South Korea - The Korea Times

Military to deploy more K-2 main battle tanks by 2017

K-2 Black PantherThe military plans to complete the deployment of some 100 next-generation tanks equipped with an indigenous engine and transmission by the year 2017, according to the arms procurement agency, Wednesday.The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the upgraded K-2 Black Panther will be deployed by the end of the year.The decision came during a defense project committee meeting presided over by Defense Minister Han Min-koo.The military has been postponing the deployment of the weapons system as it had failed Army requirements because of faulty components.The Joint Chiefs of Staff decided to lower the standard for its acceleration performance, enabling the deployment of the advanced combat vehicle.DAPA spokesman Kim Si-cheol explained that the deployment of the vehicle will help the military to strengthen its combat capability as they will have upgraded mobility and firepower suitable for any future warfare environment.He expressed confidence with the equipment the military will be able to maintain upper hand over North Korea. “We also expect the new

Nov 19, 2014

Military to deploy more K-2 main battle tanks by 2017

BAE Systems seeks to block Korea's payment demand

By Jun Ji-hyeBAE Systems has filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court to block the Korean arms procurement agency’s demand that the British company pay $43 million to it to cover costs from a now-suspended contract for KF-16 upgrades.The company filed the suit with the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Wednesday (local time), claiming that the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is seeking payment for BAE’s “inability to force the U.S. government to withdraw its proposed price increase.”The company said in a statement, “In response to suggestions of legal action against BAE Systems from the Korean government, the company has asked a U.S. federal court to rule that it does not owe any money in connection with the F-16 upgrade program.”At the center of contention is a 1.75 trillion won ($1.6 billion) deal BAE signed two years ago to upgrade the ROK Air Force’s KF-16s. At the time, the U.S. government agreed to provide a foreign military sale (FMS) guarantee for the multinational company, which has a significant U.S. presence.However, the p

Nov 14, 2014

US approves PAC-3 sale to Seoul

By Yi Whan-wooPAC-3 batteryThe U.S. government has approved a possible sale to South Korea of 136 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 interceptor missiles and related equipment, according to its defense agency.The approval comes amid South Korea’s move to upgrade its PAC-2 air defense system by 2020 because of continuing military threats from North Korea.The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in Washington, D.C. said on Thursday (local time) that the U.S. Department of State approved the sale for an estimated $1.405 billion.“South Korea is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific, and a key partner of the U.S. in ensuring peace and stability in that region,” the DSCA said.“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the U.S. by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of an ally and partner nation.”The DSCA is under the U.S. Department of Defense. It provides financial and technical assistance, transfer of defense materials, training and services

Nov 7, 2014By Yi Whan-woo

U.S. approves possible sale of PAC-3 interceptor missiles to S. Korea

The U.S. government has approved a possible sale to South Korea of PAC-3 interceptor missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of US$1.405 billion, a U.S. defense agency said.The State Department has approved South Korea's request that 136 PAC-3 missiles be sold to the Asian ally, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.The agency said it delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the sale Wednesday.The estimated cost is $1.405 billion, it said."This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of an ally and partner nation," the agency said.South Korea "is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific, and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region," it said. "It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability."South Korea is seeking to buy PAC-3 intercepto

Nov 7, 2014

U.S. approves possible sale of PAC-3 interceptor missiles to S. Korea

Army sergeant sentenced to 45 years

Court-martialed murder suspects all convictedBy Kim Se-jeongA military court sentenced an Army sergeant to 45 years in prison Thursday after finding him guilty of beating a junior soldier to death early this year.The 26-year-old sergeant from the 28th Infantry Division, surnamed Lee, and three other soldiers were charged with murder and battery regarding the death of a private first-class, surnamed Yoon. The court cleared them of murder charges, but ruled that their assault on Yoon led to his death.Another sergeant, surnamed Ha, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, while two other soldiers were both given 25 years for their role in Yoon’s death.Military prosecutors had earlier demanded death penalty for Lee and life in prison for the three others.The prosecution said it will appeal the ruling.“Lee deserves heavy punishment. A 45-year prison term is tantamount to the death penalty demanded by prosecutors for this soldier,” the court said in its ruling.The verdict came six months after Yoon’s death when he was repeatedly hit in the chest by the accused at their

