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
  • North Korea says denuclearization should apply to U.S., allies before Pyongyang
    North Korea says denuclearization should apply to U.S., allies before Pyongyang SEOUL, July 11 (AJP) - North Korea on Saturday rejected renewed calls for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, arguing that the concept should instead be applied first to the United States, its Asian allies and NATO members. In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, a spokesperson for North Korea's Foreign Ministry said calls by South Korea, the United States and Japan for Pyongyang's denuclearization had "completely lost their relevance and realistic possibility" and would have no impact on the country's status. “The concept of denuclearization should first be applied to Japan and South Korea’s attempts to pursue their own nuclear armament under the active protection of the United States, as well as to NATO members’ pursuit of nuclear confrontation under the U.S. nuclear-sharing framework,” the spokesperson said. The statement appeared to be a response to discussions of the North Korean threat during the recent NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, as well as a trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of South Korea, the United States and Japan held on the sidelines of the summit. At their meeting on Monday, the three countries agreed to maintain close coordination on North Korea policy, including efforts to counter Pyongyang's illicit cyber activities, and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula while working to preserve peace and stability. The North also criticized NATO, saying the alliance should have "ceased to exist with the end of the Cold War." It accused NATO of systematically worsening Europe's security environment, shifting responsibility onto other countries and extending instability into the Asia-Pacific region through its "provocative actions." Echoing Russia's narrative on the war in Ukraine, the ministry also accused NATO of undermining European security through its eastward expansion and support for what it called "neo-Nazi forces." The spokesperson further argued that what Pyongyang described as the reckless behavior of "confrontational forces" was creating "a destructive threat" to the global security order and providing justification for North Korea to continue strengthening its military deterrence. 2026-07-11 14:55:38
  • China imposes immediate ban on helium exports amid supply concerns
    China imposes immediate ban on helium exports amid supply concerns SEOUL, July 11 (AJP) - China has temporarily banned helium exports with immediate effect, tightening control over a key material used in semiconductor, display and other advanced manufacturing industries. The Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs announced the measure on Friday, saying it was imposed under provisions of China’s Foreign Trade Law. The two agencies did not disclose the reason for the ban or how long it would remain in place. They said any subsequent adjustments would be announced separately. The measure took effect immediately upon its announcement. Helium is widely used as a coolant in semiconductor production and other high-tech processes because it remains stable at extremely low temperatures. It is also essential for medical equipment, including magnetic resonance imaging machines. The decision comes as the conflict involving Iran has disrupted global helium supplies and driven concerns over shortages and rising prices. China relies heavily on imported helium and appears to be seeking to secure supplies for its domestic chip industry. While South Korea’s direct reliance on Chinese helium is limited, the export ban could still tighten global supply. Qatar supplied about 65 percent of South Korea’s helium imports in 2025, while China accounted for less than 2 percent, according to the Korea International Trade Association. 2026-07-11 11:24:35
  • U.S. demands Iran publicly halt attacks on Hormuz shipping
    U.S. demands Iran publicly halt attacks on Hormuz shipping SEOUL, July 11 (AJP) - The United States is demanding that Iran publicly declare it will stop attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and reopen all shipping lanes without transit fees, senior U.S. officials said Friday. According to Reuters and Axios, the officials made the comments during a background briefing with a small group of reporters, saying recent talks with Iran had been “productive” but that Washington expected Tehran to take visible steps to de-escalate tensions. “What we are asking for is a public statement that all waterways in the Strait of Hormuz are open and that they will no longer fire on vessels,” one U.S. official was quoted as saying. “If they do not make such a statement, the outcome will not be good for them.” The official said Washington wants Iran to publicly acknowledge that it will stop firing on ships and, either explicitly or implicitly, admit that the recent attacks were a mistake. The official also said Iran should declare that all routes through the strait are open and that no transit fees will be imposed. “President Trump has instructed us to talk,” the official said. “But as the president has made clear, if they continue firing on vessels or take other hostile actions, we will retaliate.” One official described the situation inside Iran as a power struggle