Journalist
Kim Hee-su김희수
khs@ajupress.com
ReporterMinistry of Foreign Affairs, Seoul City Hall & Defense, Foreign Affairs
Kim Hee-su is a bilingual reporter at AJU Press, covering defense and foreign affairs. Before joining AJP in 2025, she worked at The Korea Times, where she wrote interview stories, including a profile of North Korean defector Kim Gum-hyok, and produced digital content. She also previously worked as a researcher for KBS News 9’s International News Department, supporting correspondents in 10 countries around the world. She graduated from the University of Toronto in Canada with a double major in Book and Media Studies and East Asian Studies.
"I'm driven by storytelling."
Latest by Kim Hee-su
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South Korea begins construction of new Arctic research icebreaker SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea has begun construction of a next-generation icebreaking research vessel designed to expand the country’s access to the high Arctic and strengthen research capabilities along emerging Arctic shipping routes. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Friday that a keel-laying ceremony for the new vessel was being held at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard in South Gyeongsang Province, with around 40 officials from the ministry, Korea Polar Research Institute, Korean Register and Hanwha Ocean attending. The new icebreaker is scheduled for completion in 2029 and is expected to officially begin Arctic research operations in 2030. The ship will become South Korea’s second icebreaking research vessel after the Araon, which entered service in 2009. The government has said relying on the Araon alone has limited available research time because of lengthy voyages and its restricted ability to reach Arctic waters above 80 degrees north latitude. The ministry and Hanwha Ocean signed a construction contract in July last year and have since carried out design work and equipment procurement. The new vessel will have about 50 percent greater icebreaking capability than the Araon, allowing it to break through ice up to 1.5 meters thick while traveling at 3 knots, compared with the Araon’s 1-meter capability at the same speed. It will also be designed to operate in temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees Celsius, 10 degrees colder than the Araon’s rating. The icebreaker will conduct research on sea ice conditions needed for safe navigation along Arctic shipping routes, as well as Arctic fishery resources and seabed geology. It will use a dual-fuel system capable of running on liquefied natural gas and marine gas oil to reduce carbon emissions, while detachable modular research facilities are expected to make more efficient use of onboard research space. At roughly 16,560 gross tons, the new vessel will be more than twice the size of the 7,507-ton Araon. It will measure 140.8 meters long and 25 meters wide and accommodate up to 100 people, including 34 crew members and 66 researchers. It will have a cruising speed of 13 knots and be capable of operating for at least 75 days without resupply. Once the vessel enters service, it will focus primarily on Arctic research, while the Araon will shift its focus toward Antarctica. The ministry expects the combined number of annual research voyage days in the Arctic and Antarctic to increase from about 85 days to around 270 days, more than tripling current capacity. “The construction of the next-generation icebreaking research vessel is an important first step toward accumulating scientific research data in preparation for the coming era of Arctic shipping routes and becoming a leading country in polar research,” Seo Jeong-ho, head of the ministry’s Ocean Policy Office, said. “We will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure that the construction project proceeds without disruption,” he said. AJP Takeaways - South Korea has begun construction of a new Arctic research icebreaker, with completion targeted for 2029 and operations from 2030. - The vessel will have 50% stronger icebreaking capability than the Araon and operate in ice up to 1.5 meters thick. - The new icebreaker will expand South Korea’s Arctic research on shipping routes, sea ice, fisheries and seabed geology. 2026-09-11 11:29:21 -
Coast Guard rewards officers for Chinese fishing boat crackdown SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - The Korea Coast Guard said Friday it awarded a record amount in bonuses to officers involved in a crackdown on illegal Chinese fishing near the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea. A total of 18 million won ($13,348) was awarded to six officers who helped seize eight Chinese fishing vessels during a government-wide joint operation near Yeonpyeong Island on Aug. 11. The six officers, members of the West Sea Five Islands Special Guard Unit under the Central Regional Coast Guard, were recognized for their role in the operation, which also resulted in 24 other Chinese vessels being expelled from the area. During the operation, authorities seized eight Chinese fishing vessels and expelled 24 others from the area. Foreign fishing vessels are prohibited from operating in waters near the NLL, the de facto maritime