AirSea Battle aims to neutralize anti-access capabilities

To tackle anti-access challenges, the U.S. is now fleshing out a new military operational concept ― the “AirSea Battle.” The concept is to conduct integrated aerial and naval operations across all domains such as air, maritime, space and cyberspace to neutralize “anti-access/area denial” capabilities.It is comparable to the successful “AirLand Battle” concept that undergirded America’s war-fighting doctrine to contain the armed forces of the former Soviet-led Warsaw Pact from the 1980s to the 19

July 4, 2012

New guidance indicates departure from ‘two-war’ strategy

The new U.S. defense guidance puts forward a new war strategy in an apparent departure from its “Two Major Regional Conflicts” concept.The MRC is designed to win two major wars in two different regions ― a strategy that experts say is no longer suitable for the debt-ridden U.S., which is struggling with public fatigue from a decade of costly warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan.The U.S. created the strategy after the end of the Cold War to equip its military with the capability to fight and win two m

July 4, 2012

Defense Ministry kept silent on initialing information pact with Japan since April,

The Ministry of National Defense’s decision to withhold the fact that the military information sharing agreement with Japan was initiated in April is further fueling the controversy over the South Korean government’s handing of the issue.On Tuesday, the Defense Ministry revealed that a provisional version of the General Security of Military Information Agreement with Japan was initiated by the deputy chief of the international policy bureau Brig. Gen. Shin Kyung-soo and Japanese foreign ministry

July 4, 2012

S. Korea to halt talks on logistics deal with Japan

South Korea plans to call off discussions on a military logistics accord with Japan, a government source here said Tuesday, as Seoul deals with the aftermath of a controversial attempt to sign a separate military intelligence-sharing deal with Tokyo.The source said relevant government ministries are "building consensus" toward stopping talks on the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).

July 3, 2012

Defense Ministry initiated pact with Japan in April

The government belatedly admitted on Tuesday that it signed a provisional military intelligence pact with Japan in April but kept it under wraps for more than two months.Korea postponed its official signing scheduled for Friday amid criticism that the government surreptitiously handled the highly sensitive first-ever defense pact with Tokyo.Earlier on Tuesday the opposition Democratic United Party claimed that the Defense Ministry had already initialized the General Security of Military Informat

July 3, 2012

S. Korea-Japan military pact tentatively signed in April: officials

South Korea had already signed a provisional military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan in late April, but didn't report it to the National Assembly, Seoul officials confirmed Tuesday.The tentative agreement on sharing delicate military intelligence was signed on April 23 in Tokyo between Army Brig.Gen. Shin Kyung-soo, the deputy chief of international policy at Seoul's defense ministry, and Ke

July 3, 2012

Defense Ministry asks for 7.6% increase

The Defense Ministry has requested a 7.6 percent increase in next year’s budget as it seeks to introduce aerial refueling aircraft and a low-altitude radar system as well as strengthen other areas.The ministry announced Monday that it has submitted the 35.47 trillion won ($31.03 billion) proposal to the Ministry of Finance and Strategy. The request includes 10.99 trillion won for Defense Acquisition Program Administration projects aimed at improving the country’s military capabilities. It marks

July 2, 2012

Military to improve conditions for troops

The number of barracks shared only by soldiers with the same date of enlistment will be increased as part of plans to improve the conditions for those serving the mandatory military service, the Ministry of National Defense announced Monday. Under the plans, barracks equipped with beds will house only those with the same enlistment date, while facilities with sleeping platforms will house soldiers of the same rank or those who enlisted on the same day. Since 2003, the military has been fitting b

July 2, 2012

Seoul, Beijing to discuss disaster relief cooperation

The South Korean and Chinese militaries will discuss signing a memorandum of understanding on mutual assistance on disaster relief, the Ministry of National Defense announced Monday.The ministry said that its logistics chief Lee Sang-wook will discuss the matter with his Chinese counterpart during the eighth Korea-China military logistics conference in China.The plans to sign an MOU on collaborating in disaster relief operations was first discussed by Korea’s Minister of National Defense Kim Kwa

July 2, 2012

S. Korea to press ahead with military pact with Japan

South Korea will press ahead with the signing of a landmark military pact with Japan after briefing the National Assembly about it, a senior official said Monday, dismissing speculation the sensitive accord could be scrapped altogether due to mounting public criticism.On Friday, the government put the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) on hold at the last minute – just an

July 2, 2012

Seoul smarts after Japan pact fiasco

The postponed military accord between Korea and Japan faces a rough ride as a public and political backlash driven by anti-Japanese sentiment is expected to persist in a pivotal election year. In a major diplomatic embarrassment, Seoul called off a signing ceremony at the last minute on Friday for the General Security of Military Information Agreement, designed to facilitate the exchange of intelligence on North Korea and search-and-rescue-related operations.The main opposition Democratic United

July 1, 2012

Seoul-Tokyo military pact would be 'useful,' U.S. says

The U.S. government said Friday that a Seoul-Tokyo accord on sharing military information, if signed, will be "useful, but it maintained a largely cautious stance on the sensitive bilateral issue."Such agreements would be useful but we recognize that this is a bilateral issue for the ROK and Japan," a State Department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency on the customary condition of anonymity. “T

June 30, 2012

S. Korea, Japan set to sign military pact Friday: official

South Korea is set to sign a military pact with Japan on Friday, marking the first military agreement between the two historical rivals, a senior Seoul official said Thursday, despite lingering bitterness over Tokyo's colonial atrocities.Japan notified South Korea that its Cabinet would approve the pact Friday and the signing will be made in Tokyo immediately after the endorsement, the foreign min

June 28, 2012

Seoul, Tokyo to sign first military accord

South Korea is set to strike its first military accord with Japan, an official said Wednesday, despite domestic opposition over historical disputes and the possibility of the move aggravating North Korea and China.The Cabinet on Tuesday endorsed the General Security of Military Information Agreement to facilitate the sharing of intelligence on North Korea and related to search and rescue missions.It is also designed to set an institutional framework for the classification, protection and handlin

June 27, 2012

Navy investigating accidental discharge of torpedo in Yellow Sea

The Navy said Wednesday it is investigating a recent accidental discharge of a torpedo from a frigate during an exercise in the Yellow Sea.According to the Navy, a 2,300-ton frigate called Cheongju accidentally fired a deactivated torpedo during a drill in waters off Taean, South Chungcheong Province, last Thursday. The Navy said the torpedo didn't explode and sank to the bottom of the water."We b

June 27, 2012

Veterans, families of 2002 naval battle seek damages from former military brass

The families of the six South Korean Navy sailors who died during the second naval skirmish off the coast of Yeonpyeong-do in the West Sea filed a suit against the top commanders of the South Korean military at the time, a local news agency reported Monday. The second naval skirmish occurred on June 29, 2002, when North Korean navy vessels crossed the northern limit line and opened fire on South Korean Navy ships dispatched to ensure that they withdrew out of South Korean waters. According to re

June 25, 2012