between hard-liners and officials who favor negotiations with the Trump administration over the implementation of a ceasefire memorandum of understanding and the next stage of talks. The officials also said any nuclear agreement with Iran would depend on Tehran handing over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States. Iran is believed to hold more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. They said Washington expects Iran to issue a statement after a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi in Muscat on Sunday. The United States and Iran signed a ceasefire memorandum of understanding on June 17, agreeing to discuss the suspension of Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions during a 60-day ceasefire period. But the talks have effectively broken down after Iran attacked commercial vessels using routes near the coast of Oman rather than shipping lanes designated by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to renewed military clashes between the two countries. Trump formally declared an end to the ceasefire Thursday, while Iran responded by saying there would be “no surrender,” raising fears of further escalation in one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. 2026-07-11 10:10:48
  • SK hynix ADRs jump 13% in Nasdaq debut as CEO vows AI leadership
    SK hynix ADRs jump 13% in Nasdaq debut as CEO vows AI leadership SEOUL, July 11 (AJP) - SK hynix made a strong debut on the Nasdaq on Thursday, with its American depositary receipts closing more than 13 percent above their offering price on the first day of trading. The South Korean chipmaker’s ADRs opened at $170 on the Nasdaq, after being priced at $149. They rose as high as $177 during intraday trading before giving back some gains to close at $168.49, up about 13.1 percent from the offering price. The offering price reflected a roughly 2.7 percent premium to SK hynix’s three-day average share price in the Korean market. Based on the closing ADR price and the exchange rate, the stock would translate into about 2.53 million won ($1,683) per Korean share, around 16 percent higher than SK hynix’s closing price of 2.18 million won on the Korea Exchange the previous day. A simple calculation based on the closing ADR price would put SK hynix’s market capitalization at about $1.2 trillion, surpassing U.S. rival Micron Technology’s roughly $1.1 trillion valuation. SK hynix offered a total of 177.9 million ADR shares, raising $26.51 billion. The amount marks the second-largest U.S. market offering after SpaceX’s $85.7 billion listing. The company plans to use the proceeds for new facility investments and other growth initiatives as demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) continues to surge amid the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The debut was marked by an opening bell ceremony at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, New York, on Friday morning. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, SK Group Senior Vice Chairman Chey Jae-won and SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung attended the ceremony, along with other senior executives. Chey and Kwak rang the opening bell as SK hynix officially began trading on the U.S. market. Large screens around Times Square displayed messages celebrating SK hynix’s Nasdaq listing, including “Welcome to Nasdaq,” the company’s ADR ticker and “Nasdaq Listed,” underscoring the symbolic nature of the company’s entry into the center of U.S. capital markets. Bob McCooey, vice chairman of Nasdaq, welcomed SK hynix to the exchange and described the listing as a meaningful milestone not only for the company but also for South Korea and Asian capital markets. “SK hynix begins a new journey in the global market as an AI technology leader,” Kwak said in a commemorative speech. Kwak reflected on the company’s recovery from a near-bankruptcy crisis 25 years ago and its transformation after joining SK Group in 2012. He said the company identified the need for HBM at a time when the future of advanced memory remained uncertain and became the first in the world to commercialize the technology. “HBM now stands at the center of the AI revolution,” he said. Kwak said the Nasdaq listing carries three major meanings for SK hynix: closer ties with the AI ecosystem in the United States, easier access for global investors and a stronger commitment to contributing to the industry. The ADR offering is expected to be settled on July 14, U.S. time. The newly issued common shares underlying the ADRs are scheduled to be listed on the Korea Exchange on July 29. “AI will be everywhere, and SK hynix will be wherever AI exists,” he said. 2026-07-11 08:49:34
  • Korean LCCs face uneven summer recovery despite easing fuel costs