border between South and North Korea in the Yellow Sea. But Chinese vessels frequently move back and forth across the NLL to fish illegally, making enforcement difficult. Unlike conventional crackdowns in which Coast Guard units chase vessels caught fishing illegally, the officers targeted Chinese boats anchored without authorization and carried out preemptive enforcement in coordination with other government agencies. The operation came amid a broader government push to curb persistent illegal Chinese fishing near the NLL. Seoul has also sought greater cooperation from Beijing. At a Korea-China fisheries enforcement meeting held in Dalian in June, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation against illegal fishing, including reviewing tougher enforcement rules and conducting joint patrols. South Korea also urged China to strengthen inspections at its own ports and monitoring of vessels suspected of illegal operations. The 18 million won award is the largest handed out since the Coast Guard introduced its special performance bonus program this year. “I hope clear rewards for strong performance will boost the pride of employees who quietly dedicate themselves to their duties and contribute to protecting public safety,” acting Korea Coast Guard Commissioner General Jang In-sik said. AJP Takeaways - The Korea Coast Guard awarded a record 18 million won to six officers for a crackdown on illegal Chinese fishing near the NLL. - The Aug. 11 operation near Yeonpyeong Island seized eight Chinese fishing vessels and expelled 24 others. - Seoul is also strengthening enforcement and cooperation with Beijing to curb illegal fishing in the Yellow Sea. 2026-09-11 11:05:01 -
Hanwha lands Chunmoo deal in Croatia, widening K-defense footprint in Europe SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea's K-defense drive is spreading beyond its Polish beachhead into a broader European network, with Hanwha Aerospace adding Croatia as the fourth European operator of its Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system in a 410 million euro ($477 million) deal. Hanwha Aerospace signed the contract Thursday to supply 18 Chunmoo systems to Croatia, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The deal is worth about 640 billion won. Croatia follows Poland, Estonia and Norway in adopting the South Korean rocket artillery system, extending Hanwha's reach across European militaries accelerating weapons procurement and seeking alternatives to traditional U.S. and European suppliers. The contract also marks the first major arms deal between South Korea and Croatia and is intended to open cooperation beyond the initial weapons sale, including industrial partnerships and military logistics support, DAPA said. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic attended the signing ceremony alongside government and Hanwha officials. "The Chunmoo system will significantly boost Croatia's defense capability and serve as an opportunity to expand and further deepen cooperation between our two countries in the defense and security domains," Ahn said. Ahn separately signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation with Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anusic. The agreement establishes a framework for regular working-level dialogue and broader bilateral defense ties, according to Seoul's Defense Ministry. The Croatia order adds to a wider Korean push to turn recent weapons exports into longer-term defense partnerships across Europe. Chunmoo has picked up three European orders this year alone. Norway signed a $922 million deal for 16 launchers in January, Estonia ordered three more in May only five months after its initial six-unit purchase, and Croatia followed Thursday with 18 launchers worth about 640 billion won. The three contracts bring Chunmoo orders signed in Europe this year to 37 launchers. Poland remains the system's largest European customer, with agreements covering 290 Homar-K launchers, the Polish variant of Chunmoo. Hanwha also signed a roughly $4 billion contract in December 2025 to supply and eventually produce thousands of 80-kilometer CGR-080 guided rockets in Poland. At Poland's MSPO 2026 defense exhibition this week, DAPA chief Lee Yong-cheol met senior procurement officials from Poland and Estonia and discussed expanding cooperation into joint research, joint production and follow-on logistics support, rather than limiting ties to equipment sales. DAPA described Poland as a "strategic cooperation country" for Korean defense companies seeking wider access to European markets. The agency also brought eight smaller Korean defense companies into a joint Korea pavilion at MSPO, alongside individual booths run by major companies including Hanwha Group, Hyundai Rotem and Korea Aerospace Industries. A total of 16 Korean companies were represented around the pavilion, underscoring the effort to build an industry-wide European presence rather than rely on a handful of headline weapons contracts. Poland has been the cornerstone of that expansion, emerging as one of the biggest buyers of Korean weapons after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Large Polish orders for K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light combat aircraft