AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Kim Hee-su
Kim Hee-su김희수
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
  • Chinese Embassy says USFK chief crossed the line with dagger remarks on Korea
    Chinese Embassy says USFK chief 'crossed the line' with 'dagger' remarks on Korea SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - The Chinese Embassy in Seoul has strongly criticized Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, after he described South Korea as a “dagger” in Asia from China’s strategic perspective. In a written response to reporters Thursday, the embassy said Brunson’s recent remarks portrayed South Korea and USFK as a forward base aimed at China, warning that he had “clearly crossed the line.” Brunson said in a U.S. Army War College podcast released on May 22 that “when they look out from the east coast of China, what they see is Korea, the dagger in the heart of Asia,” emphasizing South Korea’s geographic importance and the role of U.S. troops on the peninsula in countering China. Last year, he also described South Korea as “an island or a stationary aircraft carrier” between China and Japan. “Is describing USFK as an aircraft carrier or a dagger an act of belligerence, or is it intended to take other countries hostage?” a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy said. Referring to a recent summit between the U.S. and Chinese leaders, where the two sides agreed to build a constructive and strategically stable relationship, the spokesperson also questioned whether Brunson’s remarks had been approved by Washington. “Were your hostile and aggressive remarks toward China approved by Washington, or are they intended to undermine the agreement reached at the U.S.-China summit?” the spokesperson said. The embassy also noted that some South Korean media outlets had criticized Brunson’s remarks, urging the USFK commander to show greater respect for countries in the region. “We hope the commander of U.S. Forces Korea will make greater efforts to respect regional countries and promote regional peace and stability,” the spokesperson said. The embassy’s response appears to reflect Beijing’s growing concern that Washington is seeking to draw South Korea further into efforts to contain China, as the U.S. pushes to expand the strategic flexibility of USFK beyond deterring North Korea to potential regional contingencies, including in the Taiwan Strait. 2026-05-28 17:41:00
  • Weak Iranian missiles — not ship armor — explain limited damage to HMM Namu: experts
    Weak Iranian missiles — not ship armor — explain limited damage to HMM Namu: experts SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - South Korea's conclusion that the cargo ship HMM Namu—damaged near the Strait of Hormuz on May 4—was likely hit by Iranian missiles has raised a simple question: how did a commercial vessel survive two direct strikes with only minor damage? Defense experts say the answer lies not in the ship's structural strength, but in the missiles' limited performance. The question arose after Seoul announced Wednesday that the two unidentified projectiles that struck the South Korean vessel were likely Noor-class anti-ship missiles, developed and produced by Iran. Investigators said the warhead found at the scene matched the section marked in red in a manufacturer’s catalog image of an anti-ship missile, while other debris appeared to be engine components. “For now, multiple pieces of evidence point toward Iran,” First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo said at a briefing. The Noor is a mainstay of Iran’s anti-ship arsenal, developed in the early 2000s by reverse-engineering the Chinese-made C-802 cruise missile. The weapon uses “sea-skimming” technology, flying just 5 to 15 meters above the water’s surface to evade radar detection. Investigators said this low-altitude flight profile aligns with the damage sustained by the HMM Namu, which was reportedly struck near the waterline on the lower section of its hull. Experts cautioned, however, against interpreting the absence of casualties and the relatively limited damage as evidence that the Chinese-built container ship possessed exceptional defensive capability. Jeong Kyung-woon, a researcher at the Korea Military Affairs Institute, said standard anti-ship cruise missiles are designed to sink warships with compartmentalized structures and typically carry warheads containing around 450 kilograms of explosives. “If an ordinary commercial vessel were hit by two such missiles, it would be torn apart,” Jeong said. He said the scale of damage to the Namu suggests the missiles may have carried warheads with only a fraction of the typical explosive power. “The level of damage seen on the Namu appears normal, considering that the warhead of the Iranian anti-ship missile is estimated to have had about one-tenth the power of a standard anti-ship cruise missile,” he said. Jeong added that merchant ships are generally designed for cargo transport and safe navigation, not to withstand missile strikes. The Noor missile has repeatedly drawn attention from military analysts and foreign media because of its past use by Iran-backed groups. It is often cited in connection with the 2006 attack on the Israeli Navy corvette INS Hanit off the coast of Lebanon, when Hezbollah reportedly used an Iranian-supplied anti-ship missile to strike the vessel. The British military journal Wavell Room has also described the Noor as part of what it called the “Houthi model” of proxy warfare, pointing to Iran’s long-running transfer of missiles and components to members of its so-called “Axis of Resistance,” including groups in Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen. Kim Houng-yu, a member of the Korea Defense Industry Association, offered a similar assessment, saying the limited damage was more likely due to shortcomings in the missile system