The South Korean government is seeking to require 36 months of work in correctional facilities from those seeking alternative to military service, after the country’s top court recognized conscientious objection as a valid reason for rejecting mandatory military service. 　While the Ministry of National Defense and the conscription agency have yet to finalize plans for an alternative service program, they said their preferred option is to involve conscientious objectors serving at correctional fa

Defense Nov. 15, 2018

　A Washington think tank’s report about undeclared missile bases in North Korea has prompted debate over whether Pyongyang is keeping its promises to the US, with many commentators questioning how the controversy will affect denuclearization talks down the road.  　Beyond Parallel, a team that specializes in North Korea issues at the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said in its report published Monday that it has identified 13 out of an estimated 20 missile bases that Nort

North Korea Nov. 14, 2018

With the United States and North Korea deadlocked over denuclearization negotiations since their first summit in Singapore, the prospect of future talks appears to have worsened following a report of what the US suspects to be undeclared missile sites in the North.Beyond Parallel, a team that specializes in North Korea issues at the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said in its report published Monday that it has identified 13 out of an estimated 20 missile operating bases

North Korea Nov. 13, 2018

With the two Koreas’ militaries completing the withdrawal of troops and firearms from frontline guard posts over the weekend, the work is underway to destroy 20 guard posts in the spirit of continuing inter-Korean reconciliation. The South Korean Army said Monday that it had begun destroying 10 guard posts on the southern side of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone. The dismantling work will be completed by the end of November and followed by a verification process in December.The two Korea

North Korea Nov. 12, 2018

South Korea’s first aerial refueling tanker was delivered to the Air Force on Monday, amid expectations that the long-sought-after asset will boost the country’s military capabilities. The Air Force said Monday an A330 MRTT arrived at an air base in the southern city of Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. The tanker plane is expected to become operational next month after undergoing a series of performance tests. The military expects that the tanker will boost South Korea’s air combat capability

Defense Nov. 12, 2018

Controversy continues to escalate at the United Nations Security Council over humanitarian aid for North Korea, with member states divided over sanctions exemptions required to send relief materials to the country. The United States has been delaying approval of several requests for sanctions exemptions to deliver tractors, spare parts and other goods needed for humanitarian relief in North Korea, according to an AFP report Thursday.Russia asked the Security Council to discuss the delays during

North Korea Nov. 9, 2018

The new chief of US Forces Korea on Thursday stressed the need for a robust military posture to support diplomatic engagement with North Korea, amid concerns over stalled nuclear negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington. 　Army Gen. Robert B. Abrams assumed command of US Forces in South Korea, replacing Gen. Vincent Brooks. Abrams also inherited Brooks’ control over the United Nations Command and the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command. 　During the change-of-command ceremony at Camp Humph

Defense Nov. 8, 2018

Remarks about the Korean Peninsula by a top US military officer have sparked debate over the future of the 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea. 　Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Monday that the US would have to start making “some changes to the military posture on the peninsula” over time if talks with North Korea make progress. 　While Dunford did not elaborate on what those changes might be during a recent forum at Duke University, the remarks have

Defense Nov. 7, 2018

The scandal-ridden military intelligence command had floated the idea of leaving the Sewol ferry underwater to address worsening public sentiment over former President Park Geun-hye’s handling of the sinking, investigators said Tuesday. 　According to the military probe team investigating the Defense Security Command’s illicit surveillance targeting civilians, the now-defunct unit had suggested to Park that the government stop seeking to recover the ferry that sank off the country’s southwestern

Defense Nov. 6, 2018

GANGHWADO, Incheon -- Since the end of the Korean War in 1953, access to the waterways along the western border with North Korea have been largely restricted out of concern that cross-border skirmishes could escalate into major conflicts.While the armistice agreement allows for freedom of navigation at the estuaries of South Korea’s Han River and North Korea’s Imjin River, such activities have been mostly prohibited unless for military purposes. Now, off-limits sites are about to open up themsel

North Korea Nov. 5, 2018

With US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo scheduled to meet with his North Korean counterpart this week, the two sides are ratcheting up pressure to gain better negotiation position in the denuclearization talks. The Trump administration has insisted that economic sanctions remain on North Korea until it dismantles its nuclear and missile programs. North Korea, however, has demanded the US lessen its sanctions pressure before any progress on denuclearization talks. The tug-of-war is expected to esc

North Korea Nov. 4, 2018

YEONPYEONGDO, Incheon -- When North Korean artillery shells slammed into a residential area on the island of Yeonpyeongdo in 2010, the barrage of fire blew up houses, reducing them to smoldering ruins. Four people died and dozens more were injured in the North’s first attack on civilians since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Among the victims were Marines serving at the Yeonpyeongdo artillery unit, which fired back toward the North’s western artillery bases. Eight years later, the two Koreas

North Korea Nov. 1, 2018

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to meet with his North Korean counterpart next week in a bid to make progress on denuclearization and arrange a second summit between the two countries’ leaders.During an interview Wednesday on the conservative US radio program “The Laura Ingraham Show,” Pompeo said he would talk with his North Korean counterpart about plans to invite inspectors to the North’s nuclear and missile sites, as well as plans to hold the second US-North Korea summit early next y

North Korea Nov. 1, 2018

The top US Commander in South Korea was notified of the plan to establish a no-fly zone over a cross-border region well before the two Koreas announced it during the inter-Korean summit in September. According to a source familiar with the bilateral consultations, US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Vincent Brooks met with South Korean general Kim Do-gyun in August to discuss South Korea’s push for a comprehensive military agreement with North Korea.During a closed-door meeting held at USFK headquart

Defense Oct. 31, 2018

The South Korean and US defense chiefs will hold annual security talks in Washington on Wednesday amid concerns that an alleged gap between the two countries’ approaches to North Korea might pose a challenge to the decades-old alliance. 　Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and his US counterpart, James Mattis, will attend the 50th Security Consultative Meeting, with senior diplomats and defense officials joining the bilateral consultation held annually since 1968. 　The Ministry of National Defense

Defense Oct. 30, 2018