    Korean LCCs face uneven summer recovery despite easing fuel costs SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Falling jet-fuel prices are beginning to ease travel costs for South Koreans, but the country's low-cost carriers are unlikely to enjoy an equally smooth recovery as a weak won, elevated operating costs and cautious capacity expansion continue to weigh on profitability during the peak summer vacation season. International fuel surcharges fell in July after benchmark jet-fuel prices retreated from highs reached during the recent Middle East conflict, raising hopes that airfares could ease further later this summer. For Korean Air, the July surcharge on international tickets was lowered to the 19th pricing tier from the 27th tier in June. The one-way surcharge on long-haul routes such as Incheon-New York fell to 344,000 won ($228) from 451,500 won a month earlier. Industry estimates suggest August surcharges could fall by another six pricing tiers if Singapore jet-fuel prices remain near recent levels. That relief, however, may come too late to meaningfully boost peak-season demand. A Korean Air official said the airline will announce its August fuel surcharge on July 16 after calculating the average jet-fuel price through July 15. Because many passengers traveling during the July-August vacation period have already purchased their tickets, any further reduction is expected to benefit travelers booking late-summer or autumn trips more than those flying during the busiest weeks. While fuel costs are easing, airlines remain cautious about restoring the international capacity they cut when oil prices surged and the won weakened sharply. According to publicly available industry tallies, South Korean low-cost carriers reduced more than 1,100 international round-trip flights following the Middle East conflict. Jeju Air cut 187 international round trips during May and June, Air Busan reduced 212, Eastar Jet 150 and Jin Air 176, with most reductions concentrated on medium-haul routes such as Guam and Vietnam's Phu Quoc. Those routes proved especially vulnerable because their longer flight times make airlines more exposed to fuel-price swings, while the won's prolonged weakness pushed up travel costs for Korean consumers visiting Southeast Asia. Rather than restoring every suspended route, airlines are selectively redeploying aircraft toward markets where demand is stronger and operating economics are more favorable. Eastar Jet plans to operate 110 irregular flights between July and October on three routes linking Incheon with Datong, Nantong and Ningbo, adding more than 20,000 seats to capture demand from Chinese travelers during the summer school holiday. Jeju Air is expanding flights to Japan, one of the strongest-performing outbound markets for Korean travelers. It will increase frequencies on its Incheon-Nagoya and Incheon-Matsuyama services to 21 weekly flights during July and August while adding flights on routes linking Incheon with Tokyo and Fukuoka as well as Busan with Osaka. Jin Air has launched a new Busan-Miyakojima service, while Air Busan has introduced new routes from Busan to Shizuoka and Takamatsu. The network changes highlight a broader industry strategy of prioritizing short-haul Northeast Asian destinations over longer Southeast Asian routes, where fuel costs and currency fluctuations continue to weigh more heavily on profitability. The timing is significant because summer remains the busiest period of the year for international travel. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, 4.86 million Koreans traveled abroad during July and August last year, accounting for about 16 percent of the year's 29.55 million outbound travelers. Inbound tourism is even more concentrated during the season. South Korea welcomed 3.55 million foreign visitors during July and August 2025, representing nearly 19 percent of the year's 18.94 million arrivals. Despite the seasonal demand, analysts say the second half of the year will depend less on passenger recovery than on whether airlines can restore profitability. Adding flights means higher spending on fuel, airport handling, crews and maintenance, while carriers continue to contend with a stubbornly weak won, elevated financing costs and balance sheets still recovering from earlier liquidity strains. Another risk is the return of fare wars. As airlines compete for recovering summer demand, promotional discounts could help fill seats but also erode yields. If aggressive fare competition overlaps with the costs of restoring suspended routes, rising passenger numbers may not translate into stronger earnings. "The recovery in travel demand is clearly encouraging, but profitability is a different story," an airline industry official said. "The challenge now is restoring capacity without sacrificing yields." The result is likely to be an uneven recovery across the industry. Carriers with dense networks to Japan and Northeast Asia appear better positioned to benefit from resilient short-haul demand, while airlines with heavier exposure to longer Southeast Asian routes may continue to face pressure even as jet-fuel prices retreat and international travel gradually recovers. 2026-07-10 17:09:46
  • Seoul says U.S. may consider building military ships in Korean yards
