The Korea Herald

White House: U.S. to ensure THAAD maximizes protection, minimizes inconvenience

Jul 22, 2016

The United States will work closely with South Korea to deploy the THAAD missile defense system in a way that maximizes the protection it provides and minimizes any inconvenience it causes, the White House said Thursday."This is a highly sophisticated anti-ballistic missile defense system in South Korea to protect our allies from the missile threat emanating North Korea," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said at a regular press briefing."So we are certainly going to work closely with the
KAI presents MRO business plan to gov't

Jul 21, 2016

Korea's sole aircraft manufacturer, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., said Thursday that it has submitted to the land and transport ministry its business plan for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul after about 18 months of preparation. The submission, the first of its kind, was made the previous day after the ministry announced a plan in January last year to nurture the MRO industry by providing tailored support for the launch of an MRO consortium, including an airline, and the creation of
Korea military says THAAD could intercept Rodong missiles fired at steep angle

Jul 21, 2016

South Korea's military said Thursday that the advanced U.S. anti-missile system that will be in place by the end of 2017 can intercept a mid-range Rodong ballistic missile fired at a steep angle and heading for the southern port city of Busan.The defense ministry's analysis comes a day after the North said it conducted its latest ballistic missile launch with the aim of practicing pre-emptive strikes against ports and airfields in the South. "Even if North Korea intentionally fires a mid-range R
[FACT CHECK] THAAD, capacity and limitations

Jul 21, 2016

Since the announcement of the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system here, the talk of town has been its possible hazardous effects on the health of those living near the deployment site. The efficacy and capacity of the advanced missile defense system have also been topics of debate, with pundits, military officials and the public discussing what THAAD can and cannot do.THAAD is designed to target ballistic missiles at higher altitudes in their terminal stages, most likely
Seongju residents hold rally in Seoul to oppose THAAD deployment

Jul 21, 2016

Residents of the southern town of Seongju staged a rally in downtown Seoul, Thursday, to protest against the government's decision to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defense system in their county.Around 2,000 residents gathered in the capital city to express their concerns about the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.The protesters also wore distinct blue ribbons amid concerns that anti-government activists who are not residents of Seongju would join the related rallie
Park defends THAAD deployment plan again

Jul 21, 2016

President Park Geun-hye on Thursday defended the recent decision by Seoul and Washington to deploy an advanced U.S. antimissile system here, stressing she won't bow to "criticism and resistance" to protect the nation.Presiding over a session of the National Security Council, Park vowed to devise "all necessary measures" to protect the nation from North Korea's persistent military threats, ordering her government to be fully ready to "strongly retaliate" if provoked.President Park Geun-hye presid
Army chief to visit Korean solders in UAE, Lebanon

Jul 21, 2016

Korea's Army chief of staff will visit two Korean military contingents in the Middle East from July 21-26 to boost troop morale and meet local military officials to strengthen bilateral ties, the military said Thursday. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Jang Jun-gyu will make a six-day trip to the Dongmyung Unit in Lebanon and the Akh Unit in the United Arab Emirates. There he will not only give pep talks to the troops but also work to expand bilateral cooperation between South Korea and the two countrie
Park to convene NSC session over N.K. provocations

Jul 21, 2016

President Park Geun-hye will convene a session of the National Security Council on Thursday to check South Korea's security posture following North Korea's missile provocations earlier this week, her office Cheong Wa Dae said."The president will preside over the NSC meeting to check the security situation vis-a-vis North Korea's recent provocations and threats, including the ballistic missile launches (this week)," presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk told reporters. President Park Geun-hye spea
‘U.S. received no complaints on Guam THAAD’

Jul 20, 2016

GUAM -- A U.S. congresswoman told the South Korean media that the military has received no complaints related to the Terminal High Area Altitude Defense system deployed in the U.S. territory of Guam.Madeleine Bordallo, the delegate from Guam to the U.S. House of Representatives, said that the people of Guam have welcomed the THAAD deployment and have not complained at all over having the system there.In an interview with visiting South Korean journalists, she said that threats from North Korea h
S. Korea's top brass convenes emergency meeting on N.K. provocations

Jul 20, 2016

South Korea's military on Wednesday held an emergency meeting of top commanders from all service branches to discuss ways to better deal with North Korea's relentless military provocations, including the latest missile launch, officials said. In the video conference call held at Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff, top commanders from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps said they are expecting additional military provocations from the North ahead of the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian joint military dr
Local THAAD will not be incorporated into wider U.S.-led MD system: defense chief

Jul 20, 2016

Korea's defense minister said Wednesday that the planned deployment of an advanced U.S. anti-missile system is for self-defense and will not be incorporated into the wider U.S. missile defense system. Defense Minister Han Min-koo's remarks made at the National Assembly policy review session come after speculations that the deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system in Korea will invariably lead to the country becoming part of the Washington-led MD system which is seen by some a
State academy chief refutes concerns of China's economic retaliation over THAAD

Jul 20, 2016

Korea's deployment of the anti-ballistic missile defense system is not likely to result in economic retaliation from China, the head of the state diplomacy academy said Wednesday.Earlier this month, South Korea and the United States officially announced their decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery in the southern county of Seongju by next year to deal with North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats.China opposes the deployment plan, which it believes will sig
THAAD row heats up Assembly questioning

Jul 19, 2016

An intense debate took place at the National Assembly on Tuesday over the Seoul government’s decision to have the U.S. station its missile defense system here, as the rival parties and the government relayed polarized views on the plan’s potential domestic, military and diplomatic impact.Citing North Korea’s test-firing of three missiles earlier in the day, the administration and the ruling Saenuri Party stressed the need for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system to safeguard the South
Korea Navy to build 1st dedicated training ship by 2020

Jul 19, 2016

Korea's Navy will build a dedicated training ship by 2020 to help sailors become accustomed to various weapons systems, sensors and tactics before they are sent to front-line warships, the state defense procurement agency said Tuesday.On June 28, Defense Acquisition Program Administration placed a 260 billion-won ($228 million) order with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. on behalf of the Navy. The country's top shipbuilder plans to deliver the 4,500-ton training vessel by 2020."The training ship wil
PM says THAAD deployment does not require parliamentary nod

Jul 19, 2016

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Tuesday said the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system does not call for parliamentary approval, reiterating his previous stance on the matter despite demands being made by some opposition lawmakers."Currently, there are numerous weapon systems deployed by U.S.military in Korea. They are stationed here on the basis of the Seoul-Washington defense agreement," Hwang said during a parliamentary session.He added that the decision to deploy the Termina