than the ship’s strength. “One of the two missiles did not explode,” Kim said, noting that a warhead must detonate properly through its fuse to achieve its intended destructive effect. “Since Iran faces severe restrictions on importing military hardware or securing proper supply chains, it is highly probable they are relying on crude, locally produced alternatives manufactured in makeshift facilities,” Kim explained. “In my view, it was not that the ship was strong enough to withstand the strike, but that the missile’s performance was fundamentally deficient.” Following the announcement, Park summoned Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi to the Foreign Ministry in Seoul later Wednesday. However, Park also acknowledged the difficulty of determining whether the attack was intentional, saying it would be “extremely difficult” to establish intent unless Iran itself acknowledges it. Koozechi expressed regret over the damage to the Korean vessel but denied any Iranian involvement. “I would like to express regret over the damage suffered by the Korean vessel,” he told reporters. But when asked whether Iran would apologize, he said Tehran “denies everything” related to the incident and had “absolutely no involvement.” During Thursday’s press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il again stopped short of identifying the specific actor responsible, saying it remains “very difficult” to determine who inside Iran carried out the attack. The remarks suggested that Seoul is not yet able to specify whether the strike was conducted by Iran’s regular military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Houthi rebels or other Iran-backed militia groups. The ministry also stressed that the government’s response would take into account the safety of Korean vessels and crew members still operating near the Strait of Hormuz, the protection of Korean nationals and companies in the Middle East, energy supply chain stability and broader South Korea-Iran relations. “At the time of the incident, military tensions around the Strait of Hormuz were extremely high, and vessels from other countries, including China and France, were also attacked around the same time,” Park said. “The government will respond while taking those circumstances into account.” The case comes as South Korea continues diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe passage of Korean-linked vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for global energy shipments. 2026-05-28 17:17:12
  • Defense Minister Ahn to attend Shangri-La Dialogue, meet Japanese counterpart
    Defense Minister Ahn to attend Shangri-La Dialogue, meet Japanese counterpart SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back will attend the 23rd Asia Security Summit in Singapore from May 29 to 31 and hold talks with defense ministers from several countries, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday. The Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, is an annual security forum hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore, bringing together defense ministers and senior officials for multilateral and bilateral talks. During the forum, Ahn is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. It will be their first in-person meeting since January, when Ahn visited Japan and held talks with Koizumi in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. The two ministers are expected to discuss ways to expand defense exchanges between Seoul and Tokyo, which have recently gained momentum. In particular, they may discuss plans to hold a Korea-Japan search and rescue exercise, or SAREX, which had been suspended for about nine years before the two sides agreed to resume it during the Yokosuka meeting. Seoul and Tokyo are reportedly in the final stages of coordinating the schedule for the exercise. Momentum for closer defense exchanges between the two countries is expected to continue, as Koizumi’s bilateral visit to South Korea is also being discussed following the Shangri-La meeting. However, it remains unclear whether there will be progress on Japan’s push for an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, or ACSA, with South Korea, as Seoul has maintained a cautious stance on the issue. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is also set to attend this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue. A separate bilateral meeting between Ahn and Hegseth is considered unlikely, as the two already held talks during Ahn’s visit to the U.S. on May 11. Still, if the two meet on the sidelines of the forum, Ahn may again explain Seoul’s recently announced basic plan for a nuclear-powered submarine and discuss its progress. Attention is also focused on whether the defense chiefs of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan will hold a trilateral meeting during the forum. Ahn is also scheduled to meet delegations from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the defense ministers of Australia, Norway, the Philippines and Thailand, to discuss ways to expand defense and defense industry cooperation. On May 30, Ahn will deliver a speech during a plenary session of the Shangri-La Dialogue under the theme, “Regional Security Challenges and the Republic of Korea’s Strategic Response.” Through the speech, Ahn is expected to explain the government’s defense policy in response to the rapidly changing security environment, the ministry said. 2026-05-28 13:09:27
  • AJP Focus: Seouls nuclear submarine push raises broader regional security questions
