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U.S. to provide maximum support for Korea's KF-X project: State Department

The United States will provide maximum support for South Korea's indigenous fighter jet development project, the State Department said Tuesday, dismissing speculation that Washington might be reluctant to back the program.

The State Department is responsible for approving U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin's promised transfer of key technologies to South Korea for the fighter program, known as the "KF-X" project.

Speculation about U.S. reluctance arose after reports that the department was negative about approving the transfer of some technologies.

"The United States continues to support the Republic of Korea's defense programs and priorities through the transfer of many of our most sensitive defense technologies. We seek to support the KF-X indigenous fighter program to the maximum extent possible," Katina Adams, a State Department spokeswoman, said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency.

"The U.S. government is in discussions with Lockheed Martin to address ROK areas of concern. We will continue to work closely with Lockheed Martin throughout this process to ensure continued support to the KF-X program," she said.

South Korea agreed with Lockheed Martin last year to receive 25 combat jet technologies and the two parties have been negotiating the terms of transferring 21 of the technologies after the U.S. government decided earlier this year not to transfer the other four sensitive technologies.

Recent media reports said that the U.S. decided to disallow the transfer of three more technologies. But the department spokeswoman said no final decision has been made.

"Programs like the KF-X are large and complex. As a result, there is often an iterative process whereby export licenses are amended as the program matures and becomes better defined," the spokeswoman said. (Yonhap)