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Military chiefs of South Korea, US vow continued efforts toward wartime OPCON transition
The top military leaders of South Korea and the US agreed Monday that the allies have made “meaningful progress” toward the transition of wartime operational control, known as OPCON, to Seoul, pledging to continue joint efforts to meet remaining conditions. According to a joint press statement, Chair of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Jin Yong-sung and his US counterpart Gen. John Daniel Caine made the assessment during the 50th Republic of Korea-United States military committee meeting
Nov. 3, 2025 -
Defense chiefs of S. Korea, US set to visit DMZ for 1st time in 8 years
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were set to visit the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas on Monday, officials said, a day ahead of their annual security talks. Their planned visit to the Joint Security Area inside the DMZ is part of the Pentagon chief's two-day visit to South Korea, in his first trip to South Korea, which is the last leg of his Asia swing that includes stops in Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam. It would mark the first joint visit to the J
Nov. 3, 2025 -
S. Korea bolsters space surveillance with 5th satellite launch
South Korea on Sunday launched its fifth military reconnaissance satellite, completing the nation’s space-based surveillance network designed to strengthen its independent intelligence and early-warning capabilities against North Korean threats. The satellite — referred to as the “final eye” of South Korea’s Kill Chain preemptive strike system — lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 1:09 a.m. — 2:09 p.m. in South Korea — according to Seo
Nov. 2, 2025 -
Canada goes submarine shopping
For Canada, the ongoing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, is a perfect opportunity for some submarine shopping. Members of the Canadian delegation, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, are touring South Korean shipyards and submarine facilities this week, as Ottawa edges closer to selecting a partner for its multibillion-dollar submarine replacement program. South Korea is one of the two preferred contenders. On Friday, Vice Adm. Angus Topshee, comman
Oct. 31, 2025 -
South Korea to launch 5th spy satellite from US
South Korea will launch its fifth domestically developed military reconnaissance satellite from the US this weekend, marking the completion of the country’s multiyear “425 Project” aimed at establishing an independent surveillance network to monitor North Korea, the Defense Ministry said Friday. The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite is scheduled to lift off around 1 a.m. Sunday (US time) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, according to the ministry. The launch represents t
Oct. 31, 2025 -
What Trump’s nod for nuclear submarines means for South Korea
US President Donald Trump’s "approval" for South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine marks a watershed moment in the decadeslong debate over Seoul’s pursuit of nuclear propulsion at sea — a move that could redefine the future of the alliance and reshape the strategic balance in Northeast Asia. Trump announced Thursday on his Truth Social account that South Korea has his "approval" to build a nuclear-powered submarine, adding that construction would take place at the Philadelphia Shipyard,
Oct. 30, 2025 -
South Korea accelerates AI Push in next-generation weapons programs
South Korea is accelerating its adoption of artificial intelligence in national defense, signaling a decisive turn toward algorithm-driven warfare as its battlefield technologies evolve and as its population shrinks. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration, which oversees the country’s arms procurement, has reorganized one of its key semi-autonomous units to take the lead in shaping artificial intelligence policy and strategy for next-generation weapon systems, officials said Monday. The
Oct. 27, 2025 -
Army reserve forces conduct drills involving advanced uniforms, combat gear for 1st time
The Army has wrapped up a two-week exercise of its reserve forces involving advanced uniforms and equipment built to enhance combat effectiveness and survivability, the armed service said Monday. The drills, which began on Oct. 14, marked the first of their kind involving uniforms, equipment and combat gear fitted with advanced technology, known as "warrior platforms," according to the Army. Around 240 reserve troops affiliated with the Army's 31st, 35th and 52nd infantry divisions took part in
Oct. 27, 2025 -
Hegseth to visit Seoul for 1st meeting with S. Korean defense chief
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will make his first trip to Seoul next week to meet with his South Korean counterpart, marking the two allies’ first ministerial-level defense talks since he took office, Seoul’s Defense Ministry said Monday. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back will hold the 57th Security Consultative Meeting with Hegseth on Nov. 4. The annual meeting, hosted alternately by the two countries, will take place in Seoul this year. The meeting will mark the first face-to-face talks bet
Oct. 27, 2025 -
Two North Korean soldiers cross border in pursuit of defector: military source
Two North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the inter-Korean border last week, apparently in pursuit of a fellow soldier who had defected to the South earlier that day, a South Korean military source said Friday. The incident took place on Oct. 19, when the armed soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line in the central section of the border and advanced about 200 meters toward a South Korean guard post, said the source, requesting anonymity. South Korean troops responded with warning broadcas
Oct. 24, 2025 -
S. Korea, US to shorten joint air drills to 1 week
South Korea's Air Force said Thursday a joint large-scale air exercise with the United States will be shortened to one week from the regular two weeks, given the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held next week here. The Air Force said the semiannual Freedom Flag exercise was originally planned to be held for two weeks starting from Sept. 27. But the two sides agreed to launch the joint drill after the APEC summit, scheduled to take place on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, for o
Oct. 23, 2025 -
NK claims test-fire of 'hypersonic projectile’ ahead of APEC summit
North Korea said Thursday it had test-fired what it claimed to be a hypersonic projectile the previous day — a weapon that, if proven effective as a missile, could challenge South Korea’s missile defense systems. According to the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency, two “hypersonic projectiles” launched from the capital Pyongyang toward the northeast struck their intended targets on a mountain ridge in Orang, North Hamgyong Province. The reported flight distance was about 400 kilometers
Oct. 23, 2025 -
Army’s NCO recruitment rate plummets in 5 years
The South Korean Army’s noncommissioned officer recruitment rate has plunged over the past five years, amid growing calls to improve working conditions for junior officers, data showed Wednesday. According to data submitted to Rep. Hwang Hee of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, by the Republic of Korea Army, its NCO recruitment rate dropped from 95 percent in 2020 to just 42 percent in 2024 — a decline of 53 percentage points, marking the lowest among all branches of the armed forces. Of the
Oct. 22, 2025 -
S. Korea set for launch ceremony of 1st 3,600-ton naval attack submarine
South Korea was to hold a launch ceremony for its first 3,600-ton-class naval submarine Wednesday, the Navy and the arms procurement agency said, in a bid to bolster its underwater deterrence against North Korean threats. The ceremony to launch the first of the three Changbogo-III Batch-II class submarines under construction will take place at shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean's dockyard in Geoje, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, Wednesday afternoon, according to the Navy and the Defense Acquisit
Oct. 22, 2025 -
N. Korea fires missiles into East Sea ahead of APEC summit next week
North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Wednesday, in an apparent move to draw attention to itself about a week before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which is expected to bring together global leaders — including US President Donald Trump — in South Korea. The launch, the fifth of its kind this year, was the first in 167 days, dating to May 8, and marked the first missile provocation by the regime since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took office on
Oct. 22, 2025