The Korea Herald

Allies agree on new combined command

Jun 2, 2013

Plan may be finalized at SCM in October but will still need political approval
S. Korea, U.S. defense chiefs vow strong alliance against N. Korea

Jun 2, 2013

The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States on Saturday vowed to maintain strong alliance to deter potential threats from North Korea eager to arm itself with missile and nuclear weapons.South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin met his American counterpart Chuck Hagel on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue under way in Singapore. It was their first meeting since the Pentagon chief took office in February. "We have to develop the bilateral alliance so we can have joint deterren
[Photo News] Joint drill

May 30, 2013
U.S. taps female commander for its naval forces in Korea

May 29, 2013

The U.S. has named a woman to command its naval forces in South Korea.The Pentagon announced Tuesday the decision to appoint Capt. Lisa M. Franchetti, who has been selected for promotion to rear admiral, to the position.She is currently serving as military assistant to the secretary of the Navy. It would be the first time that the U.S. will have a female commander for U.S. Naval Forces Korea, according to a defense source here. "Capt. Franchetti has a good reputation in the U.S. Navy and she is
[Graphic News] Seoul plans to purchase U.S. weapons worth $800 million

May 26, 2013

Seoul has notified Washington of its intention to purchase weapons systems worth $800 million to be mounted on its new fleet of warplanes should a U.S. fighter be picked for its 8.3-trillion-won ($7.4 billion) acquisition project. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which handles Washington’s foreign military sales, revealed Seoul’s request to buy high-tech arms such as Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and GBU-39 bunker busters.Last month, Seoul made a se
Navy to buy 20 patrol aircraft

May 26, 2013

The South Korean military has approved a plan to buy 20 maritime patrol aircraft to improve the Navy’s surveillance capabilities of North Korea, a military source said Sunday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff has recently approved the Navy’s request to add 20 maritime patrol aircraft to supplement the aging squadron of 16 Lockheed Martin P-3C Orions.“The Defense Acquisition Program Administration is currently working on a plan, which is likely to be an overseas purchase program,” the source said, askin
U.S. Air Force offering data for S. Korea seeking to buy fighter jets

May 25, 2013

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) -- A close partnership between the air forces of South Korea and the United States will continue regardless of which model Seoul picks for its next-generation fighter jets, a senior U.S. official said Friday."They are strong partners and allies and I think will remain so in any situation going forward," Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said in a Pentagon press briefing.South Korea is in the process of selecting a contractor for the supply of 60 advanced jets to
U.S. announces possible sale of weapons for F-35, F-15 to Korea

May 24, 2013

The U.S. government has notified Congress of possible sales to South Korea of armament for the F-35 or F-15 SE, one of which may be selected as South Korea's new fighter jet, according to a Pentagon agency Thursday.South Korea plans to purchase 60 advanced jets to replace its aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s. The three competitors for the contract, worth about 8.3 trillion won ($7.4 billion), are Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth jet, Boeing's F-15 SE and the Eurofighter Tranche 3 from European Aerospa
EADS offers $2 bln investment on Korean fighter jet project

May 23, 2013

The European Aerospace Defense and Space Company (EADS) on Thursday offered to invest US$2 billion in South Korea's long-delayed fighter jet development project if it wins Seoul's jet procurement deal.The multinational defense firm made the offer as its Eurofighter Tranche 3 has been competing with Lockheed Martin'sF-35 stealth jet and Boeing's F-15 Silent Eagle for the 8.3 trillion won ($7.3 billion) contract to replace the South Korean Air Force's aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s.The EADS also pro
[Photo News] Aboard Korean-made chopper

May 22, 2013
President pledges full support for boosting defense industry

May 22, 2013

President Park Geun-hye reaffirmed Wednesday that South Korea would not provide any concessions or assistance in response to North Korean saber-rattling. “During my visit to the U.S., President (Barack) Obama and I clearly stated that we will sternly counter any provocation by North Korea but have the doors to dialogue open at all times,” Park said, referring to the May 7 summit talks in Washington.She made the remarks during a ceremony to deploy Korea Aerospace Industries’ Surion, South Korea’s
Seoul to offer humanitarian aid to N.K. if dialogue reopens

May 22, 2013

South Korea will seek to rebuild trust with North Korea by offering humanitarian aid to Pyongyang if inter-Korean dialogue is reopened, a top security official said, despite months of high tensions triggered by the North’s nuclear test. Ju Chul-ki, the senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security, told senior diplomats on Tuesday that Seoul is willing to “present several proposals to North Korea if (inter-Korean) dialogue resumes.” The remarks by Ju were in line with P
Lt. Gen. Johnson receives national security medal

May 20, 2013

The Seoul government on Monday awarded outgoing U.S. Eighth Army Commander Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson an order of national security merit for his contribution to maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin gave Johnson the Gukseon Medal ― the second highest medal that can be awarded to a three-star-level military officer ― during a ceremony at the ministry in Seoul.Johnson has led the Eighth Army since November 2010 and is to leave office next
South Korea deploys Israeli Spike missiles

May 19, 2013

South Korea has deployed to its western frontline islands the Israeli-made Spike missiles capable of launching precision strikes on North Korea’s coastal artillery pieces hidden in mountain caves and tunnels, Seoul officials said Sunday.“We have recently deployed scores of Spike missiles and vehicles to carry them to the border islands including Bangnyeongdo and Yeonpyeongdo,” an official at Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters, declining to be named.“In case of a contingency, the missil
U.S. navy chief visits Korea

May 19, 2013

U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert visited South Korea last week to discuss the allies’ naval cooperation and exchanges to better deter North Korea’s provocations, Seoul officials said Sunday.On Thursday, the first day of his two-day schedule, Greenert visited the South Korean Navy’s Second Fleet in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, to pay his respects to the 46 fallen sailors of the corvette Cheonan. The wreckage of the 1,200-ton vessel is on display at the naval base. The No