The Korea Herald

Only one-third of U.S. soldiers to remain at Yongsan Garrison: official

Oct 26, 2014

The number of American soldiers at the main U.S. military base in central Seoul is expected to be reduced by two-thirds to around 200 despite a postponement in the transfer of a major military authority, a South Korean defense ministry official said Sunday.South Korea and the United States agreed Thursday to delay again a plan to give Seoul wartime control of its troops. In accordance with the agreement, several facilities, such as the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) headquarters
Kerry: 'Entirely premature' to talk about U.S. troop reduction in S. Korea

Oct 25, 2014

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday it is "entirely premature" to talk about any reduction in American troop levels in South Korea as a possible benefit of North Korea's abandonment of its nuclear program.Kerry made his most recent remarks at a joint news conference with his South Korean counterpart, Yun Byung-se, tamping down speculation that arose after he said earlier this week that the U.S. is "prepared to begin the process of reducing the need for American force and presence in t
S. Korea has firm will to retake wartime command from U.S.: Seoul minister

Oct 24, 2014

South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Thursday his country has a firm willingness to reassume wartime command of its troops from the United States, vowing efforts to become capable of effectively countering North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.Han made the remarks after holding the annual security meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Chuck Hagel, during which the allies agreed to delay the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), with no new date set.It has sparked suspicion
OPCON transfer continues tortuous history

Oct 24, 2014

South Korea and the U.S. have been seeking the transfer of wartime operational control as the former strives to bolster its self-defense capabilities and the latter looking to reduce its security burden.The change would transfer the authority to lead wartime military operations, but it does not include control of administrative affairs, including logistics and the appointment and management of personnel.In 2007, the allies first agreed to make the OPCON transfer on April 17, 2012 ― the reverse o
Allies to delay wartime troop control transfer

Oct 24, 2014

South Korea and the U.S. agreed Thursday to a “conditions-based” transfer of wartime operational control in light of evolving North Korean threats, finalizing their decision to delay the transfer, previously scheduled for December 2015. They did not set a date for the transition.The allies also agreed to station their Combined Forces Command in its current location in central Seoul until the OPCON transition, and retain the 210 Fire Brigade, the U.S.’ key counterfire unit, north of Seoul until t
Korea-U.S. pacts to bolster deterrence against N.K threats

Oct 24, 2014

A series of agreements made at the annual security talks between South Korea and the U.S. on Thursday are expected to bolster deterrence against North Korea, and give Seoul more time to build up its capabilities to ensure a stable transfer of wartime operational control, analysts said Thursday.But some critics argued that the decision to further delay the OPCON transition could undermine Seoul’s efforts to reduce its excessive reliance on the U.S. and restrain its strategic options regarding its
Navy launches new frigate Chungbuk

Oct 23, 2014

The Navy launched Thursday a new frigate named Chungbuk as it continues to churn out next-generation escort Navy ships.Jung Ho-sup, vice chief of naval operations, and other Navy officials joined the ceremony marking the launch of the 2,300-ton frigate, held at STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. in Changwon, a city in the south of the country.The new frigate is the fifth addition as part of the Navy's project to build next-generation escort ships, following the first named Incheon, launched in 2011
Senior Army officer arrested for sexual assault

Oct 22, 2014

An Army lieutenant colonel was arrested Wednesday on charges of sexually assaulting and harassing a female officer on several occasions, the Army said Wednesday.The 48-year-old lieutenant colonel, whose name was withheld to the media, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the female officer in a motel in September after they drank alcohol together. He is also purported to have sexually harassed her in his office and car several times.“Currently, we are safely protecting the victim and will do ou
Korean defense chief embarks on trip to U.S. for OPCON talks

Oct 22, 2014

South Korea’s defense chief left for the United States on Wednesday for talks with his U.S. counterpart to finalize the time frame and conditions for Seoul’s takeover of wartime command from Washington, the defense ministry said Monday.During his three-day trip, Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo will meet U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in Washington on Thursday (Washington time) for the 46th Security Consultative Meeting, the allies’ annual defense chiefs’ talks.High on the agenda
S. Korean defense chief embarks on trip to U.S. for OPCON talks

Oct 22, 2014

South Korea's defense chief left for the United States on Wednesday for talks with his U.S. counterpart to finalize the time frame and conditions for Seoul's takeover of wartime command from Washington, the defense ministry said Monday.During his three-day trip, Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo will meet U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in Washington on Thursday (Washington time) for the 46th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), the allies' annual defense chiefs' talks.High on the a
S. Korea to deploy low-altitude radar system amid N. Korean drone threat

Oct 21, 2014

South Korea will deploy a low-altitude radar system late this year to guard the country against low-elevation military penetrations such as North Korean drones, defense officials said Tuesday.Starting at the end of this year, the military will deploy three-dimension low-altitude radars, developed by local defense firm LIG Nex 1, for actual combat position, according to the officials.These local radars are specialized in detecting and tracking aircrafts flying at low altitudes such as AN-2, a wid
Seoul to host regional security forum next week

Oct 21, 2014

South Korea plans to hold a regional security forum next week that will be attended by China for the first time, the defense ministry here said Tuesday.The 3rd Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) will be held for a three-day run from Oct. 29 at a hotel in Seoul, bringing together vice defense ministers and security experts from 26 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the Ministry of National Defense said. In the forum, the officials will discuss ways to tighten trust among Asian-Pacific nations' milit
S. Korean foreign, defense chiefs to leave for U.S. for security talks

Oct 21, 2014

South Korea's foreign and defense ministers plan to leave for the United States this week to attend a security meeting with their counterparts from Washington slated for later this week, officials said Tuesday.Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Defense Minister Han Min-koo will fly to the U.S. on Wednesday to hold a so-called "two plus two" meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel Thursday afternoon (Washington Time) in the U.S. capital, according to go
N.K. hostilities appear designed to gain leverage

Oct 20, 2014

The recent series of provocative moves by North Korea appear to be aimed at raising pressure on the South to settle bilateral security issues including the issue of anti-Pyongyang leaflets in its own favor, analysts said Monday.From violating the Northern Limit Line, a de facto sea border, to shooting at balloons filled with anti-North Korea leaflets and launched by South Korean civic groups, the North’s aggressive military responses in recent weeks have sharply raised tensions on the peninsula.
Koreas fail to narrow gap

Oct 15, 2014

Seoul proposes holding high-level talks on Oct. 30