    AJP Focus: Seoul's nuclear submarine push raises broader regional security questions SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - South Korea's new "Jangbogo N" nuclear-powered submarine program is raising questions over whether the project is designed primarily to deter North Korea or whether it could eventually become part of a broader U.S.-led effort to counter China. Officials have described the submarine as a symbol of Seoul's determination to take greater responsibility for its own security. But the move comes after the commander of U.S. Forces Korea recently described South Korea as a "dagger" from China's strategic perspective. Under the current timetable, the first vessel is expected to become operational in the mid-2030s. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back unveiled the plan during the first meeting of the Future Defense Strategy Committee at the Navy Submarine Command in Jinhae on Tuesday. "The nuclear-powered submarine, to be built on the foundation of a strong South Korea-U.S. alliance, will be a symbol of our will to take responsibility for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula ourselves," he said. Ahn added that the project would also contribute to strengthening South Korea's defense industry and play a key role in countering North Korea's submarine-based nuclear and missile threats. According to the Defense Ministry, the submarine South Korea plans to build will carry conventional weapons and is unrelated to strategic nuclear submarines armed with nuclear weapons. Its reactor will use low-enriched uranium at around 20 percent, rather than highly enriched uranium that can be used to produce nuclear weapons. The U.S. currently uses highly enriched uranium of more than 90 percent for its nuclear submarines, while France and China are known to operate nuclear-powered submarines based on low-enriched uranium. Under the South Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement signed in 2015, Seoul requires Washington's consent to enrich uranium below 20 percent and reprocess spent nuclear fuel. South Korea has so far been effectively unable to enrich uranium and imports all nuclear fuel used in its power plants. If Seoul seeks to receive nuclear fuel for its submarines from Washington, the two countries will need further discussions, including a separate agreement under the U.S. Atomic Energy Act. Any transfer of nuclear fuel would also require approval from the U.S. Congress. The plan comes as the second Trump administration, under its "Make America Great Again" agenda, presses allies to invest more in their own defense and assume a greater share of collective security responsibilities. South Korea is also facing growing pressure as the U.S. war with Iran drags on. Washington has called on Seoul, where about 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed, to contribute more to U.S.-led security efforts, while President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized the need for greater defense self-reliance. According to the U.S. Army War College website on Tuesday, Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said during a podcast hosted by the school on May 22 that, from China's perspective, "what they see is Korea, a dagger in the heart of Asia, and Japan, which is kind of the shield or the blocking wall as they have ambitions to get beyond the South China Sea." Experts say the Jangbogo N program is not merely a matter of strengthening military capabilities, but a strategic decision about how South Korea will acquire and operate nuclear-powered submarines. They note that the issue has become more complex amid the AUKUS pact and intensifying U.S.-China maritime competition. Seoul must pursue domestic shipbuilding capabilities while complying with the global nonproliferation regime, even as its new submarines are likely to be viewed by Beijing as part of a wider effort to check China's growing naval reach. Because nuclear-powered submarines can operate for more than 40 years, heavy dependence on foreign technology or components in the first vessel could lock Seoul into long-term reliance on outside support for maintenance and upgrades. Jeong Kyung-woon of the Korea Association of Military Studies said in a report that the SSN project is "not a one-time purchase, but a structural choice that will define South Korea’s future submarine force," adding that the level of domestic shipbuilding and defense industry involvement from the initial stage will determine the country's technological autonomy and long-term cost curve. Still, the government appears to be leaving room for further consultations with Washington over where the submarines will be built. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social the day after the Oct. 30 summit that South Korea would build its nuclear-powered submarines "right here in the good ol' U.S.A. shipyards of Philadelphia.” The South Korean government, however, has since made clear that it intends to build them domestically. Analysts also warn that while SSNs could eventually be drawn into long-range missions aimed at countering China, Seoul should clearly define their primary role as deterring North Korea. "South Korea already has enough strategic requirements within its exclusive economic zone and surrounding waters," Jeong added. "If Seoul openly expands the mission of its nuclear-powered submarines to counter China, it could invite responses from the Chinese and Russian navies and fuel a regional arms race." Experts said that the more deeply South Korean SSNs are integrated into U.S.-Japan combined operational networks, the more likely China is to view them as forward-deployed U.S. offensive assets — much as it viewed the THAAD missile defense system, elements of which have reportedly been redeployed from Korea to the Middle East amid the prolonged war with Iran. 2026-05-27 17:53:52
  • Hyundai Rotem wins state projects for AI-based unmanned military robots
