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Lee, Trump likely to outline ‘alliance modernization,’ defer details
The leaders of South Korea and the United States are expected to agree in principle to “modernize the alliance” at their upcoming summit, amid a shifting regional security environment, while deferring key details to lower-level negotiations, according to officials in Seoul familiar with the matter. Seoul and Washington have been gearing up for the first in-person summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump, widely anticipated to take place in Washington late
Aug. 6, 2025 -
Seoul’s adjustment to S. Korea-US military drill could put alliance to test: think tank
Despite Seoul floating talks of adjusting the scale and timing of the annual South Korea-US military exercise scheduled for mid-August, doing so would weaken Washington’s trust in its decadeslong ally, a report by a local think tank said Wednesday. The report, published in Korean by the state-affiliated Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said that under current circumstances, an adjustment to the Ulchi Freedom Shield drill could undermine “the efforts and willpower expressed by the US Forces
Aug. 6, 2025 -
Defense media agency chief dismissed over alleged power abuse
The head of the state defense media agency was dismissed Monday over power abuse allegations, the defense ministry said, following accusations he unfairly exerted influence on the agency's coverage. The decision came after the ministry conducted a weeklong audit into the agency chief, Chae Il, in July after receiving public complaints over his alleged power abuse and verbal misconduct, according to the ministry. Chae has faced criticism over political neutrality in the process of editing news in
Aug. 4, 2025 -
South Korea begins dismantling border loudspeakers to ease tensions with the North
South Korea began dismantling its loudspeakers near the border used for anti-Pyongyang propaganda in a "practical step" to ease tensions with North Korea, Seoul's Defense Ministry said Monday. “The removal is a follow-up measure to the suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts in June,” said Col. Lee Kyung-ho, vice spokesperson of the Defense Ministry, during a press briefing. “It is being carried out within a scope that does not affect our military's readiness.” The ministry's vice spokesperson adde
Aug. 4, 2025 -
S. Korean military to upgrade joint command, control system
South Korea’s military will upgrade the Allied Korean Joint Command and Control System in a bid to ensure a smoother transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul, the state arms procurement agency said Monday. The command and control system — designed and developed by the South Korean military — will be upgraded and ready for operations by 2029, under a 117.8 billion won ($84.9 million) project, according to Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration. A key goal is to
Aug. 4, 2025 -
Senior Seoul official notes possibility of USFK role change due to 'various factors'
WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- A senior South Korean official made a rare mention Thursday of a possible change in the role of the US Forces Korea (USFK), amid speculation that US President Donald Trump's administration may seek to shift the focus of its mission to deterring China rather than countering North Korean threats. The official made the remarks in a meeting with South Korean correspondents in Washington as the Trump administration is seeking to "modernize" the South Korea-US alliance to make i
Aug. 1, 2025 -
S. Korea, US defense chiefs vow deeper shipbuilding ties
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back held his first phone call with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday, during which the two agreed to strengthen extended deterrence against North Korean threats and enhance cooperation in the shipbuilding industry, according to Seoul’s Defense Ministry. Ahn, who took office on July 25, said he feels a strong sense of responsibility as the first defense minister under the new administration. He emphasized the importance of advancing the achiev
July 31, 2025 -
DAPA to streamline procedures for joint civil-military space projects
South Korea’s arms procurement agency is seeking to streamline the management of joint civil-military space development projects, including the planned operation of ultrasmall satellites, in a bid to reduce inefficiencies caused by overlapping regulations. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Wednesday it has commissioned a study to establish standardized procedures for projects jointly pursued and operated by the government, military and industries. DAPA explained that such proje
July 30, 2025 -
New Defense Minister heads to Poland to finalize 2nd K2 tank deal
South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back flies to Poland on Thursday to meet with his Polish counterpart and finalize an estimated 8.8 trillion won ($6.4 million) to export a second batch of K2 tanks to Poland. Seoul’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that Ahn plans to visit the European nation from Thursday to Saturday, in his first overseas trip since taking office last week. The trip was arranged at the request of Poland’s Ministry of National Defense, according to Seoul’s ministry. Through
July 30, 2025 -
S. Korea in talks to launch NATO defense consultative body in September
South Korea is in talks with NATO to launch a working-level defense consultative body as early as September, through which it would seek to expand opportunities for local defense firms to enter the European market. The inaugural session of the consultative body is being discussed for late September in Brussels, Belgium, with final arrangements still being coordinated by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and NATO, according to an official at the arms procurement agency on Tuesday. Th
July 29, 2025 -
South Korea upgrades air defense system
South Korea has successfully deployed its enhanced air defense system capable of striking down ballistic targets, the state arms procurement agency said Monday. The first batch of the new Cheongung-II system, upgraded from the Cheongung-I, has been deployed to the South Korean military and is projected to be fully installed and in operation by 2027, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The Cheongung-I system focuses on striking hostile aircraft at altitudes of up to 40 ki
July 28, 2025 -
High-level presence at PLA banquet signals NK-China thaw
North Korea dispatched senior officials to a Chinese Embassy reception in Pyongyang marking the anniversary of China’s armed forces — one of several emerging signs of thawing ties between the two countries after a period of diplomatic chill. Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun hosted the event at the embassy on Tuesday to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, which falls on August 1, North Korean state media reported Wednesday. "The banquet participa
July 23, 2025 -
Probe targets alleged link between Mongolia operation, martial law
A special counsel is investigating a covert operation conducted by the military in Mongolia in November, in which two intelligence officers allegedly attempted to contact North Korean officials, as part of its probe into former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Investigators suspect that the operation was designed to provoke North Korea or to open a line of communication that could serve as justification for Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 of last year. The special council has also underscore
July 23, 2025 -
Seoul should set new bottom line for USFK: expert
Seoul needs to be proactive in setting the new “baseline” with Washington over the talks involving a possible change in the role of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea stationed here, a Seoul-based military and foreign relations expert said Wednesday. “South Korean officials and experts’ current discussions, in dealing with Washington’s talks of strategic flexibility of the USFK, are focused on maintaining the current situation or reacting to the US’ moves,” Jo Bee-yun, a research fellow at Sejong
July 23, 2025 -
Seoul to host UNC veterans, families to pay tribute to Korean War service
Veterans of the United Nations Command forces who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War and their families are to visit South Korea at the invitation of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the ministry said Wednesday. The visit, scheduled from Thursday to Monday, is part of a commemoration of the UN Forces Participation Day, observed annually on July 27. A total of 55 participants are attending, including six veterans, 21 bereaved family members and 26 leaders of veterans associations from
July 23, 2025