Apr 23, 2018

Construction materials, equipment to be transported into THAAD site Monday

South Korea's defense ministry said Monday that it's starting the transport of construction materials, equipment and personnel into the US missile defense base, 300 kilometers south of Seoul, despite protests by local residents and activists. (Yonhap)It cited the urgency of building amenities and other facilities to improve the living conditions of more than 400 South Korean and US troops stationed at the THAAD base in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province."We have decided to begin the transport of

Apr 23, 2018

Construction vehicles enter THAAD base after police break up protest

SEONGJU/SEOUL -- Construction vehicles made it into the base of the United States THAAD anti-missile system in southeastern South Korea on Monday after riot police removed protesters blocking the road to oppose THAAD's deployment.Twenty-two vehicles carrying construction materials, equipment and workers entered the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense base in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, from around 11:20 a.m. as part of a project to build facilities for troops manning the unit.Their entra

Apr 22, 2018

Residents confront police over THAAD base

SEONGJU -- Residents living near the US military's new missile defense base on the Korean Peninsula confronted police officers on Sunday, the police said.Residents and activists have been blocking the transport of construction materials and equipment into the THAAD site in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, for months, citing concerns that the military will expand helipads and other facilities associated with military operations in the compound.The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency said 30 Seo

Apr 22, 2018

Korea, US to kick off annual military drills as scheduled: official

South Korea and United States will hold their annual Key Resolve training exercise starting this week as scheduled, a military official said Sunday.The simulation-based, command-post drill between the two allies is set to begin Monday and run for the next two weeks, the official said. The two countries started their four-week Foal Eagle field training at the beginning of this month.But it's unclear whether the training will take place this Friday, when leaders of South Korea and North Korea are

Apr 20, 2018

Military hopes for summit breakthrough in easing border tension

South Korea's military said Friday the inter-Korean summit talks next week may lead the two Koreas to let their guards down along the heavily fortified border.The South's President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to meet with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong-un, at the border village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone on April 27. Among key agenda items are denuclearization and ways to reduce military tensions. (Yonhap)Some have floated the idea of the two sides withdrawing heavy weapons

Apr 19, 2018

Military training on inter-Korean summit day still up in air

South Korea and the United States have yet to decide whether to continue their combined military exercises through the inter-Korean summit day next week, a defense official said Thursday.The allies kicked off the Foal Eagle field training in Korea on April 1 with an announcement that it will last four weeks. They are also scheduled to start the Key Resolve simulation-based, command-post drill next Monday.It's an open secret that the two sides plan to wrap up Foal Eagle, ostensibly before next Fr

Apr 18, 2018

Military says no mechanical problem in F-15K crash

South Korea's Air Force announced Wednesday it has found no evidence of any mechanical failure related to the deadly crash of an F-15K fighter jet earlier this month.It suggests the possibility of human error or an unknown "environmental factor" behind the accident that killed two pilots.The aircraft crashed into a 839-meter-high mountain in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province, on April 5.The F-15K aircraft crashed into a mountain in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province, on April 5 on its way back

Apr 17, 2018

Korea to join US-led Air Force engineer exercise

South Korea's Air Force said Tuesday it will take part in a multinational civil engineer training hosted by the US Pacific Air Forces.The Silver Flag drill is scheduled to open on Wednesday for an 11-day run at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.The annual practice is aimed at strengthening partnerships and promoting interoperability among civil engineers across the region in dealing with various contingency situations.South Korea's Air Force service members plan to participate in eight programs --

Apr 16, 2018

USFK command to relocate to Pyeongtaek in summer: sources

The Yongsan era of the US Forces Korea will draw to a close in the coming months with an official transfer ceremony at an expanded base south of Seoul, defense sources here said Monday."The USFK headquarters will relocate to Camp Humphreys by June or July. A transfer ceremony is provisionally slated for early July," an informed source told Yonhap News Agency. "No date has been fixed yet, with the USFK leadership currently preoccupied with preparing for the (upcoming) South-North summit talks."Ge

Apr 15, 2018

S. Korea's defense minister leaves for UAE to discuss defense industry cooperation

South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo left for the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for a four-day visit to discuss ways to strengthen military cooperation.Song is expected to focus on follow-up measures to an agreement reached between President Moon Jae-in and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi in late March. File photo of Defense Minister Song Young-moo (Yonhap)Song plans to discuss cooperation on arms development with his UAE counterpart, Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi

Apr 14, 2018

Defense ministries of S. Korea, US deny increase in USFK troops

The number of United States Forces Korea troops has remained unchanged at about 28,500, South Korea's defense ministry said Saturday, denying media reports of possible troop increases.Some recent news reports said that the number of USFK troops has increased to 32,000.Those reports came after US President Donald Trump gave a public speech March 29 suggesting about 32,000 American troops were protecting South Korea from North Korea. Camp Humphreys (Yonhap)Asked to comment on the reports, the mini

Apr 12, 2018

Defense Minister to visit UAE next week

　South Korea’s Defense Minister is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates next week in a bid to boost bilateral ties in the military procurement following the summit last month, Seoul’s Defense Ministry said Thursday. 　The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that Defense Minister Song Young-moo will visit the UAE April 15- April 18. The trip is aimed at following up on the agreement made during President Moon Jae-in’s recent visit to the UAE, where the two sides agreed to move the bilate

Apr 11, 2018

Korea, US kick off 2nd round of military cost-sharing talks

South Korea and the United States started their second round of talks Wednesday to renew their cost-sharing agreement for the about 28,500 American troops stationed here.The two-day talks started on South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju earlier in the day, following their first round of meetings held last month on Hawaii. "First of all, I would like to extend my sincere welcome to senior adviser Betts and the US delegation upon your visit to Korea, especially to the beautiful Jeju Island,

Apr 11, 2018

Korea confident about advanced radar development

South Korea said Wednesday it's confident about developing its own advanced radar system for envisioned indigenous combat jets.The defense authorities launched the 360-billion-won ($338 million) program in 2016 to acquire an active electronically scanned array radar system.It's part of the ongoing KF-X fighter development project, worth 8.8 trillion won, to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 jets.The state-run Agency for Defense Development is leading the radar initiative. It has