and Chunmoo launchers gave Korean manufacturers their first large-scale foothold in Europe. The subsequent entry of Chunmoo into Estonia, Norway and now Croatia suggests that foothold is beginning to broaden. For Hanwha, the European expansion is particularly important because rocket artillery systems generate business well beyond the initial launcher sale. Ammunition replenishment, maintenance, training, upgrades and potentially local production can extend defense relationships for decades. Chunmoo was originally developed as a central component of South Korea's artillery forces, designed in large part to counter North Korea's extensive long-range artillery and multiple rocket launcher arsenal. The system can fire different types of guided rockets and strike targets at ranges of up to 80 kilometers with the ammunition cited by DAPA, giving forces both precision-strike and wider-area fire capabilities. Croatia's order is comparatively modest next to Poland's massive Korean arms purchases, but its significance lies elsewhere as it adds another European NATO member incorporating a Korean weapons platform into its force structure. AJP Takeaways - Hanwha Aerospace signed a 640 billion won ($477 million) deal to supply 18 Chunmoo launchers to Croatia, making it the fourth European operator after Poland, Estonia and Norway. - Chunmoo has secured three European contracts this year alone — 16 launchers for Norway in January, three additional units for Estonia in May and 18 for Croatia in September, totaling 37 launchers. - The widening customer base shows South Korea’s rocket artillery exports spreading beyond Poland into a broader NATO network, with Seoul seeking follow-on business in ammunition, logistics support, joint production and industrial cooperation. 2026-09-11 07:59:00 -
Hanwha Systems unveils space AI solution at Poland defense expo SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems has unveiled an artificial intelligence-powered satellite imagery analysis solution overseas for the first time, as the South Korean defense company seeks to expand its presence in the global space and defense markets. The company said Thursday it introduced its "Space AI Solution" at MSPO 2026, a major defense exhibition held in Kielce, Poland, on Wednesday. During the launch event, Hanwha demonstrated the system analyzing imagery of Eastern Europe captured by satellites currently in operation, rather than using simulated data. The solution uses AI to analyze imagery transmitted from various satellites and extract key intelligence, automatically performing tasks such as object detection, pattern analysis and anomaly detection to support faster decision-making by commanders and other users. A key feature is its ability to integrate the entire process from satellite image collection and AI-based data fusion to providing information for commanders' decisions. The system can be used to track troop movements and routes, while in disasters it can analyze changes to buildings and terrain to rapidly assess damage before and after an event. The system supports both electro-optical, or EO, imagery and synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, data. SAR satellites can capture imagery regardless of weather or daylight, but their radar images are harder to interpret. Hanwha said its AI can identify aircraft, ships and vehicles within seconds and combine SAR data with higher-resolution EO imagery. The technology is designed to support Hanwha's SAR satellite lineup, including a 0.15-meter very low Earth orbit satellite under development, and can link satellite reconnaissance with weapons systems such as the K9 howitzer and Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher. "By combining EO and SAR imagery, the Space AI Solution turns satellite data into immediately usable reconnaissance and tactical intelligence," a Hanwha Systems official said. "We aim to expand this into an integrated space-to-ground infrastructure and strengthen our presence in the global defense and space markets." AJP Takeaways - Hanwha Systems unveiled its AI-powered satellite imagery analysis solution at MSPO 2026 in Poland. - The system combines EO and SAR imagery to detect objects, track movements and support faster military decision-making. - Hanwha plans to link the technology with SAR satellites and weapons systems such as the K9 howitzer and Chunmoo launcher. 2026-09-10 15:20:05 -
South Korean team returns from UAE after assessing Hormuz deployment conditions SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - A South Korean team sent to the United Arab Emirates to assess conditions for a possible military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz is set to return home Thursday, as Seoul weighs its response to mounting U.S. pressure for a military contribution. The team, which departed for the United Arab Emirates over the weekend, completed its assessment and is expected to return through Incheon International Airport, according to sources familiar with the matter. The delegation is understood to have inspected military bases and ports that could be used by South Korean forces, along with local conditions for maintenance, logistics and other operational support. The UAE, located close to the Strait