The Korea Herald

RIMPAC not targeting N.K., China, U.S. says

Jul 4, 2012

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― As they conduct the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise, the U.S., South Korea and 20 other nations are not taking direct aim at either China or North Korea, a top American Navy officer said Tuesday.“RIMPAC is not focused on any specific geographic area within the Pacific,” Vice Adm. Gerald Beaman, commander of the U.S. Third Fleet, said during a teleconference with Asian reporters. “It’s an opportunity for all of us to come together to really improve inter
AirSea Battle aims to neutralize anti-access capabilities

Jul 4, 2012

To tackle anti-access challenges, the U.S. is now fleshing out a new military operational concept ― the “AirSea Battle.” The concept is to conduct integrated aerial and naval operations across all domains such as air, maritime, space and cyberspace to neutralize “anti-access/area denial” capabilities.It is comparable to the successful “AirLand Battle” concept that undergirded America’s war-fighting doctrine to contain the armed forces of the former Soviet-led Warsaw Pact from the 1980s to the 19
New guidance indicates departure from ‘two-war’ strategy

Jul 4, 2012

The new U.S. defense guidance puts forward a new war strategy in an apparent departure from its “Two Major Regional Conflicts” concept.The MRC is designed to win two major wars in two different regions ― a strategy that experts say is no longer suitable for the debt-ridden U.S., which is struggling with public fatigue from a decade of costly warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan.The U.S. created the strategy after the end of the Cold War to equip its military with the capability to fight and win two m
Defense Ministry kept silent on initialing information pact with Japan since April,

Jul 4, 2012

The Ministry of National Defense’s decision to withhold the fact that the military information sharing agreement with Japan was initiated in April is further fueling the controversy over the South Korean government’s handing of the issue.On Tuesday, the Defense Ministry revealed that a provisional version of the General Security of Military Information Agreement with Japan was initiated by the deputy chief of the international policy bureau Brig. Gen. Shin Kyung-soo and Japanese foreign ministry
S. Korea to halt talks on logistics deal with Japan

Jul 3, 2012

South Korea plans to call off discussions on a military logistics accord with Japan, a government source here said Tuesday, as Seoul deals with the aftermath of a controversial attempt to sign a separate military intelligence-sharing deal with Tokyo.The source said relevant government ministries are "building consensus" toward stopping talks on the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).
Aerobatics team wins first prize in U.K. air show

Jul 3, 2012

The Korean Air Force aerobatics team Black Eagles won first prize in the display category of the Waddington International Air Show, the Air Force announced Tuesday.The Black Eagles is the Air Force’s official flight display team that operates the locally developed T-50 trainer jets. The Waddington International Air Show is the largest air show organized by the U.K.’s Royal Air Force, and the first international event the Black Eagles participated in. According to the Air Force, the display compe
Defense Ministry initiated pact with Japan in April

Jul 3, 2012

The government belatedly admitted on Tuesday that it signed a provisional military intelligence pact with Japan in April but kept it under wraps for more than two months.Korea postponed its official signing scheduled for Friday amid criticism that the government surreptitiously handled the highly sensitive first-ever defense pact with Tokyo.Earlier on Tuesday the opposition Democratic United Party claimed that the Defense Ministry had already initialized the General Security of Military Informat
S. Korea-Japan military pact tentatively signed in April: officials

Jul 3, 2012

South Korea had already signed a provisional military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan in late April, but didn't report it to the National Assembly, Seoul officials confirmed Tuesday.The tentative agreement on sharing delicate military intelligence was signed on April 23 in Tokyo between Army Brig.Gen. Shin Kyung-soo, the deputy chief of international policy at Seoul's defense ministry, and Ke
Defense Ministry asks for 7.6% increase

Jul 2, 2012

The Defense Ministry has requested a 7.6 percent increase in next year’s budget as it seeks to introduce aerial refueling aircraft and a low-altitude radar system as well as strengthen other areas.The ministry announced Monday that it has submitted the 35.47 trillion won ($31.03 billion) proposal to the Ministry of Finance and Strategy. The request includes 10.99 trillion won for Defense Acquisition Program Administration projects aimed at improving the country’s military capabilities. It marks
Military to improve conditions for troops

Jul 2, 2012

The number of barracks shared only by soldiers with the same date of enlistment will be increased as part of plans to improve the conditions for those serving the mandatory military service, the Ministry of National Defense announced Monday. Under the plans, barracks equipped with beds will house only those with the same enlistment date, while facilities with sleeping platforms will house soldiers of the same rank or those who enlisted on the same day. Since 2003, the military has been fitting b
Seoul, Beijing to discuss disaster relief cooperation

Jul 2, 2012

The South Korean and Chinese militaries will discuss signing a memorandum of understanding on mutual assistance on disaster relief, the Ministry of National Defense announced Monday.The ministry said that its logistics chief Lee Sang-wook will discuss the matter with his Chinese counterpart during the eighth Korea-China military logistics conference in China.The plans to sign an MOU on collaborating in disaster relief operations was first discussed by Korea’s Minister of National Defense Kim Kwa
S. Korea to press ahead with military pact with Japan

Jul 2, 2012

South Korea will press ahead with the signing of a landmark military pact with Japan after briefing the National Assembly about it, a senior official said Monday, dismissing speculation the sensitive accord could be scrapped altogether due to mounting public criticism.On Friday, the government put the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) on hold at the last minute – just an
Seoul smarts after Japan pact fiasco

Jul 1, 2012

The postponed military accord between Korea and Japan faces a rough ride as a public and political backlash driven by anti-Japanese sentiment is expected to persist in a pivotal election year. In a major diplomatic embarrassment, Seoul called off a signing ceremony at the last minute on Friday for the General Security of Military Information Agreement, designed to facilitate the exchange of intelligence on North Korea and search-and-rescue-related operations.The main opposition Democratic United
Seoul-Tokyo military pact would be 'useful,' U.S. says

Jun 30, 2012

The U.S. government said Friday that a Seoul-Tokyo accord on sharing military information, if signed, will be "useful, but it maintained a largely cautious stance on the sensitive bilateral issue."Such agreements would be useful but we recognize that this is a bilateral issue for the ROK and Japan," a State Department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency on the customary condition of anonymity. “T
Questions remain 10 years after naval clash in West Sea

Jun 28, 2012

President to pay personal tribute to six sailors killed by N.K. attackOn the morning of June 29, 2002, a North Korean warship crossed the inter-Korean maritime border in the West Sea escorting fishing boats. A South Korean patrol boat confronted it and issued warnings over loudspeaker. The soldiers thought it would withdraw soon, much like the North’s navy vessels had done in nine previous intrusions that year.All of a sudden, a glint of light flashed from the North Korean vessel and the 156-ton