to mark introduction of F-35s next month

South Korea is considering holding a PR event to mark the introduction of F-35A stealth fighters into the country as part of next month's Armed Forces Day ceremonies, officials said Saturday.South Korea has so far brought in eight F-35As, beginning with two in late March, under a plan to deploy a total of 40 fifth-generation jets through 2021. But the military has dealt with the introduction in a low-key manner, sparking speculation the government is concerned about objections from North Korea.

Sept. 7, 2019

USFK chief stresses strong Korea-US alliance amid speculations of rift

United States Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams emphasized the importance of the two countries’ alliance on Thursday amid speculation of a possible rift following Seoul’s decision to end a military information-sharing pact with Japan.“It is a repeated, demonstrated commitment to defend one another from the threats that face our countries. We could not and cannot do that alone,” Abrams said during the banquet as part of the Seoul Defense Dialogue underway in Seoul.

Sept. 5, 2019

Defense chief vows to work with patience on N. Korea, urges cooperation of neighboring countries

South Korea’s Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said Thursday the nation would continue to work with patience to build trust with North Korea for lasting peace, urging multilateral cooperation.Speaking at the 2019 Seoul Defense Dialogue, he appeared to touch on the recent feud with Japan, raising concerns that the competition between countries is intensifying due to their own national interests. The SDD is an annual multilateral consultative forum hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of

Sept. 5, 2019

Defense chief vows strong military power to ensure peace

Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo pledged Thursday to build strong military capabilities to back the government's efforts to achieve peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and beyond."Despite last year's achievements for peace on the Korean Peninsula, many challenges still lie ahead, such as military tensions heightened by North Korea's recent firings of short-range ballistic missiles," Jeong said during an opening address at the eighth Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD).Stressing that

Sept. 5, 2019

S. Korea opens annual int'l security forum to discuss 'challenges, vision for peace'

An annual international security forum hosted by South Korea's defense ministry kicked off in Seoul on Wednesday for discussions on situations on the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding region, as well as peacekeeping operations and cybersecurity.The eighth vice-ministerial Seoul Defense Dialogue, set to run for three days until Friday, brought together hundreds of officials and experts from around 50 countries and two international organizations, including the United Nations, according to the

Sept. 4, 2019

US says it respects S. Korea's decision to expedite return of bases

The United States respects South Korea's decision to seek an early return of more than two dozen American military bases in the country and will work with its ally to get the bases returned "as expeditiously as possible," US Forces Korea said Tuesday.South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae announced the decision last week, saying the move is in line with the relocation of all US bases to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul. "We are aware of the ROK g

Sept. 4, 2019

US tests THAAD interception of missiles amid N. Korea’s launches

The United States successfully tested the capability of its anti-missile system, called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles in an apparent move to keep North Korea in check. The test was carried out from the US Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on Friday, according to the US Missile Defense Agency. “Preliminary indications are that planned flight test objectives were achieved and the target was successfully i

Sept. 3, 2019

USFK commander to attend Seoul defense dialogue

US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams is set to attend a three-day annual multilateral security forum in Seoul that kicks off Wednesday, officials said Tuesday, dispelling concerns about South Korea-US relations. Abrams, who is also commander of the Combined Forces Command, will be the highest-ranking US official to attend the eighth edition of the Seoul Defense Dialogue. The US had earlier declined the South Korean Defense Ministry’s request for the attendance of an assistant

Sept. 3, 2019

US also positive on prompt return of military bases in S. Korea: Seoul ministry

South Korea's push for a prompt return of American military bases in the country has long been discussed between the allies and the US is also positive on the move, the defense ministry said Tuesday, guarding against any political interpretation of the issue. Last week, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae vowed to push for a prompt return of 26 US Forces Korea (USFK) bases across the country, sparking speculation that it may signal a possible rift in the alliance following Seoul's decision to

Sept. 3, 2019

Navy holds int'l forum on maritime security cooperation

The Navy hosted an international security forum on Tuesday, with hundreds of experts and naval officers exploring ways to boost maritime cooperation in Asia and beyond.Around 300 government and military officials and experts from more than 25 countries gathered at the 14th International Seapower Symposium to discuss the theme of "Enhancing maritime security cooperation for peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific." During the two sessions, the participants will assess the evolving mari

Sept. 3, 2019

Combined Forces Command to move to Pyeongtaek by 2021

South Korea and the US seek to relocate their Combined Forces Command headquarters by the end of 2021 from Seoul to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, ahead of the envisioned transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul, according to Defense Ministry officials Sunday.The tentative timeline was set by the allies following a meeting between Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and then acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan in Seoul in June when they agreed to move the CFC headq

Sept. 1, 2019

USFK to close Yongsan Garrison within this year

The US Forces Korea will end all services at a major military base in the heart of Seoul within this year to prepare the return of the land to the South Korean government, military officials said Saturday. The US military has been moving its bases from around the country to a refurbished garrison in Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, since 2017. While the USFK headquarters and the Eighth Army have moved to the new headquarters, called Camp Humphreys, the US military has been preparin

Aug. 31, 2019

In NSC session, Cheong Wa Dae decides to seek early return of USFK bases

Cheong Wa Dae said Friday it will redouble efforts for the early return of more than two dozen US Forces Korea bases.It was briefing media on the results of a weekly meeting of the National Security Council's standing committee.The USFK has been moving its bases nationwide mainly to a refurbished garrison in Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul. It's named Camp Humphreys.The process of South Korea regaining the sites of the affected bases has been going slowly, however, partly due to ha

Aug. 30, 2019

[Newsmaker] Defense Ministry says Korea-US alliance remains strong

Seoul’s Defense Ministry maintained Thursday that it was closely working with the United States, following the remarks by US defense leaders expressing disappointment over South Korea’s decision to withdraw from an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan.The United States has been vocally critical of South Korea’s decision to terminate the General Security of Military Information Agreement with Japan. “As we have told you before, defense minister and the US Secretary of

Aug. 29, 2019

US flies spy plane over Seoul

A US reconnaissance plane flew over Seoul and surrounding regions Thursday, an aviation tracker said, on an apparent mission to collect intelligence regarding North Korea.The plane, believed to be an RC-135V, was detected in the skies above South Korea's capital city and Gyeonggi Province, Aircraft Spots posted on Twitter. The flight came amid concern the North could continue to conduct missile or rocket launches despite the conclusion of a combined military exercise between Seoul and Washington

Aug. 29, 2019

S. Korea seeks to increase defense budget 7.4% next year

South Korea is seeking a 7.4 percent increase in its defense budget for next year, as it strives to strengthen self-defense capabilities amid growing security uncertainties, the defense ministry said Thursday.The government has proposed a budget of 50.15 trillion won ($41.29 billion) for next year, up from this year's 46.7 trillion won. If approved, it will be the first time that the country's defense budget surpasses the 50 trillion-won mark. Of the total, the ministry plans to spend 16.69 tril

Aug. 29, 2019

[Feature] S. Korea faces prospect Trump may be seeking 'alliance fee'

South Korea already faces a turbulent security situation, with North Korea firing off missiles and relations with Japan at its lowest point. Now, the South’s closest ally is pressuring the government to pay more money for its troops stationed here. Ever since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a cease-fire, the United States has maintained troops in South Korea to defend its ally and to keep China and Russia in check.With negotiations on cost-sharing for US troops here set to begin next month

Aug. 27, 2019