    Hyundai Rotem wins state projects for AI-based unmanned military robots SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Hyundai Rotem said Tuesday it has been selected for two state-funded research and development projects aimed at advancing unmanned robot technologies based on physical artificial intelligence. The company said it was chosen as the final contractor for two projects commissioned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). The industry ministry project focuses on developing control software that can manage multiple types of unmanned robots through natural language commands and text. Until now, operators had to control each unmanned robot separately by entering fixed commands through dedicated remote-control devices. Once the integrated control system is developed, a small number of operators will be able to control multiple unmanned platforms at the same time using spoken or written commands. Hyundai Rotem plans to apply the technology to its key unmanned platforms, including the HR-Sherpa multipurpose unmanned ground vehicle and quadruped robots. The project is part of a government program designed to support the rapid commercialization of AI-based products. The ADD project involves developing a digital twin simulator and a modular unmanned robot platform. The simulator is designed to test the performance of unmanned robots in virtual environments that closely resemble real-world conditions. The modular unmanned robot platform will have detachable wheels on four legs and will be able to carry various mission equipment, including robotic arms and explosive detection devices. The ADD project is part of a future challenge defense technology R&D program designed to develop innovative defense technologies before formal military requirements are set. Hyundai Rotem also signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. defense technology firm Anduril earlier this month, as part of efforts to expand technology cooperation across the public and private sectors. “We are devoting all our capabilities to advancing physical AI technologies that put national security and public safety first,” a Hyundai Rotem official said. “We will continue working to develop manned-unmanned weapon systems that the Republic of Korea Army can trust and use.” 2026-05-27 16:17:21
  • USFK chief calls Korea a dagger in Asia from Chinas strategic view
    USFK chief calls Korea a 'dagger' in Asia from China's strategic view SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, has described South Korea as a “dagger” in the heart of Asia from China’s strategic perspective, underscoring the peninsula’s growing role in Washington’s broader efforts to counter Beijing. According to the U.S. Army War College website on Tuesday, Brunson made the remarks during a podcast hosted by the school on May 22. “When they look out from the East Coast of China, what they see is there’s Korea, the dagger in the heart of Asia. There’s Japan, again, sort of the shield or the blocking wall as they have ambitions to get beyond the South China Sea,” Brunson said. His description of Korea as a “dagger” appears to reflect both South Korea’s strategic value to the U.S. in countering China and Beijing’s wariness over the presence of a U.S. ally and American troops so close to its territory. China has long opposed the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, in South Korea, arguing that the system serves as a military tool aimed at containing Beijing. Brunson’s remarks can be seen as highlighting the need to maintain the Korea-U.S. alliance and U.S. troop presence on the peninsula. At the same time, they also suggest his willingness to expand the role of the alliance and USFK beyond deterring North Korea to include a broader focus on China. The comments may indicate that while the Trump administration continues to value the Korea-U.S. alliance and USFK, it is placing greater emphasis on their utility in countering China rather than solely defending South Korea from North Korean threats. Brunson has repeatedly stressed the alliance’s role in checking China, in line with the concept of “alliance modernization,” which has become a key phrase for the Korea-U.S. alliance under the second Trump administration. In May last year, he also described South Korea’s geographic position as strategically important, comparing it to “an island or like a fixed aircraft carrier” between Japan and mainland China. Brunson also said USFK is working with Samsung to develop advanced cloud infrastructure that would allow the U.S. and its regional allies to maintain communications even if networks are cut off or disabled. 2026-05-27 13:34:47
  • Korean submarine scores high with Canadian crew ahead of Ottawa decision
    Korean submarine scores high with Canadian crew ahead of Ottawa decision SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - The Canadian crew after their first onboard journey aboard a South Korean submarine had only high praise for the ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, boosting Team Korea’s momentum in the final stretch of Ottawa’s multibillion-dollar competition to replace its aging submarine fleet. The KSS-III-class diesel-electric submarine arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on Saturday after a nearly two-month voyage from Jinhae in southern Korea, marking the first trans-Pacific deployment by a South Korean submarine. The vessel was officially welcomed Monday before scheduled joint exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy and allied forces. The visit comes at a crucial stage in Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, or CPSP, aimed at replacing the country’s aging Victoria-class submarines with up to 12 modern diesel-electric vessels. Glenn Copeland, managing director of Hanwha Defence Canada, described the timing of the submarine’s arrival as significant as Ottawa prepares to narrow the field. Hanwha Ocean, the maker of ROKS Dosan, is leading the Korean consortium against the European rival led by Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, with the Canadian government expected to make its