The Korea Herald

Seoul Defense Dialogue: New horizons for Korea’s diplomacy

Nov 13, 2013

During President Park Geun-hye’s recent visit to Southeast Asia, an agreement was made to install an ASEAN-Korea security dialogue. Now with the Seoul Defense Dialogue in Northeast Asia, a vice minister level dialogue platform is on track. The SDD has become the two wings of Korea’s multilateral security diplomacy. If we add a Korea-Eurasia security dialogue based on the Eurasia Initiative that President Park Geun-hye has proposed, we will be able to create an axis of multilateral security dialo
[Photo News] Defense forum

Nov 12, 2013
U.N. official cautions against Asia armament

Nov 12, 2013

The U.N. disarmament chief cautioned against increasing arms buildup in East Asia, calling for efforts to establish multilateral dialogue to improve mutual understanding and regional security.In a recent interview, Angela Kane, the high representative for Disarmament Affairs at the U.N., noted that under a collective security mechanism, military expenditures in Europe have decreased, whereas Asia appears to be moving in the opposite direction.“If you look at the armament expenditures in the regi
S. Korea can expect lower prices of F-35 fighter jets: expert

Nov 8, 2013

Seeking a new budget and vender for its next-generation fighter jet procurement program, South Korea may be offered lower prices of F-35s than Lockheed Martin originally proposed, a U.S. defense industry expert said Thursday.South Korea has delayed the selection of a winning bidder as it weighs the pros and cons of the F-35, Boeing's F-15SE and the Eurofighter Typhoon.Lockheed and Eurofighter were priced out of the contest, moving Boeing closer to clinching the US$7.4-billion deal.South Korea, f
Seoul to host international security forum next week

Nov 7, 2013

The Defense Ministry will hold an annual forum next week to discuss ways to boost mutual trust and cooperation among Asia-Pacific militaries, organizers said Thursday.The three-day Seoul Defense Dialogue 2013 will kick off in Seoul on Monday with nuclear proliferation, cyber security and regional comprehensive security cooperation architecture as the main agenda.The SDD will bring together some 180 participants from 21 countries, the U.N., EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organization, including ren
War Memorial honors late Adm. Sohn as hero

Nov 7, 2013

The War Memorial of Korea on Thursday held a ceremony to designate late Admiral Sohn Won-il, the country’s first chief of naval operations, as patriotic hero of the month.Some 200 Navy and Marine troops and top officials attended the ceremony in Seoul. Also at the event were Sohn’s family members, including his widow Hong Eun-hye and eldest son Sohn Myoung-won. The commemorative event for Sohn, often hailed as “the father of the Korean Navy,” came four days before the 68th anniversary of the Nav
PACOM chief says OPCON transfer timing itself not important

Nov 6, 2013

South Korea and the United States, which are now discussing the proper timing of an operational control (OPCON) transfer, should not be distracted from the important task of beefing up their joint combat posture, a top U.S. military commander said Tuesday.The allies will eventually make a "conditions-based" decision on whether to push back the schedule for the OPCON transition, currently set for 2015, said Adm. Samuel Locklear, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM)."Whether the decis
[Graphic News] 66% of Korea‘s arms imports brokered by private dealers

Nov 4, 2013

About two-thirds of Seoul’s weapons imports were brokered by private dealers, according to data from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The government purchased foreign weapons systems worth 16.7 trillion won ($15.7 billion) in total from 2007-12. Of the total, weapons worth some 11.41 trillion won, or 66.1 percent, were purchased through private dealers, while the rest were acquired through government-to-government transaction programs.
[Newsmaker] Defense Security Command mired in politics

Nov 3, 2013

The Defense Security Command is facing a sweeping reform after Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin reportedly directed it to abolish its practice of clandestinely reporting military intelligence to Cheong Wa Dae without his knowledge.Kim is said to have ordered the DSC to focus on supporting his leadership and carrying out its key missions to ensure security in the military and defense industry, and to prevent and investigate espionage and terrorism.Kim’s directives came after former DSC chief Jang Ky
Bulk of S. Korea’s arms imports brokered by private dealers

Nov 3, 2013

More than 66 percent of South Korea’s arms imports over the past six years were brokered by private dealers, data showed Sunday.According to the data by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the government bought 16.7 trillion won ($15.7 billion) worth of foreign arms and defense equipment in the 2007-12 period.Of the total arms import, some 11.41 trillion won, or 66.1 percent, were brokered by private dealers while 33.8 percent of them were acquired through the foreign military sales
S. Korea nearing decision to buy Northrop's Global Hawks

Nov 1, 2013

South Korea is poised to buy four Global Hawks from Northrop Grumman through the U.S. Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program, with a decision expected to come early next year, a government source said Friday.Seeking better surveillance capabilities on North Korea, Seoul has sought to buy the high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), obtaining sales approval for four airplanes from the U.S. government in April.But the higher-than-expected cost for four RQ-4 Block 30s, which was
Talks underway over S. Korea's requirements for missile defense: U.S. official

Nov 1, 2013

South Korea and the United States are discussing how Seoul can contribute more to regional missile defense, a senior U.S. official said.Rose Gottemoeller, acting under secretary of state for arms control and international security, emphasized bolstering missile defense in the region is crucial in promoting diplomatic efforts toward North Korea."The United States stands ready to work with the Republic of Korea (ROK) to strengthen its ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities," she said at a mu
Lockheed Martin touts F-35’s strengths in future combat

Oct 31, 2013

Executive stresses lower costs for acquisition and maintenance
Boeing remains optimistic that Seoul will select F-15 SE

Oct 30, 2013

Official expresses hope for Seoul to purchase blend of aircraft　
Seoul aerospace fair draws global aerospace giants, defense contractors

Oct 29, 2013

ILSAN -- An international aerospace and defense exhibition kicked off here on Tuesday for a six-day run with global aerospace giants and defense contractors participating to showcase their latest weapons systems and technologies.The Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) underway at the Korea International Exhibition Center (Kintex) in Ilsan, just north of Seoul, brings together 361 exhibitors from 28 countries seeking marketing opportunities for defense contractors and dipl