Korea, U.S. to launch task force on THAAD

South Korea and the United States will launch a task force later this month to discuss the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system in the South, officials said Wednesday. The allies have begun formal discussions on the placement of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in South Korea to deter North Korean aggressions in the wake of its long-range rocket launch Sunday.The joint task force will handle the details of the discussions, including the location and cost of the THAAD

Feb. 10, 2016

Russia expresses concern to Korean envoy over THAAD decision

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday expressed concerns to South Korea's ambassador over Seoul's decision to begin formal consultations on bringing in the U.S. THAAD missile defense system to the country to defend against North Korean threats.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov conveyed the concern during a meeting with Amb. Park Ro-byug, the ministry said.Shortly after North Korea's missile launch on Sunday, South Korea and the U.S. jointly announced they would begin official discussi

Feb. 10, 2016

S. Korea dismisses report on Seoul-Tokyo military intel pact

South Korea said Monday that gaining the public's support is a prerequisite for Seoul to review whether to seek a pact on sharing military intelligence with Japan.Japan's Kyodo News reported Sunday that South Korea and Japan seem to hold the view that conditions are ripe for deepening military cooperation, saying that Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Seoul is mulling reviewing whether to clinch a Seoul-Tokyo pact on sharing military intelligence.In 2012, the two nations initialed such a pact to

Feb. 8, 2016

Journalist insists on nuclear armament of S. Korea, Japan for self defense

A right-wing South Korean journalist insisted on Friday that South Korea and Japan push for their own nuclear armament for protection from North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.In a contribution to the conservative Japanese daily Sankei Shimbun, Cho Gab-je said that the two countries should be nuclear-armed for legitimate self-defense as long as a neighboring enemy is armed with atomic bombs. Cho, former president of Monthly Chosun, said nuclear armament is a very natural option for the sove

Feb. 5, 2016

Korean, U.S. special forces conduct joint exercise

United States' special forces units have arrived in South Korea for a joint military drill with South Korean troops as the allies ramp up combined readiness on the prospect of North Korea's imminent long-range missile launch, the two countries' militaries said Thursday.The U.S. special operational forces, including those from the airborne 1st Special Forces Group and the 75th Ranger Regiment, came here to train with South Korea's Special Warfare Command and to increase joint special operations r

Feb. 4, 2016

Two Chinese military jets intruded into Korea's air defense

Two Chinese military planes recently entered the overlapping air defense identification zone of South Korea and China, prompting South Korea to ready a sortie of fighter jets, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday.The Chinese jets entered the zone near Jeju Island on Sunday and flew out of it after South Korea sent a warning message, according to JCS spokesman Jeon Ha-kyu."We took necessary surveillance and tactical measures adequately," he said.The ministry put fighter jets on standby in case

Feb. 2, 2016

Park orders Cabinet to strengthen security at Korea's main airport

President Park Geun-hye instructed Cabinet officials on Tuesday to beef up security at South Korea's main airport to ensure that safety breaches do not recur."Concerns have been raised about the security system in Incheon International Airport at a time when there is a growing terror threat," Park said in a Cabinet meeting, referring to a warning message found at the airport last week. The message, printed in Arabic on half an A4-size sheet of paper, read: "This is the last warning to you. God w

Feb. 2, 2016

Ruling party chief calls for deployment of THAAD

The ruling party chief said Monday that South Korea should push for the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, citing the threats posed by North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.Kim Moo-sung, chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party said, it's high time for South Korea to have a forward-looking and aggressive stance on the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery."We should not passively react to North Korea's nuclear issue," Kim said in a meeting with party of

Feb. 1, 2016

Korea awards medal to outgoing commander of U.S. 8th Army

The outgoing commanding general of the United States' Eighth Army stationed in South Korea was awarded an order of merit Monday for his contributions to national security, the Defense Ministry said.South Korea's Defense Minister Han Min-koo conferred the Gukseon Medal upon Lt. Gen. Bernard Champoux, the second highest of the five-level Order of National Merit, according to the ministry. "Since taking office as the commander of the U.S. Eighth Army in June 2013, he has greatly contributed to safe

Feb. 1, 2016

THAAD deployment up to 'alliance decision': U.S. Pacific commander

Whether to deploy the U.S. THAAD missile defense system to South Korea to better defend against the North is "an alliance decision" that should be taken jointly by the two allies, the U.S. Pacific commander said.Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. made the remark in an interview with Yonhap News Agency, stressing that even though he personally supports the idea of putting a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense unit in the South, such a deployment won't be a unilateral decision."I believe the decision to put

Jan. 31, 2016

THAAD deployment will be helpful for national defense: Seoul

Deployment of the United States' advanced missile defense system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, in South Korea will be helpful in defending the country from North Korean threats, but the country has no plans to announce any decision on the matter in the near future, a defense official said Friday."Our government will consider every measure to prepare against North Korea's missile threats," the Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said."If U.S. Forces Korea deploys THAAD, it will he

Jan. 29, 2016

Asia's largest drone show kicks off in Busan

Asia's largest drone festival opened on Thursday in Busan for a three-day run to show a variety of drones ranging from light unmanned aerial vehicles to toy drones.Some 56 companies from four countries participated in Drone Show Korea 2016, the largest of its scale in Asia and the first such event being held in South Korea.The exhibition now being held at BEXCO exhibition center in this southern port city features fixed-wing drones that look like airplanes and other UAVs for public and civilian

Jan. 28, 2016

Korea, U.S. team up for joint Air Force exercise

Fighter pilots from South Korea and the United States have been conducting a four-day joint air drill aimed at better countering North Korea's provocations, South Korean Air Force said Thursday.The "Buddy Wing 16-1" training exercises, which kicked off on Tuesday, will run through Friday at an air base in Seosan, about 280 kilometers south of Seoul, according to South Korean Air Force.The joint air drill involves four F-16CM fighter planes from the 51st Fighter Wing of the U.S. Air Force and 14

Jan. 28, 2016

5 Chinese fishermen rescued from capsized boat

Five Chinese fishermen have been rescued from their boat that capsized in the waters off South Korea's southwestern coast Wednesday, while five others remain trapped, the coast guard said.Four fishermen were picked up by another nearby Chinese fishing boat about 85 kilometers northwest of Gageo Island.The coast guard said it rescued a fifth fisherman, though he is unconscious. Five others remain trapped inside the capsized boat.The accident occurred around 10:35 a.m. when the doomed boat started

Jan. 27, 2016