Seoul, Tokyo hold first rescue drill in 9 years
South Korea and Japan held a bilateral search and rescue exercise in international waters southeast of Jeju Island on Sunday, marking the first such drill between the two countries in nine years amid efforts to rebuild defense ties. The maritime exercise, known as SAREX, is designed to rehearse joint procedures for responding to maritime emergencies involving distressed vessels and was held for the first time since December 2017. The South Korean Navy deplo
Seoul, Ottawa hold joint naval drills off Canadian coast
The South Korean and Canadian navies conducted joint maritime drills off Canada’s western coast from June 3 to 4, involving submarines, warships, and maritime aircraft from both countries, the South Korean Navy said Saturday. The exercises involved the South Korean Navy’s 3,000-ton Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine, the 3,100-ton frigate Daejeon and an AW-159 maritime helicopter. Canada deployed the 2,200-ton submarine Corner Brook, the 4,000-ton fri
Korean Navy to join RIMPAC, take first command role in multinational maritime exercise
South Korea’s Navy said Monday its Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great will depart for the Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC), marking the first time the service will assume a major command role in the U.S.-led multinational maritime drill. The 8,200-ton destroyer left Jeju Naval Base on Monday and will join the exercise, which will take place in waters off Hawaii from late June through July, according to the Navy. It will be the first RIMPAC particip
US House bill broadens guardrails against USFK troop cuts amid China rivalry
A new U.S. House defense bill seeks to strengthen congressional guardrails against any reduction of American troops in South Korea, at a time when the role of U.S. Forces Korea is increasingly being discussed in the broader context of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy and rivalry with China. The chairman’s mark of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, would amend a provision in the fiscal 2026 defense law that restricts the u
Chinese Embassy says USFK chief 'crossed the line' with 'dagger' remarks on Korea
The Chinese Embassy in Seoul has strongly criticized Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, after he described South Korea as a “dagger” in Asia from China’s strategic perspective. In a written response to reporters Thursday, the embassy said Brunson’s recent remarks portrayed South Korea and USFK as a forward base aimed at China, warning that he had “clearly crossed the line.” Brunson said in a U.S.
Defense Minister Ahn to attend Shangri-La Dialogue, meet Japanese counterpart
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back will attend the 23rd Asia Security Summit in Singapore from May 29 to 31 and hold talks with defense ministers from several countries, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday. The Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, is an annual security forum hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore, bringing together defense ministers and senior officials for multilatera
Hyundai Rotem wins state projects for AI-based unmanned military robots
Hyundai Rotem said Tuesday it has been selected for two state-funded research and development projects aimed at advancing unmanned robot technologies based on physical artificial intelligence. The company said it was chosen as the final contractor for two projects commissioned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). The industry ministry project focuses on developing control software that can manage multipl
USFK chief calls Korea a 'dagger' in Asia from China's strategic view
Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, has described South Korea as a “dagger” in the heart of Asia from China’s strategic perspective, underscoring the peninsula’s growing role in Washington’s broader efforts to counter Beijing. According to the U.S. Army War College website on Tuesday, Brunson made the remarks during a podcast hosted by the school on May 22. “When they look out from the East Coast of China,
Korea, India discuss expanding arms cooperation in first defense talks in 7 years
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back discussed ways to expand defense and defense industry cooperation with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in Seoul on Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said. During the meeting at the ministry’s headquarters in Seoul, the two ministers agreed to further broaden cooperation in defense and arms industry fields, building on the “joint strategic vision” adopted at last month’s summit between the lea
US suspends joint defense body with Canada as security tensions grow
The U.S. has suspended a key defense cooperation body with Canada as tensions with Ottawa widen into security ties. U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby said Monday that Washington would suspend activities of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense, or PJBD, a bilateral body responsible for coordinating military cooperation and defense policy between the United States and Canada, according to The Hill. The PJBD, which includes military offi