of Hormuz, hosts Al Dhafra Air Base, one of the major U.S. military installations in the Middle East. With Seoul considering the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft as one of the most likely assets for a possible contribution, the team is believed to have examined conditions for operating and supporting the aircraft from facilities in the UAE. Officials from the Ministry of National Defense as well as working-level officials from the Foreign Ministry were reportedly part of the delegation. Under the Defense Ministry's guidelines governing overseas military deployments, a fact-finding team sent to a potential deployment area is required to prepare a report on its activities after returning and submit the findings to the National Security Council. That process, however, does not mean Seoul is moving immediately toward a decision to deploy forces. "The fact-finding team was dispatched to assess the regional situation and security conditions, and this assessment does not assume that an actual deployment will take place," a Defense Ministry official said earlier. If discussions advance, the issue could be raised at the NSC as early as next week, but the government continues to take a cautious approach. President Lee Jae Myung's return from a state visit to France could also help clarify the government's position on a possible deployment. The deliberations come as U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped up public pressure on South Korea over its level of contribution to U.S.-led efforts related to Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. In a Truth Social post on Aug. 16, Trump claimed he had asked Lee whether South Korea would join U.S. efforts to denuclearize Iran and received a "No thanks!" response. Requests from Washington for South Korean involvement in the Hormuz mission are understood to have increased through multiple diplomatic and defense channels following Trump's remarks. But the increased U.S. pressure has not necessarily pushed Seoul closer to deployment. The Defense Ministry has also rejected speculation that Washington asked Seoul to send forces before the U.S. midterm elections in November. A ministry official previously said reports that the United States had set a deadline for South Korea to deploy military assets to the Strait of Hormuz were "not true." The issue could surface again during upcoming high-level talks between the allies. South Korean and U.S. defense officials are discussing holding their second-half Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue, or KIDD, in Busan next week. While a South Korean contribution to the Strait of Hormuz is not traditionally an alliance issue handled through the KIDD, the possibility that Washington could raise the matter during the talks cannot be ruled out. AJP Takeaways - South Korean team returns from UAE after assessing a possible Hormuz deployment. - Seoul is considering P-8A Poseidon aircraft, but no deployment decision has been made. - The issue could reach the NSC and next week’s Korea-U.S. defense talks. 2026-09-10 15:02:35 -
Seoul weighs coalition role in Hormuz amid U.S. pressure, Iran warnings SEOUL, September 09 (AJP) - South Korea is keeping its options open on a possible military contribution to the Strait of Hormuz, but President Lee Jae Myung's talks in Paris risk sending the impression to Washington that Seoul is placing greater weight on a French-British multinational mission. The framework could offer Seoul a middle ground between mounting U.S. pressure for support and Iran's warnings against military involvement. “The broad direction for international cooperation has been set, but details are still under review and nothing has been decided,” a presidential official said Tuesday following Lee's summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The official stressed that the discussion should not be interpreted as a decision to send South Korean forces to the region. Lee, however, made clear that Seoul sees stability in the strategic waterway as an important national interest. “South Korea and France will continue close cooperation to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and stabilize global supply chains,” Lee said after the summit. The presidential office said Lee approached the talks on the principle that South Korea's contribution should be determined based on national interests and public consensus. Macron raised the prospect of cooperation under a broader international framework. “The multinational mission is peaceful,” Macron said, adding that France and South Korea could cooperate once the necessary agreements are in place. France and Britain have been leading efforts to establish an independent, defensive multinational mission aimed at restoring safe navigation through Hormuz. South Korea has already backed that framework politically. It endorsed an April leaders' statement establishing the initiative and was among the countries supporting a subsequent multinational mission statement in May. Neither commitment, however, amounted to a decision to deploy South Korean forces or military assets. France has maintained a cautious line since the early months of the Iran war, supporting diplomatic efforts to end the conflict while keeping the proposed Hormuz mission separate from direct U.S. military operations against Tehran. Such stance has at times put Paris and London at odds with Washington, with Trump publicly criticizing NATO allies including France and Britain for failing to provide greater support for the U.S. war effort against Iran. Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in April co-hosted a Paris conference bringing together around 50 non-belligerent countries and backing a strictly defensive multinational mission once security conditions allowed. The proposed force was designed to protect commercial vessels, restore confidence among shipowners and insurers and conduct mine-clearing operations rather than take part in combat against Iran. Macron reiterated that approach at the G7 summit in June, describing the French-British initiative as “multinational, independent and defensive” and saying around 20 countries had expressed a firm commitment to contribute. France has said the mission could protect merchant shipping and support mine-clearing once conditions in the strait permit. The government recently sent a Defense Ministry fact-finding team to the United Arab Emirates to assess conditions in and around the strait, but the presidential office said the move was only “part of the review process” and did not presuppose a deployment. Asked whether the issue could be discussed at a National Security Council standing committee meeting on Sept. 17, the official said it was difficult to discuss a schedule because “nothing has been decided.” Seoul's caution comes as pressure intensifies from both Washington and Tehran. A White House official said Sunday that the United States was “still waiting” for South Korea to commit resources to the region, after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly singled out Seoul over its reluctance to support U.S. efforts surrounding Hormuz. Trump has pressed countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy, including South Korea and Japan, to contribute to securing the waterway since the war with Iran began on Feb. 28. Iran, meanwhile, has warned Seoul against military involvement. “Military presence or participation in operations in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz would inevitably be seen as directly supporting the aggressor,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said, warning of “serious consequences.” Iran’s judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei abruptly canceled a planned visit to Seoul next week, as South Korea weighs a possible Hormuz deployment. The reason was not officially disclosed. “We told them that the matter is under review and nothing has been decided,” the presidential official said. The competing pressure leaves the Lee administration with a difficult calculation: how far to support its U.S. ally and help secure a waterway vital to South Korea's energy supplies without becoming directly entangled in the Iran war. Defense experts say months of caution may have brought Seoul to the point where a limited contribution deserves serious consideration. “We have reached a point where it is time to consider a deployment,” Choi Ki-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University and head of the Korea Defense Industry Research Institute, told AJP. Choi said any mission should focus on protecting South Korean vessels and crews and supporting freedom of navigation rather than taking part in direct combat against Iran. “Even if we deploy, our role should be limited to protecting our own ships,” Choi said. Possible assets reported in recent days have included P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, the Navy's 11,000-ton ROKS Soyang fast combat support ship and mine-clearing capabilities. The government has stressed that none has been selected. One potential middle ground would be participation in the French-British multinational mission rather than an independent South Korean operation. “If South Korea participates, it should not do so independently, but as part of a coalition force,” Kim Hong-yoo, a professor at Kyung Hee University and a policy committee member of the Korea Defense Industry Association, told AJP. Kim said such a framework could allow Seoul to take on logistics or other support functions rather than lead a separate Korean operation. He also argued that Washington's requests are difficult for Seoul to ignore because the United States, South Korea's treaty ally, is directly involved in the conflict. “For the government, this is a very difficult decision,” Kim said. Kim said an NSC discussion would become more relevant if the government decides to deploy forces, as Seoul would then have to determine which military assets could be spared without weakening its defense posture on the Korean Peninsula. For now, the presidential office is drawing a line between supporting international efforts to secure Hormuz and committing South Korean forces to them. Seoul's eventual choice will have to balance its U.S. alliance and the economic importance of keeping Hormuz open against military readiness on the Korean Peninsula, relations with Iran and domestic public opinion. AJP Takeaways - Seoul says no decision has been made on deploying military assets despite deeper talks with France and other partners. - French-British defensive mission offers potential middle ground between U.S. demands and Iran's warnings. - South Korea has already backed the multinational framework politically, leaving the scale and form of any operational contribution unresolved. 2026-09-09 17:58:49 -
