The Korea Herald

S. Korea, U.S. defense chiefs vow strong alliance against N. Korea

The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States on Saturday vowed to maintain strong alliance to deter potential threats from North Korea eager to arm itself with missile and nuclear weapons.South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin met his American counterpart Chuck Hagel on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue under way in Singapore. It was their first meeting since the Pentagon chief took office in February. "We have to develop the bilateral alliance so we can have joint deterren

June 2, 2013

S. Korea, U.S. defense chiefs vow strong alliance against N. Korea

[Photo News] Joint drill

May 30, 2013

U.S. taps female commander for its naval forces in Korea

The U.S. has named a woman to command its naval forces in South Korea.The Pentagon announced Tuesday the decision to appoint Capt. Lisa M. Franchetti, who has been selected for promotion to rear admiral, to the position.She is currently serving as military assistant to the secretary of the Navy. It would be the first time that the U.S. will have a female commander for U.S. Naval Forces Korea, according to a defense source here. "Capt. Franchetti has a good reputation in the U.S. Navy and she is

May 29, 2013

[Graphic News] Seoul plans to purchase U.S. weapons worth $800 million

Seoul has notified Washington of its intention to purchase weapons systems worth $800 million to be mounted on its new fleet of warplanes should a U.S. fighter be picked for its 8.3-trillion-won ($7.4 billion) acquisition project. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which handles Washington’s foreign military sales, revealed Seoul’s request to buy high-tech arms such as Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and GBU-39 bunker busters.Last month, Seoul made a se

May 26, 2013

[Graphic News] Seoul plans to purchase U.S. weapons worth $800 million

Navy to buy 20 patrol aircraft

The South Korean military has approved a plan to buy 20 maritime patrol aircraft to improve the Navy’s surveillance capabilities of North Korea, a military source said Sunday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff has recently approved the Navy’s request to add 20 maritime patrol aircraft to supplement the aging squadron of 16 Lockheed Martin P-3C Orions.“The Defense Acquisition Program Administration is currently working on a plan, which is likely to be an overseas purchase program,” the source said, askin

May 26, 2013

U.S. Air Force offering data for S. Korea seeking to buy fighter jets

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) -- A close partnership between the air forces of South Korea and the United States will continue regardless of which model Seoul picks for its next-generation fighter jets, a senior U.S. official said Friday."They are strong partners and allies and I think will remain so in any situation going forward," Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said in a Pentagon press briefing.South Korea is in the process of selecting a contractor for the supply of 60 advanced jets to

May 25, 2013

U.S. announces possible sale of weapons for F-35, F-15 to Korea

The U.S. government has notified Congress of possible sales to South Korea of armament for the F-35 or F-15 SE, one of which may be selected as South Korea's new fighter jet, according to a Pentagon agency Thursday.South Korea plans to purchase 60 advanced jets to replace its aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s. The three competitors for the contract, worth about 8.3 trillion won ($7.4 billion), are Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth jet, Boeing's F-15 SE and the Eurofighter Tranche 3 from European Aerospa

May 24, 2013

EADS offers $2 bln investment on Korean fighter jet project

The European Aerospace Defense and Space Company (EADS) on Thursday offered to invest US$2 billion in South Korea's long-delayed fighter jet development project if it wins Seoul's jet procurement deal.The multinational defense firm made the offer as its Eurofighter Tranche 3 has been competing with Lockheed Martin'sF-35 stealth jet and Boeing's F-15 Silent Eagle for the 8.3 trillion won ($7.3 billion) contract to replace the South Korean Air Force's aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s.The EADS also pro

May 23, 2013

[Photo News] Aboard Korean-made chopper

May 22, 2013

President pledges full support for boosting defense industry

President Park Geun-hye reaffirmed Wednesday that South Korea would not provide any concessions or assistance in response to North Korean saber-rattling. “During my visit to the U.S., President (Barack) Obama and I clearly stated that we will sternly counter any provocation by North Korea but have the doors to dialogue open at all times,” Park said, referring to the May 7 summit talks in Washington.She made the remarks during a ceremony to deploy Korea Aerospace Industries’ Surion, South Korea’s

May 22, 2013

President pledges full support for boosting defense industry

Seoul to offer humanitarian aid to N.K. if dialogue reopens

South Korea will seek to rebuild trust with North Korea by offering humanitarian aid to Pyongyang if inter-Korean dialogue is reopened, a top security official said, despite months of high tensions triggered by the North’s nuclear test. Ju Chul-ki, the senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security, told senior diplomats on Tuesday that Seoul is willing to “present several proposals to North Korea if (inter-Korean) dialogue resumes.” The remarks by Ju were in line with P

