Only one-third of U.S. soldiers to remain at Yongsan Garrison: official

The number of American soldiers at the main U.S. military base in central Seoul is expected to be reduced by two-thirds to around 200 despite a postponement in the transfer of a major military authority, a South Korean defense ministry official said Sunday.South Korea and the United States agreed Thursday to delay again a plan to give Seoul wartime control of its troops. In accordance with the agreement, several facilities, such as the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) headquarters

Oct. 26, 2014

Kerry: 'Entirely premature' to talk about U.S. troop reduction in S. Korea

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday it is "entirely premature" to talk about any reduction in American troop levels in South Korea as a possible benefit of North Korea's abandonment of its nuclear program.Kerry made his most recent remarks at a joint news conference with his South Korean counterpart, Yun Byung-se, tamping down speculation that arose after he said earlier this week that the U.S. is "prepared to begin the process of reducing the need for American force and presence in t

Oct. 25, 2014

S. Korea has firm will to retake wartime command from U.S.: Seoul minister

South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Thursday his country has a firm willingness to reassume wartime command of its troops from the United States, vowing efforts to become capable of effectively countering North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.Han made the remarks after holding the annual security meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Chuck Hagel, during which the allies agreed to delay the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), with no new date set.It has sparked suspicion

Oct. 24, 2014

Navy launches new frigate Chungbuk

The Navy launched Thursday a new frigate named Chungbuk as it continues to churn out next-generation escort Navy ships.Jung Ho-sup, vice chief of naval operations, and other Navy officials joined the ceremony marking the launch of the 2,300-ton frigate, held at STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. in Changwon, a city in the south of the country.The new frigate is the fifth addition as part of the Navy's project to build next-generation escort ships, following the first named Incheon, launched in 2011

Oct. 23, 2014

Senior Army officer arrested for sexual assault

An Army lieutenant colonel was arrested Wednesday on charges of sexually assaulting and harassing a female officer on several occasions, the Army said Wednesday.The 48-year-old lieutenant colonel, whose name was withheld to the media, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the female officer in a motel in September after they drank alcohol together. He is also purported to have sexually harassed her in his office and car several times.“Currently, we are safely protecting the victim and will do ou

Oct. 22, 2014

Korean defense chief embarks on trip to U.S. for OPCON talks

South Korea’s defense chief left for the United States on Wednesday for talks with his U.S. counterpart to finalize the time frame and conditions for Seoul’s takeover of wartime command from Washington, the defense ministry said Monday.During his three-day trip, Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo will meet U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in Washington on Thursday (Washington time) for the 46th Security Consultative Meeting, the allies’ annual defense chiefs’ talks.High on the agenda

Oct. 22, 2014

S. Korean defense chief embarks on trip to U.S. for OPCON talks

South Korea's defense chief left for the United States on Wednesday for talks with his U.S. counterpart to finalize the time frame and conditions for Seoul's takeover of wartime command from Washington, the defense ministry said Monday.During his three-day trip, Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo will meet U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in Washington on Thursday (Washington time) for the 46th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), the allies' annual defense chiefs' talks.High on the a

Oct. 22, 2014

S. Korea to deploy low-altitude radar system amid N. Korean drone threat

South Korea will deploy a low-altitude radar system late this year to guard the country against low-elevation military penetrations such as North Korean drones, defense officials said Tuesday.Starting at the end of this year, the military will deploy three-dimension low-altitude radars, developed by local defense firm LIG Nex 1, for actual combat position, according to the officials.These local radars are specialized in detecting and tracking aircrafts flying at low altitudes such as AN-2, a wid

Oct. 21, 2014

Seoul to host regional security forum next week

South Korea plans to hold a regional security forum next week that will be attended by China for the first time, the defense ministry here said Tuesday.The 3rd Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) will be held for a three-day run from Oct. 29 at a hotel in Seoul, bringing together vice defense ministers and security experts from 26 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the Ministry of National Defense said. In the forum, the officials will discuss ways to tighten trust among Asian-Pacific nations' milit

Oct. 21, 2014

S. Korean foreign, defense chiefs to leave for U.S. for security talks

South Korea's foreign and defense ministers plan to leave for the United States this week to attend a security meeting with their counterparts from Washington slated for later this week, officials said Tuesday.Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Defense Minister Han Min-koo will fly to the U.S. on Wednesday to hold a so-called "two plus two" meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel Thursday afternoon (Washington Time) in the U.S. capital, according to go

Oct. 21, 2014

Navy pushes to allow women to serve on submarine

The Navy said Wednesday it is pushing to bring female officers on the nation's next-generation submarine as part of efforts to give equal opportunity for a growing number of female servicemembers."We are planning to allow female officers to serve on the next-generation 3,000-ton submarine set to be put into operation in around 2020," said a Navy lieutenant commander, asking for anonymity. "We are to select new talent starting 2017 and train them to serve duty."The submarine now under constructio

Oct. 15, 2014

Air Force mulls buying additional early warning aircraft

South Korea is seeking to buy two more early warning planes to step up its aerial surveillance capabilities over its expanded air defense identification zone, the Air Force said Wednesday.The South Korean Air Force has operated four Boeing 737-based Peace Eye airborne early warning and control aircraft since 2011.The number is dwarfed by Japan's 13 early warning planes.In December last year, South Korea announced a new Korean air defense identification zone (KADIZ) to counter China's unilateral

Oct. 15, 2014

Army chief apologizes over sexual abuse case

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Yo-hwan made an official apology over a recent sexual abuse case involving a division commander, reiterating that the Army would maintain a zero-tolerance policy on sex crimes.During a parliamentary audit, Kim also pledged to strengthen education about sexual abuse and step up preventive efforts. Last week, a major general heading the 17th Infantry Division was arrested on charges of sexually harassing a female staff sergeant.“We regard the (recent) sexual abuse case

Oct. 14, 2014

Army considers altering rank system for draftees

The Army is considering altering the current rank system for draftees to reduce the number of active-duty sergeants as part of efforts to reduce violence and abuse in the military, officials said Tuesday.Under the plan, only squad leaders will be given the rank of sergeant. Squad leaders will be selected from among corporals who perform well. The rest of soldiers will be promoted to sergeant on the day that they complete their mandatory military service.The plan also states that only those being

Oct. 14, 2014