U.S. bidder challenges Hanwha with higher offer for Austal USA SEOUL, September 09 (AJP) - A U.S.-led investment group has emerged as a rival to Hanwha in the race for Austal USA, offering as much as $1.35 billion for the American shipbuilding business, above the South Korean defense group's earlier proposal. “Austal has received a non-binding indication of interest from a syndicate led by Wildcat Resources LLC” to acquire Austal USA, the Australian shipbuilder said in a filing to the Australian Securities Exchange on Wednesday. The proposal values Austal USA at between $1.25 billion and $1.35 billion on a cash-free, debt-free basis and is conditional on four weeks of due diligence. Wildcat has indicated that it “intends to operate the company as a standalone platform,” retaining the Austal brand and its U.S. operations, Austal said. AJP Takeaways - Wildcat Resources has offered $1.25 billion to $1.35 billion for Austal USA, topping Hanwha’s earlier bid. - Hanwha Defense USA has proposed $1.05 billion to $1.2 billion and is seeking to expand its U.S. shipbuilding footprint. - Austal USA builds vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and operates key facilities in Alabama and California. The new approach puts the Wildcat-led group in direct competition with Hanwha Defense USA, which made a preliminary bid for Austal's U.S. operations last month. “Hanwha Defense USA has made a preliminary, non-binding offer to acquire Austal's U.S. business,” company spokesperson James Hewitt said in a statement. Hanwha's proposal values Austal USA at between $1.05 billion and $1.2 billion, meaning Wildcat's offer is higher at both ends of the range. Austal previously said Hanwha's proposal was also on a cash- and debt-free basis and subject to due diligence and other conditions. “Any deal will be contingent on due diligence that permits a thorough evaluation of Austal USA's operations and financials, including newly disclosed information,” Hewitt said. “Hanwha has made it a priority to significantly contribute to revitalizing American shipbuilding and is exploring a range of options to expand our footprint in the United States,” he added. Hanwha has been seeking to deepen its presence in the U.S. naval shipbuilding and defense market. It has already built a 19.9 percent economic interest in Austal and acquired Philly Shipyard in 2024. Austal USA is particularly attractive because of its role in major U.S. naval programs. The company operates a shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, where it builds vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, and employs around 3,500 workers. It also has ship repair and support operations, including facilities in San Diego. Austal said its board and advisers will consider the Wildcat proposal. No binding transaction has been agreed with either bidder. 2026-09-09 17:19:48 -
Seoul's nuclear sub project reaches IAEA, yet nowhere with Washington SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - South Korea has moved to clear a major safeguards hurdle for its nuclear-powered submarine program, formally opening consultations with the International Atomic Energy Agency. But substantive negotiations cannot advance far until Washington provides clearer guidance on how Seoul can secure nuclear fuel for the submarines. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Monday that South Korea "has formally notified the Secretariat of its intention to start consultations" on an arrangement under Article 14 of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the agency. Seoul has also submitted relevant declarations to the IAEA and reaffirmed its commitment to meeting its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the safeguards agreement and the Additional Protocol, Grossi said. He added that he expects consultations to continue "in the same spirit of transparency." The notification represents a concrete step forward from June, when Grossi described discussions with Seoul as being at a preliminary stage. South Korea is not negotiating a new safeguards agreement with the IAEA. The two sides must instead work out a separate arrangement under Article 14 of their existing agreement, which has governed the application of nuclear safeguards in South Korea since 1975. Article 14 allows nuclear material normally subject to IAEA safeguards to be used in a non-proscribed military activity such as naval nuclear propulsion, provided South Korea and the agency agree on how the temporary non-application of safeguards will work. Under the existing agreement, the arrangement must set out, as far as possible, the period or circumstances during which safeguards will not apply and require Seoul to keep the IAEA informed of the quantity and composition of the nuclear material involved. Normal safeguards would have to be reapplied once the nuclear material is returned to a peaceful nuclear activity. The negotiations could cover the submarine