South Korea's Defense Minister Song Young-moo has held talks with his Indian counterpart, Nirmala Sitharaman, to discuss ways to expand bilateral ties and collaboration for North Korea's denuclearization, his office said Saturday.During the talks, which took place in India on Friday, they agreed to promptly hold the vice ministerial 2+2 dialogue involving the two countries' foreign and defense ministries, according to the Ministry of Defense. Song called for cooperation and support from the inte

 　The presidential office on Wednesday confirmed that President Moon Jae-in was briefed by Defense Minister Song Young-moo on the reform plan for the scandal-ridden military intelligence command during a closed-door meeting.　According to Cheong Wa Dae, Moon met with Song and senior presidential aides on Friday evening -- hours after the presidential office announced a plan to create a new military command to replace the Defense Security Command.　Following the announcement, the Defense Ministry s

Korea's defense ministry on Wednesday announced a plan to capitalize on big data, 3D printing, drones and other cutting-edge technologies to strengthen the military's logistical support capabilities.The plan is part of the Defense Reform 2.0 initiative aimed at creating a smaller yet smarter military capable of handling traditional and nontraditional security threats from inside and outside the peninsula.  (Yonhap)"So as to expand logistical support capabilities and efficiency, the defense minis

Investigators looking into the military intelligence unit’s alleged wrongdoings are seeking an extension and more personnel for the probe, local media reported Tuesday. According to reports citing unnamed Ministry of National Defense sources, the team requested Defense Minister Song Young-moo approve a 30-day extension on Tuesday.  Defense Security Command in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. YonhapThe team of military and civilian prosecutors is looking into allegations the Defense Security Command

South Korea’s Defense Minister Song Young-moo called for Turkey’s support for Seoul’s efforts to achieve denuclearization and lasting peace on the peninsula, his ministry said Tuesday.On Monday, Song held talks with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar in Ankara over a range of issues, including security on the peninsula and cooperation in the arms industry. He began a six-day trip Sunday, which will also take him to India later this week. Defense Minister Song Young-moo (L) shakes hands with his

The defense ministry launched a team Monday to prepare for the creation of a new command to supplant the scandal-ridden defense intelligence unit, long dogged by allegations of political interference.The launch is in line with President Moon Jae-in's order last Friday to dissolve and reorganize the Defense Security Command  following revelations that it explored the possibility of imposing martial law to quash anti-government protests last year.Lt. Gen. Nam Young-sin, the newly appointed command

A joint team consisting of civilians and military and government officials will be launched this week to investigate last month's marine chopper crash that killed five troops, a marine official said Monday.The team will begin operation on Wednesday with some 40 members, including 10 civilian experts recommended by the bereaved families and others selected by several state agencies such as the police and the land, infrastructure and transport ministry. It will be led by Kwon Jae-sang, emeritus pr

All members of an embattled military intelligence unit will return to their original outfits during its disbandment process, a government official said Sunday, a move aimed at facilitating the complete overhaul of the command marred by allegations of political interference.In line with President Moon Jae-in’s order Friday, the military authorities will disband and reorganize the Defense Security Command that has recently been criticized for its alleged review of the martial law imposition last y

South Korea's defense minister urged an embattled military intelligence unit Saturday to stay away from politics and give up a sense of privilege in order to regain trust from the public. Song Young-moo made the remarks during an inauguration ceremony for Lt. Gen. Nam Young-sin as the head of the Defense Security Command in the unit's headquarters, south of Seoul."I came to stand here with a heavier mind than ever," Song said. "I am seeing you with a sense of urgency that the DSC should be rebor

The defense ministry has revised its disciplinary action ordinance to strengthen protection for whistleblowers that expose corruption cases in the military establishment, officials said Friday.Under the revision that took effect on Wednesday, any uniformed officer or public official in the military who attempts to track down a whistleblower will face heavy punishments, including dismissal and expulsion. (Yonhap)Those who issue a directive to hunt down an internal informant or get involved in any

The government and the military will jointly develop military uniforms and supplies that fit best for Koreans by sharing and using big data, officials said Friday.The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Army Logistics Command will work together based on their memorandum of understanding to be finalized later in the day. (Yonhap)KATS will provide the technological elements that it has accrued through its "Size Korea" project, under

Defense Ministry announces broad reform plan for scandal-ridden military intelligence command

The Army used to be the indisputably dominant branch in South Korea's military for decades, with its retirees occupying key policymaking posts and its generals taking the helm of joint forces and defense intelligence operations.But it has experienced a dramatic reversal of fortunes over the past year, as its members have been mired in allegations of political interference that have sapped public confidence and troop morale, and prompted calls for reform.The waning of its influence was more palpa

WASHINGTON -- The United States Congress on Wednesday passed a defense authorization bill that restricts any drawdown of American troops in South Korea.The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act, which approves $716 billion for defense in fiscal year 2019, passed the Senate by a vote of 87-10 after passing through the House of Representatives last week.The bill has now been sent to US President Donald Trump to sign into law. (Yonhap)The legislation notes that about 28,500 American tro

Draped in white-and-blue United Nations flags, boxes of remains from the Korean War were unloaded from a group of vans one by one under the scorching sun at US Osan airbase in South Korea on Wednesday. A total of 55 boxes were then carried by the honor guard from the UN Command and loaded onto two C-17 Globalmaster cargo planes heading for Hawaii. Dozens of service members and a military honor guard lined up on the tarmac to mark the return of the fallen troops. After four F-16 fighter jets flew