Oct 30, 2014

Defense accord triggers criticism

Defense Minister Han Min-koo, left, lays flowers on a grave at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. on Wednesday, after he arrived in the U.S. capital. / YonhapBy Jun Ji-hyeSeoul and Washington’s agreement to delay South Korea’s takeover of wartime operational control (OPCON) of its troops from the United States is expected to trigger controversy for what critics say is a lack of independence in national defense capabilities.Some analysts expressed concerns over a possible deterioration in inter-Korean relations as North Korea will likely object to the delay.During the security consultative meeting (SCM) held in Washington, Thursday, Seoul’s Defense Minister Han Min-koo and U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel agreed to delay the transition of wartime OPCON until South Korea’s military capabilities are secured against nuclear and missile threats from Pyongyang.Paik Hak-soon, a researcher at the Sejong Institute, said that the agreement means that Seoul will continue to lack a self-reliant national defense

Oct 24, 2014

Allies agree to maintain status quo on OPCON

Allies agree to maintain status quo on OPCON

By Jun Ji-hyeSouth Korea and the United States agreed Thursday to implement a conditions-based approach to Seoul’s takeover of wartime operational control (OPCON) of its troops from Washington.The agreement was finalized at a security consultative meeting (SCM) between Defense Minister Han Min-koo and U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in Washington.The agreement means a delay in the current schedule for the transfer set for the end of 2015 as requested by Seoul.Officials said the conditions-based approach means that Seoul will regain wartime OPCON when its military capabilities are secured, and the security environment on the Korean Peninsula and in the region is conducive to a stable transition.However, the two sides failed to determine the exact timing of the transfer, only stating “an appropriate date.”A senior official from the Ministry of National Defense noted that the transition could take place in mid-2020s as Minister Han told his U.S. counterpart that Seoul will seek to develop its own Kill Chain preemptive strike and Korean Air and Missile Defense (KA

Oct 24, 2014

Allies agree to maintain status quo on OPCON

Dispute flares up over US base relocation plan

Residents of Okinawa Prefecture protest against the Yukio Hatoyama administration in Nago City in this May 4, 2010, file photo, calling for the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to outside of the prefecture. / Yonhap Function adjustment could help resolve Futenma controversyBy Jun Ji-hyeOKINAWA — Since the end of World War II, the presence of the U.S. military on this exotic island has long been a controversial issue.Thousands of local residents protest against the presence of a total of 32 U.S. military facilities on the island, citing noise, pollution, dangerous exercises conducted by U.S. troops, along with a number of crimes committed by soldiers based here.In particular, the Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, currently located near the densely populated Naha, is a focus of controversy due to the bungled actions of the administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.In 2010, he abandoned a pledge made while campaigning for office in which he promised to get the base moved off the island. The decision not to implement the pledge

Oct 20, 2014By Jun Ji-hye

Dispute flares up over US base relocation plan

Two Koreas trade fire at DMZ

By Yi Whan-wooSouth and North Korea exchanged fire Sunday afternoon after a group of the North’s soldiers approached the military demarcation line (MDL) snaking along the middle of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).“North Korean soldiers approached again near the MDL at 5:40 pm. We issued warnings first and then fired warning shots,” a JCS official said.  They came close to MDL at 8:10 a.m. but retreated after a warning was issued.No casualties were reported.The JCS said Army sentries fired additional shots as they found two bullets, presumably shot from the North, in one of their guard posts.The exchange of fire lasted for nearly 10 minutes.“We have not seen anything particular from the North Korean military since then. But we have maintained a close watch on their positions and reinforced military readiness in case of additional provocations,” the JCS official said.The military evacuated residents and tourists from the MDL near Paju, the JCS said.The two sides traded warning shots

Oct 19, 2014By Yi Whan-woo

US urges Pyongyang to cease provocations

Seoul, Washington to hold 2+2 security talks

South Korea and the United States plan to hold high-level security talks in Washington next week that will bring together the foreign and defense ministers of the two allies, diplomatic sources said Thursday.The "two plus two" meeting has been tentatively set for Thursday next week when the two countries hold their annual defense ministers' talks, known as the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), the sources said. Final fine-tuning is under way to fix the schedule, they said.It will be the third two plus two session for the two countries after the inaugural meeting in 2010 and the second one in 2012. Next week's meeting will involve South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, Defense Minister Han Min-koo and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.During the meeting, the two sides are expected to announce a deal on delaying the planned transfer of the wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces from Washington to Seoul while reaffirming joint efforts to strengthen combined defense capabilities.

Oct 17, 2014

Kim Jong-un makes 2nd appearance after absence

Defense