The Korea Herald

[Photo News] A new hope

Feb 6, 2014
N.K. demands allies cancel military drills

Feb 6, 2014

Seoul, Washington will go ahead with joint exercises despite threats
[Graphic News] China rises as formidable military spender

Feb 5, 2014

A recent report from Britain’s defense consulting firm IHS Jane’s estimated that China’s defense spending for 2014 would amount to around $148 billion, an increase of 6.3 percent from a year ago.In the report on the world’s defense budgets, China ranked second after the U.S. whose defense budget for this year is estimated at $574.9 billion, a decrease of 1.3 percent from last year.China’s defense budget reaches the combined budgets of the three major traditional military powers in Europe ― the U
Military to step up handling of sexual assault cases

Feb 5, 2014

The defense ministry said Wednesday it has revised disciplinary rules to tighten punishment on sexual misconduct among servicemembers and civilian personnel to curb sex crimes.Under the new rules, military judicial officials will take charge of investigating cases of sexual harassment and assault, including rape, involving servicemembers, as well as those who are caught buying sexual services.The disciplinary committee must include female members to decide the level of punishment to better refle
S. Korean defense chief, U.S. Cyber Command leader discuss cyber security

Feb 4, 2014

The commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency visited Seoul to meet with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin to discuss cyber security issues, the defense ministry here said Tuesday.U.S. Army Gen. Keith Alexander made a one-day visit to Seoul on Monday after his stop in Japan, as part of his trip to close allies before stepping down in March. The four-star general last year announced his plan to retire after the NSA was rocked by the worldwide spying sca
S. Korea, Ukraine hold first joint anti-piracy drills

Feb 4, 2014

South Korea and Ukraine held their first joint anti-piracy drills in waters off the Somali coast to improve interoperability of the two nations' navies, the Joint Chiefs of Staff here said Tuesday.South Korea's 4,400-ton destroyer and Ukraine's 3,500-ton naval escort ship carried out a series of events Saturday that included Underwater Demolition Teams and Navy SEALs of both nations taking part in onboard search-and-seizure drills, live-fire proficiency and aviation operations, the JCS said.Afte
S. Korean aerobatic team to attend Singapore Airshow

Feb 3, 2014

South Korea's military aerobatic team will attend Asia's largest air show in Singapore next week with a squadron of eight T-50B trainer jets, the Air Force said Monday.The Black Eagles aerobatic team departed Jeju International Airport on the southern resort island on Saturday to participate in the Singapore Airshow, slated for Feb. 11-16 at the Changi Exhibition Center.The South Korean team will put on an action-packed performance with the T-50B, a family of T-50 supersonic trainer jets jointly
S. Korean Navy forces depart for military exercise in Thailand

Feb 2, 2014

A group of South Korean Navy and Marine forces left for Thailand to participate in a multilateral Pacific military exercise led by the United States and Thailand, the Navy said Sunday.The group of 170 Navy forces and 216 Marine Corps troops, equipped with a 2,600-ton landing ship and amphibious assault vehicles, departed the southern port of Jinhae earlier in the day, according to the Navy.The South Korean forces will arrive at the Thai port of Sattahip on Feb. 11 and take part in the annual Cob
Seoul, Washington sign new defense cost sharing pact

Feb 2, 2014

South Korea and the United States signed their new pact Sunday on sharing the costs of keeping American troops in South Korea, the foreign ministry here said.Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Sung Kim signed the renewal of the Special Measure Agreement, aimed at jointly footing the cost of stationing the 28,500 United States Forces Korea troops, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.After the signing, the pact will be submitted to the National Assembly for a
S. Korea sees no unusual movements in N. Korea's military

Jan 30, 2014

North Korea showed no signs of unusual military movements on Thursday as it continued its winter military drills, a South Korean military official said."Any unusual movements have not been spotted," the official said.The drills come after the North proposed that the rival Koreas halt "all acts of provoking and slandering" from Jan. 30, a day before the Lunar New Year's Day, a major holiday celebrated by both Koreas.The North has temporarily stopped sending propaganda leaflets through the western
N.K. demands cancellation of South’s live-fire drills

Jan 28, 2014

North Korea on Monday called on South Korea to cancel its maritime live-fire drills planned for Tuesday, warning of “stern consequences,” Seoul’s Ministry of National Defense said.The North’s National Defense Commission sent a fax to the South’s National Security Office in Cheong Wa Dae through the western military communication channel protesting the regular drills in the West Sea near the inter-Korean sea border.Seoul pushed ahead with the drills in the afternoon.“Seoul also sent a fax to the
U.S. Senate approves 2-year extension of S. Korea-U.S. nuclear pact

Jan 28, 2014

The U.S. Senate on Monday passed a bill on extending the current agreement with South Korea on civilian nuclear cooperation by two years.The bill, effectively approved unanimously, authorizes President Barack Obama to extend the term of the nuclear energy agreement with South Korea until March 19, 2016.Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from Nevada declared the passage of the bill through the floor, citing no opposition from any senator.Rep. Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affa
S. Korea to finalize F-35 deal in Q3

Jan 27, 2014

South Korea plans to sign a government-to-government deal to buy 40 F-35 jets from U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin during the third quarter of this year, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Monday.The state-run arms procurement agency approved the plan to buy 40 F-35 fighters starting from 2018, with an option to buy 20 more later depending on the security situation and budget. Seoul confirmed the decision two months after it voted down Boeing’s F-15 Silent Eagle, the only a
U.S. Army cavalry regiment to arrive in S. Korea

Jan 27, 2014

U.S. Army infantry soldiers will arrive in South Korea this week to begin their nine-month mission as part of the rotational force to improve joint readiness against North Korea, U.S. Forces Korea said Monday.About 800 American soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment in Texas are set to arrive at Osan Air Base, south of Seoul, on Wednesday, the 2nd Infantry Division said."The addition of a Combined Arms Battalion makes the 2nd Infantry Division a more agile and lethal force, more
S. Korean Navy to attend international mine removal exercise

Jan 27, 2014

South Korea will participate in a multinational mine removal exercise that's designed to protect commerce and maritime infrastructure in the Western Pacific region with 13 other nations in New Zealand, the Navy said Monday.The International Mine Counter Measures Exercise, the largest of its kind in the region, practices a wide spectrum of defense operations aimed at protecting international commerce and trade, including mine countermeasures and maritime security operations.This year's exercise w