reactor, nuclear fuel and shore-based infrastructure while establishing mechanisms to protect sensitive military information. Grossi stressed in June that the safeguards framework would depend on the specific submarine design, fuel and supporting infrastructure. Establishing a system capable of addressing proliferation concerns would therefore take time, he said. Australia offers a glimpse of how lengthy and technically detailed the process could become. Australia began formal negotiations with the IAEA on an Article 14 arrangement in May 2023, but the talks remained ongoing as of June this year. The two sides have discussed issues including advance notification, reporting and verification, the duration and circumstances of the arrangement, the point at which normal safeguards would resume and safeguards for facilities and sites associated with the submarine program. South Korea could face a similarly detailed process before reaching a final arrangement. Yet the bigger unresolved issue lies outside the IAEA: how South Korea and the United States will reach an agreement on securing nuclear fuel for the submarines. The government plans to use uranium enriched to below 20 percent and launch its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s, with operational deployment planned for the late 2030s. Washington formally backed Seoul's submarine ambitions following the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump last October. A joint fact sheet released in November said the United States had approved South Korea's construction of nuclear-powered attack submarines and would work with Seoul on requirements for the project, including ways to source the fuel. Turning that political commitment into an actual fuel supply arrangement has proved more complicated. The Foreign Ministry said in June that nuclear fuel for submarines constitutes a military use of nuclear energy and therefore needs to be handled separately from negotiations over South Korea's civilian uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing rights under the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement. The government has said importing submarine fuel from the United States is among the options under consideration and that a separate arrangement with Washington would be needed. Yet bilateral security negotiations, including discussions concerning the nuclear-powered submarine program, have stalled. A presidential official said last week that South Korea-U.S. negotiations on security issues were "not currently progressing," referring in part to Seoul's plan to build nuclear-powered submarines under last year's bilateral agreement. The official did not elaborate on what was holding up the talks or when substantive negotiations on the submarine program might resume. "It is possible to operate a submarine using the kind of nuclear fuel used in nuclear power plants," Suh Kune-yull, an emeritus professor of nuclear engineering at Seoul National University, said, noting that submarine fuel options are not limited to highly enriched uranium and that higher enrichment mainly allows a reactor to operate longer before refueling. South Korea therefore does not necessarily need the highly enriched uranium used by U.S. nuclear submarines, he said, although the fuel concentration ultimately chosen would have implications for reactor design, endurance and refueling requirements. Suh also stressed that securing the fuel itself is only part of the issue. "What to do with it afterward is another issue, and discussions would have to follow," Suh said, referring to the handling of spent nuclear fuel after its use aboard the submarines. The IAEA notification moves Seoul's nuclear-powered submarine program into a more formal safeguards phase, but it resolves neither the technical details of that framework nor the more immediate question of fuel access. Progress toward an operational submarine will ultimately depend on two negotiations moving forward in parallel: a detailed Article 14 arrangement with the IAEA and a separate deal with Washington that gives South Korea a viable source of nuclear fuel. AJP Takeaways - South Korea has formally started IAEA consultations on safeguards for its nuclear-powered submarine program. - The main hurdle remains securing nuclear fuel through a separate agreement with the United States. - Seoul must advance both IAEA safeguards talks and U.S. fuel negotiations before the program can move forward. 2026-09-08 16:29:02 -
