South Korea’s nuclear-powered subs to help counter China: US naval chief

Joint Press Corps -- The chief of US naval operations said Washington views the deployment of a future South Korean nuclear-powered attack submarine as a “natural expectation” in joint efforts to deter China, underscoring that such a capability would inevitably deepen the allies’ strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. US Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle on Friday stressed that once South Korea fields a nuclear-powered attack submarine, the US would expect it to play a role

Nov. 16, 2025

Heritage agency challenges Seoul redevelopment push with Jongmyo zone designation

The Korea Heritage Service on Thursday formally designated the 194,000-square-meter area surrounding Jongmyo Shrine as an official world heritage zone, a move expected to further intensify the political and administrative standoff over Seoul city’s plan to redevelop the nearby Sewoon District 4. The designation -- which covers 91 land parcels centered around the UNESCO-listed Jongmyo Shrine -- was approved during a meeting of the KHS’ Cultural Heritage Committee at the National Palace Museum of

Nov. 13, 2025

[GBF] S. Korea’s defense industry pivots toward aerospace and unmanned technologies

South Korea’s defense industry is accelerating its transformation from a conventional arms producer into a technology-driven aerospace and unmanned systems powerhouse, signaling a new phase in the nation’s industrial and strategic evolution, an official at one of the country’s top arms exporters said Wednesday. At the Global Biz Forum hosted by Herald Media Group in Seoul on Wednesday, Kim Dong-hyun, head of the Land Systems Business Group at Hanwha Aerospace, outlined plans to channel the compa

Nov. 13, 2025

S. Korea’s nuclear submarine project to reshape regional security dynamics: think tank

South Korea’s decision to pursue nuclear-powered submarines under a recent agreement with the United States is emerging as a watershed moment for the alliance, expanding its strategic cooperation into maritime and high-technology domains while potentially reshaping Northeast Asia’s security landscape, a think tank said Tuesday. In a report released Tuesday, the Sejong Institute said that Seoul’s nuclear submarine program “marks not merely a step in defense capability, but a historic turning poin

Nov. 11, 2025

Pressure mounts on top prosecutor to resign over land case decision

Acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok came under growing pressure to resign on Tuesday over his decision not to appeal a controversial land development corruption case linked to President Lee Jae Myung’s tenure as Seongnam mayor, as internal criticism within the prosecution widened across all ranks. Noh, who also serves as deputy prosecutor general, took a day off Tuesday amid reports that he is “seriously considering” stepping down. Four days earlier, the prosecution sparked a firestorm by dec

Nov. 11, 2025

Justice Minister defends prosecution’s decision not to appeal land corruption case

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho on Monday defended the prosecution’s decision not to appeal the verdict in a land development corruption case, saying the move was “legally sound” and reached after “careful consideration of all circumstances.” The case, one of South Korea’s most politically charged in recent years, centers on a housing development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Prosecutors had accused five key private developers and former city officials of colluding to divert massive prof

Nov. 10, 2025

JCS chief orders sweeping reshuffle of senior officers in unprecedented shake-up: sources

South Korea’s top military leadership is facing an unprecedented reshuffle, as Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Jin Yong-sung has ordered the large-scale replacement of JCS senior officers in the aftermath of the Dec. 3 martial law crisis. According to military sources earlier this week, Gen. Jin recently issued internal instructions calling for a “comprehensive personnel overhaul” within the JCS. The directive targets most generals currently serving at the headquarters, as well as colonels and

Nov. 7, 2025

Ulsan police launch task force to investigate fatal powerplant accident

The Ulsan Metropolitan Police have formed a special investigation team to probe the deadly collapse of a boiler tower at Korea East-West Power Co.'s Ulsan thermal power plant on Thursday. The task force, led by the chief of the agency’s criminal investigation unit, includes more than 70 officers from the scientific investigation and digital forensics divisions. Investigators are expected to focus on possible charges of occupational negligence resulting in death. Authorities will examine the rela

Nov. 7, 2025

North Korea launches ballistic missile into East Sea: JCS

North Korea fired at least one suspected ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Friday, in what observers say appears to be a protest against the latest US sanctions. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the launch took place around 12:35 p.m. from Daegwan, North Pyongan Province. The projectile, assessed to be a short-range ballistic type, traveled roughly 700 kilometers before falling into the East Sea, according to the JCS. Authorities in South Korea and the United States are c

Nov. 7, 2025

Death toll rises to 3 in Ulsan power plant collapse

Two more workers have been confirmed dead as of early Friday afternoon from the boiler tower collapse at a thermal power plant in Ulsan, as rescue efforts continued. The collapse occurred Thursday at the Ulsan branch of Korea East-West Power Co., a state-run utility, trapping seven workers under debris. One victim was pronounced dead at 4:53 a.m. Friday. Another worker rescued at 9:06 a.m. was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital, while the third victim, rescued at 11:15 a.m., was pro

Nov. 7, 2025