choice as early as next month. “I think this is the best conventional submarine available in the world today,” Copeland said, arguing that the KSS-III meets Canadian operational requirements in range, endurance, size and weapons capability. “We feel very positive about our chances,” he added. “Right now, if you ask anyone, they will say it is 50-50. But there are clearly factors working in our favor.” The Dosan Ahn Chang-ho departed Jinhae on March 25 and traveled roughly 15,000 kilometers across the Pacific, stopping in Guam and Hawaii for supplies. Two Canadian sailors boarded the submarine in Hawaii on May 7 and sailed aboard the vessel to Victoria, giving Ottawa a rare firsthand opportunity to evaluate Korean submarine operations at sea. Their reactions were notably enthusiastic. Petty Officer 2nd Class Jake Dixon compared the experience to “buying a brand-new Tesla and then you’re coming out of a ’99 Honda Civic,” according to local media reports. Lieutenant-Commander Brittany Bourgeois, who also spent about two weeks aboard the submarine, praised the vessel’s condition and spacious interior. “Being on board a modern submarine really opened our eyes to the possibilities ahead of us,” she said. The positive reviews could strengthen South Korea’s standing as Canada grapples with severe operational strain in its submarine fleet. Ottawa currently operates four Victoria-class submarines purchased secondhand from Britain in 1998, but reports indicate only one remains operational while the others are undergoing repairs. Rear-Admiral David Patchell, commander of Canada’s Pacific fleet, recently told CBC that the country needed replacement submarines “yesterday.” “We’ve operated submarines for more than 100 years, but we have not truly been a submarine-owning nation,” Patchell said. “With 12 modern submarines, Canada can become one.” The contest has increasingly evolved beyond submarine specifications into a broader strategic and industrial competition. Hanwha Ocean has sought to distinguish itself through wider economic cooperation proposals, including an equity investment in Canadian space startup Reaction Dynamics and a $345 million steel infrastructure project tied to Algoma Steel. Canadian media have generally viewed the Korean bid favorably compared with TKMS’ proposal centered on German launch infrastructure technology. Still, analysts note that the KSS-III’s strengths could also pose questions for Canadian planners. Its vertical launch system and heavy strike capability — developed in response to threats from North Korea and broader regional tensions involving China — may exceed the Royal Canadian Navy’s current operational requirements, which do not include ballistic or cruise missile submarine missions. By contrast, TKMS’ Type 212CD is widely viewed as highly suitable for Arctic operations because of its smaller size, maneuverability and ability to operate in shallow and ice-covered waters across Canada’s Arctic archipelago. But the German bid faces mounting concerns over delivery schedules. TKMS already has a substantial production backlog tied to orders from Germany, Norway, Singapore, Türkiye and India, leading some Canadian defense analysts to question whether deliveries could realistically meet Ottawa’s target timeline in the mid-2030s. For South Korea, the Pacific crossing itself may prove strategically significant beyond the Canadian bid. The deployment demonstrated not only the endurance and operational reliability of the KSS-III platform, but also Seoul’s growing ambition to compete directly with established European defense manufacturers in high-end naval procurement markets increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition and supply-chain reliability. A South Korean Navy official said the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho is expected to participate in joint exercises with Canadian forces in early June, though exact schedules have not been disclosed. 2026-05-26 16:57:59
  • N. Korea tests mixed-fire tactics as Xis possible Pyongyang trip looms
    N. Korea tests mixed-fire tactics as Xi's possible Pyongyang trip looms SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - North Korea fired several close-range ballistic missiles and artillery rockets into the Yellow Sea on Tuesday, South Korea’s military said, amid speculation that Chinese President Xi Jinping could visit Pyongyang soon. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected various types of projectiles, including close-range ballistic missiles, fired from the area of Jongju, North Pyongan Province, toward waters off the North’s west coast at around 1 p.m. The close-range ballistic missiles flew about 80 kilometers, and the military believes North Korea also fired artillery rockets, a type of multiple rocket launcher system, along with them. It is unusual for North Korea to fire close-range ballistic missiles and artillery rockets at the same time. The launch is seen as an apparent attempt to demonstrate its ability to evade air defenses and conduct mixed-fire strikes. Military authorities are also keeping open the possibility that loitering munitions, or so-called suicide drones, may have been used in the launch. Officials reportedly detected trajectories on radar that differed from those of typical ballistic missiles or artillery rockets, raising the possibility that a new weapons system was involved. The military said further analysis is needed to make a precise assessment. The launch marked North Korea’s first ballistic missile firing in 37 days and its eighth such launch this year. On April 19, North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles from the eastern coastal area of Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province, toward the East Sea, claiming they were equipped with cluster warheads. North Korean state media said Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch of five upgraded Hwasong-11 Ra tactical ballistic missiles, which struck a target zone 136 kilometers away and covered an area of about 12.5 to 13 hectares. The test was aimed at assessing new warheads carrying cluster bombs and fragmentation mines. The South Korean Unification Ministry later noted that an unusually large number of commanders from North Korean frontline units were present at the test, saying this appeared to underscore Kim’s push to expand tactical missile deployments against South Korea. Tuesday’s launch drew attention as it came amid speculation that Xi could visit North Korea as early as this week. If Xi’s visit takes place following recent U.S.