May 22, 2013

Lt. Gen. Johnson receives national security medal

The Seoul government on Monday awarded outgoing U.S. Eighth Army Commander Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson an order of national security merit for his contribution to maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin gave Johnson the Gukseon Medal ― the second highest medal that can be awarded to a three-star-level military officer ― during a ceremony at the ministry in Seoul.Johnson has led the Eighth Army since November 2010 and is to leave office next

May 20, 2013

Lt. Gen. Johnson receives national security medal

South Korea deploys Israeli Spike missiles

South Korea has deployed to its western frontline islands the Israeli-made Spike missiles capable of launching precision strikes on North Korea’s coastal artillery pieces hidden in mountain caves and tunnels, Seoul officials said Sunday.“We have recently deployed scores of Spike missiles and vehicles to carry them to the border islands including Bangnyeongdo and Yeonpyeongdo,” an official at Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters, declining to be named.“In case of a contingency, the missil

May 19, 2013

South Korea deploys Israeli Spike missiles

U.S. navy chief visits Korea

U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert visited South Korea last week to discuss the allies’ naval cooperation and exchanges to better deter North Korea’s provocations, Seoul officials said Sunday.On Thursday, the first day of his two-day schedule, Greenert visited the South Korean Navy’s Second Fleet in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, to pay his respects to the 46 fallen sailors of the corvette Cheonan. The wreckage of the 1,200-ton vessel is on display at the naval base. The No

May 19, 2013

S. Korea deploys Israeli missiles to protect border islands

South Korea has placed Israeli precision-guided missiles capable of striking North Korean coastal artillery on its Yellow Sea border islands, a military official said Sunday."Dozens of Spike missiles and their launchers have recently been deployed on Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong islands," an official for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. "They can destroy (North Korea's) underground facilities and can pursue and strike moving targets."The satellite-guided Spike missile has a range of about 20

May 19, 2013

Obama to replace chief of U.S. Forces in Korea

WASHINGTON— President Barack Obama plans to replace the top commander of U.S. forces in Korea, the Pentagon announced Friday, a move that comes as North Korea shows no signs of returning to dialogue aimed at easing military tensions and denuclearizing the peninsula.Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Pentagon would promote Lt. Gen. Curtis ``Mike'' Scaparrotti, formerly deputy commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, to the rank of a four-star general to serve as commander of the 28,500 troops

May 18, 2013

S. Korea, U.S. hold naval exercises involving nuclear-powered flattop

South Korea and the United States on Monday began two days of joint naval exercises off the east coast involving the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier.The 97,000-ton USS Nimitz (CVN 68) left the southeastern port of Busan earlier in the day for the exercises with South Korea's Navy in the East Sea near Pohang, a senior military official said.The Nimitz Strike Group consists of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and guided-missile destroyers and cruisers.South Korea mobilized the Aegis-

May 13, 2013

U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz off Korea for drill

BUSAN (AFP) ― A U.S. naval strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrived off South Korea Saturday for drills, following joint exercises that infuriated North Korea.The Nimitz Strike Group includes 64 aircraft as well as cruisers and destroyers, said the group’s commander, Rear Admiral Mike S. White, after the aircraft carrier anchored off the southern port of Busan.“I believe it’s critically important that we maintain our inter-operability with our partners like the Republic of Kor

May 12, 2013

U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz off Korea for drill

U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz off S. Korea for drill

BUSAN (AFP) - A U.S. naval strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrived off South Korea Saturday for drills, following joint exercises that infuriated North Korea. The Nimitz Strike Group includes 64 aircraft as well as cruisers and destroyers, said the group's commander, Rear Admiral Mike S. White, after the aircraft carrier anchored off the southern port of Busan. "I believe it's critically important that we maintain our inter-operability with our partners like the Republ

May 11, 2013

U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz off S. Korea for drill

Seoul declines joining U.S.-led missile defense

The defense ministry on Thursday ruled out South Korea's participation in the American-led missile defense system, saying it will focus on developing its own program to defend itself from North Korea's missile threats.Whether to join a U.S.-led missile defense system involving ground-based interceptors and the X-band radar has been a prickly issue in South Korea, as it could spur a regional arms race involving China and further contribute to mounting costs in the national missile program. The is

May 9, 2013