HMM lands $3.5 billion long-term shipping contract with Vale SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - HMM has signed a 4.7 trillion won ($3.5 billion) long-term shipping contract with Brazilian mining giant Vale, locking in cargo for eight new bulk carriers for 25 years as South Korea's largest container shipper expands stable earnings outside its mainstay container business. The agreement is HMM's third major long-term contract with Vale following two 10-year deals signed in May and September last year worth a combined 1.07 trillion won, the South Korean carrier said Tuesday. Under the latest contract, each vessel will operate for 25 years beginning in 2030. The contract is worth 4.697 trillion won, equivalent to 43.13 percent of HMM's consolidated revenue of 10.89 trillion won in 2025, according to a regulatory filing. The agreement runs from April 1, 2030, through Oct. 31, 2056, although each vessel will operate under a 25-year contract from the time it enters service. Vale also has an option to extend the contract by up to five years. The deal marks HMM's third major long-term contract with Vale following two 10-year agreements signed in May and September last year worth a combined 1.07 trillion won. HMM had announced in June that it would order eight 210,000-ton Newcastlemax bulk carriers for the contract, equipped with the world's first engines capable of running on methanol, ethanol and conventional fuel oil. The ships will also be built "LNG- and ammonia-ready," allowing future conversion to liquefied natural gas or ammonia propulsion. They will carry rotor sails that harness wind to supplement engine propulsion, among other equipment designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The deal advances HMM's effort to reduce its dependence on volatile container freight rates by expanding long-term contracts with large, creditworthy cargo owners. Since CEO Choi Won-hyuk took office at the end of March last year, the carrier has sought to streamline its bulk shipping fleet while reducing its reliance on short-term chartered vessels and securing more long-term cargo commitments. HMM's bulk division posted operating profit of 240 billion won in the first half of this year, extending a sharp improvement that began in the fourth quarter of 2025. The carrier has also broadened its non-container portfolio beyond conventional dry bulk carriers and tankers into liquefied-gas carriers, pure car and truck carriers and multipurpose vessels. Its bulk fleet expanded to 61 vessels as of the first half of this year from 44 at the end of March 2025. "HMM will continue strengthening its stable earnings base by expanding the share of long-term contracts and restructuring its business portfolio, while expanding businesses centered on high profitability and future growth," a company official said. Under the latest contract, HMM will transport cargo mainly between Brazil and destinations including China. Payments will be made within 10 business days after loading for each voyage. The final contract value could change depending on exchange rates, fuel prices, shipping routes and vessel operating days, HMM said. HMM shares were down 1.86 percent at 21,150 won as of 1:40 p.m. Tuesday. 2026-09-08 13:57:43 -
PM Han vows to turn peace on Korean Peninsula into regional stability SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Tuesday that South Korea will work to turn peace on the Korean Peninsula into broader stability in Northeast Asia and contribute to global peace and shared prosperity. “The peace we seek to build on the Korean Peninsula will not remain confined to the peninsula,” Han said in a keynote speech at the Seoul Defense Dialogue in Seoul. “We will build a foundation that connects peace on the Korean Peninsula to stability in Northeast Asia and, ultimately, contributes to global peace and shared prosperity,” she said. Han said growing global interconnectedness has made overseas conflicts increasingly consequential for South Korea, even when the country itself is not directly involved in war. “We live in an era when wars elsewhere can have significant economic repercussions and affect people’s livelihoods even if no war breaks out in our own country,” Han said. “The world is more closely connected than ever, yet paradoxically, conflict and fragmentation are deepening.” She stressed that peace is closely tied to economic security and growth. “When peace is shaken, the foundation for growth is also shaken,” Han said. “Peace and coexistence are not ideals, but realistic choices for our people and our national interests.” The prime minister said the government’s vision of an “indispensable Korea” does not mean a country seeking to move ahead alone. Rather, she said, South Korea aims to strengthen its independent defense capabilities and deterrence while pursuing pragmatic diplomacy centered on the national interest, seeking common interests and promoting peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity through trust and dialogue. Han also pledged to use South Korea’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, competitive defense industry, experience with democratization and global cultural influence to help build a safer and more prosperous world. “We will also fulfill our responsibilities in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, disaster response and reconstruction,” she said. Describing the Seoul Defense Dialogue as a forum to discuss “how countries can create common interests in an era of turmoil,” Han said South Korea would take a leading role. “South Korea will lead the way,” she said. “We will demonstrate through responsible action that coexistence can lead to shared interests.” AJP Takeaways - PM Han said Korean Peninsula peace should support stability in Northeast Asia and global prosperity. - She called peace and coexistence practical choices for South Korea’s security, economy and national interests. - Han pledged stronger deterrence, pragmatic diplomacy and a greater role in global security. 2026-09-08 12:07:42