-China and China-Russia summits, it would be Xi’s first trip to North Korea since June 2019. “The government once again calls on North Korea to respond to our peace policy and efforts to reduce tensions,” South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il said at a briefing Tuesday. Park said South Korea will continue pursuing a phased and pragmatic approach to resolving the North Korean nuclear issue while maintaining close coordination with the international community. 2026-05-26 16:07:04
  • Lee calls for faster push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines
    Lee calls for faster push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for accelerating South Korea’s push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, as the government is seeking to unveil a basic plan for the development of a Korean nuclear-powered submarine by the end of this month. “We must speed up the introduction of AI and drone technologies and move faster to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, a key strategic asset for future defense capabilities,” Lee said during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae. Lee said South Korea must hurry its transition into a future-oriented, advanced military. His remarks came as the Navy recently submitted a formal request to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the acquisition of Korean nuclear-powered submarines. The request marks the first step in the country’s weapons acquisition process, under which the military formally lays out operational requirements, concepts of operation, the number of units needed and the timing of deployment for a new weapons system. “South Korea’s defense capabilities currently rank fifth in the world, and its annual defense spending far exceeds North Korea’s annual gross domestic product,” Lee said. “We already have sufficient capability to defend ourselves, but we must further strengthen our defense power in the face of the harsh international reality of self-reliance and survival of the fittest.” Lee also called for greater national efforts to foster the country’s defense industry by continuously expanding research and development budgets, localizing key components and strengthening public-private cooperation. “Winning a war is important, but efforts to build peace so that war does not break out are also very important,” he said. “Above all, what matters most is the attitude that we will take responsibility for and defend our own security.” Lee also called for a swift transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul, after U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson recently told the House Armed Services Committee that the transition could be completed before the first quarter of 2029. “Only with a firm commitment to self-reliant defense can we earn the respect of our friends and keep our alliance even stronger,” Lee said. “I ask that the transfer of wartime operational control proceed swiftly and smoothly, in a way that further strengthens the South Korea-U.S. alliance.” “True and capable security is not only about winning a war, but also about creating peace so that war does not break out,” Lee said. “We will do our utmost to strengthen our defense capabilities in a way that supports peace on the Korean Peninsula and South Korea’s continued progress.” 2026-05-26 11:27:51
  • Hanwha Power signs MOU with Canadian university to support submarine bid
    Hanwha Power signs MOU with Canadian university to support submarine bid SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Hanwha Power Systems said Tuesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Alberta to jointly conduct research and development on clean energy technologies, as part of efforts to support Hanwha Ocean’s bid for Canada’s submarine procurement project. The agreement, signed Friday, was arranged as part of an industrial and technological cooperation program linked to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, or CPSP, in which Hanwha Ocean is competing with Germany's TKMS. Under the MOU, Hanwha Power and the university will work on energy recycling technologies, including systems that generate electricity from gas turbine waste heat and pressure energy. The company also plans to explore the feasibility of applying such technologies in the North American market, drawing on the University of Alberta’s research capabilities and talent pipeline. Beyond joint R&D, the two sides will assess potential industries where the technologies could be used, review business structures and evaluate economic viability as part of efforts to move toward commercialization. “We are pleased to work with the University of Alberta, a hub of the energy industry,” said Michael Sicker, head of Hanwha Power Systems Americas. “We hope students will grow into future energy experts through this cooperation, while Hanwha Power will also gain a valuable opportunity to verify and advance its technologies in Canada.” David Bressler, vice president of international and enterprise at the University of Alberta, said, “This will also provide our students with a valuable foundation to apply basic research to real industrial settings.” 2026-05-26 10:40:46