South Korea's military will expand the use of big data this year in predicting enemy threats and bolstering its defense readiness, the defense ministry said Tuesday.Defense officials, venture firms and experts gathered at a seminar in Seoul to discuss ways to further utilize big data in beefing up the military's defense capabilities against North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats, according to theMinistry of National Defense.     "This year, we are planning to set up a system to analyz

The United States and Japan have successfully carried out a missile interception test with a jointly developed interceptor missile, the US Missile Defense Agency said. The test took place off Hawaii early Saturday (Eastern Time), with the Aegis-equipped destroyer USS John Paul Jones shooting down a medium-range ballistic missile target with the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor missile, the agency said in a statement.The SM-3 Block IIA is being developed cooperatively by the United States and Japan to

The United States has approved a proposed sale to South Korea of two sets of advanced short-range missiles designed to arm fighter jets, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.South Korea had requested to buy 60 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II All-up-Round missiles, six guidance units and other associated support for $70 million. The country also asked to buy 89 AGM-65G-2 Maverick missiles, missile containers and other related elements for another $70 million, the agency said. F-16 fighter je

The US has proposed deploying its largest stealthy destroyer in South Korea as the allies are exploring ways to better deter North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats, Seoul’s Defense Ministry said Monday.During a meeting with South Korean lawmakers last month in Hawaii, Adm. Harry Harris, commander of the US Pacific Command, floated the idea of the USS Zumwalt being stationed at Jeju Island or Jinhae, homes to South Korea‘s naval bases on the southern tip of the peninsula, ministry spok

United States Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has proposed maintaining around-the-clock communication with South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo in a bid to tighten the countries' alliance further against North Korea, a military source said Sunday."Secretary Mattis suggested to Minister Han (they) communicate closely around the clock and all year round during their defense ministerial talks on Friday," the source said, referring to the defense chiefs' recent meeting in Seoul."Han responded that

The defense chiefs of Seoul and Washington on Friday vowed to deploy an advanced US anti-missile system here as planned this year to better counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, dismissing the claims of China and Russia that it is directed at them. During their bilateral talks, South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his US counterpart James Mattis reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance, warning North Korea of an “overwhelming response” should it stage additional military

US Defense Secretary James Mattis on Thursday reaffirmed plans to deploy its advanced missile defense system in South Korea this year “without a hitch,” singling out North Korea’s nuclear and missile program as a top priority for the new Donald Trump administration.   Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn (Right) shakes hands with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis at the Government Building in Seoul on Feb. 2, 2017. Mattis began his two-day visit to South Korea in his first oversea

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis departed for South Korea on Wednesday in his highly symbolic first overseas trip designed to underscore the US security commitment to the Asian ally in the face of a saber-rattling North Korea.The trip, which also includes a stop in Japan later this week, comes as tensions are running high on the Korean Peninsula after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the country is close to test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile apparently capable of reaching the U

Two 'Wildcat' maritime helicopters stood ready to take off from the deck of the amphibious landing ship Dokdo, with a third one on standby on a frigate in a naval drill in South Korea's southern sea off Geoje Island on Wednesday morning.With scores of reporters watching from the 14,000-ton amphibious ship's bridge, the three AW-159 Wildcat choppers flew one by one to show how they work together with frigates or maritime patrol aircraft to detect and attack enemy submarines.During the drill, an A

South Korea’s military chief on Wednesday called for US strategic assets to be stationed here, saying the two allies needed to take “strong measures” against North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. During a 20-minute phone call, Lee Sun-jin, chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, made a request to his US counterpart, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford that Washington deploy strategic assets, including nuclear-capable bombers and aircraft carriers, on the Korean Peninsula this year. “

The United States plans to deploy 12 F-16 fighter planes to South Korea this month, the US Pacific Air Forces Command said Wednesday, Washington's first deployment of military assets since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump."Approximately 200 airmen and 12 F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 119th Fighter Squadron from Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, New Jersey, are set to deploy in February to Osan Air Base" in South Korea, the command said on its website.The US Pacific Air Forces

The military chiefs of South Korea and the United States on Wednesday reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to forming a strong joint defense posture against North Korea's provocations, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.Gen. Lee Sun-jin, the chairman of the JCS, stressed the need to strengthen deterrence against North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats during his phone talks with his US counterpart Gen. Joseph Dunford, the military said."They determined that an acute security

The defense chiefs of South Korea and the US on Tuesday agreed to deploy an advanced US missile defense system this year as planned, despite persistent objections from China and rising political uncertainties here. During a 30-minute phone call, Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his US counterpart James Mattis also pledged an “overwhelming response” should North Korea commit a long-range missile test in line with leader Kim Jong-un’s New Year’s speech.The conversation came three days ahead of the

The outgoing chief of the Constitutional Court insisted Tuesday that the impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye should end as soon as possible in line with the wishes of the people.Park Han-chul made the remark during his retirement ceremony, ending a six-year term as a member of the nine-member bench, just days after he first raised the need to deliver a ruling by March 13, the retirement date of fellow Justice Lee Jung-mi. He voiced concern at the time that an additional vacancy on the b

Defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States on Tuesday reaffirmed the planned deployment of an advanced missile defense system this year to counter growing threats from North Korea.Defense Minister Han Min-koo and US Defense Secretary James Mattis talked over the phone to confirm that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system will be placed in South Korea this year as scheduled and the allies will maintain full readiness to counter any aggression by the North, the Ministry of Nation