    Seoul says U.S. may consider building military ships in Korean yards SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - South Korea’s presidential office said Washington does not appear to rule out the possibility of having U.S. military vessels built in Korean shipyards, even as existing U.S. law poses major barriers to foreign construction of Navy ships. A senior presidential official made the remark Thursday during a briefing in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, after President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed military shipbuilding on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara earlier this week. The official said Seoul still needs to determine exactly what form of construction Trump has in mind, but added that the Korean side had received the impression that building the vessels in Korea was not being excluded. Trump first raised the idea at last month’s G7 summit, asking Lee whether South Korea could quickly build 10 U.S. warships. The two leaders briefly revisited the issue at a dinner during the NATO summit, but Seoul described the exchange as informal rather than a formal negotiation. The U.S. Department of Defense and the Navy recently sent requests for information to major South Korean shipbuilders, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries, seeking details on their ability to design and build combat vessels and medium-sized replenishment oilers. The biggest hurdle is the Byrnes-Tollefson Amendment, which effectively bars U.S. Navy vessels and major hull or superstructure components from being constructed in foreign shipyards unless specific exceptions are granted. The presidential official acknowledged that there would be questions over how to work around or resolve the legal restrictions, adding that the issue appears to involve both presidential authority and Congress. The official also said Seoul needs further working-level talks to clarify whether Trump’s request refers to full vessel construction, block construction, naval auxiliaries, military support vessels or other categories, as different rules may apply depending on the type of ship. The official said shipbuilding could become a key area of cooperation, combining Korea’s advanced shipbuilding capabilities and investment plans with broader efforts to strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance. 2026-07-10 10:43:40
  • Seoul to seek US understanding over Gwangju military airport tapped for chip hub
    Seoul to seek US understanding over Gwangju military airport tapped for chip hub SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) -South Korea will seek U.S. understanding over plans to redevelop Gwangju Military Airport, a facility earmarked to support U.S. air operations during a military contingency, after the site was selected for a massive new semiconductor cluster. The issue could require close coordination with Washington because the airport retains a wartime role under the South Korea-U.S. alliance even as Seoul prepares to relocate the base and turn the land into the centerpiece of its government-led Honam chip project. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Thursday that it had designated 364.19 square kilometers surrounding the planned cluster as a land transaction permit zone following a review by the Central Urban Planning Committee. The designation will remain in force from July 14 through July 13, 2028, requiring government approval for property transactions exceeding specified sizes. The controlled area covers all five districts of Gwangju as well as Naju, Jangseong and Hwasun in South Jeolla Province. The measure is intended to curb speculative buying and sharp land-price increases following the announcement of the large-scale development project. The government selected Gwangju Military Airport on Monday as the site of the Honam semiconductor cluster, where Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are expected to build a combined four fabrication plants. The broader project is tied to investment estimated at more than 800 trillion won ($530 billion), making the airport's relocation and the resolution of its alliance-related operational role critical to the project's timetable. Under the permit system, transactions involving land above certain sizes require approval from local government heads. Buyers of residential land must live on the site, while purchasers of commercial or industrial land must use it for actual business operations. Landowners are also subject to an actual-use obligation for up to five years, making speculative purchases difficult. The ministry and local authorities said they will closely monitor the newly designated zone and take stern action, in cooperation with relevant agencies, if suspicious transactions or illegal speculative activity are detected. Gwangju military airport is one of five South Korea-U.S. Air Force collocated operating bases in the country. Although no U.S. Air Force operational unit is permanently stationed there in peacetime, the base is maintained for the deployment of U.S. air assets in a contingency. Military officials and observers say relocating the airport will require consultations between Seoul and Washington under the Status of Forces Agreement, as part of the site is known to have been granted for U.S. military use. The Defense Ministry said it will “swiftly consult” with the U.S. side on ways to make the site available in time for the semiconductor project while preventing any security vacuum. The airport already has a preliminary relocation candidate site in Muan County, but the government’s decision to use the current site for the chip cluster has raised the possibility that the airfield may need to be vacated earlier than originally planned. One option under discussion is dispersing some functions of the ROK Air Force’s 1st Fighter Wing, which operates T-50 advanced trainers and conducts pilot training, to other bases before a new airport is completed. A Defense Ministry official said the government will push the policy in a way that allows both national security and the semiconductor industry to develop together. 2026-07-10 09:51:17
  • Opposition Grows Against Military Academy Merger Despite Heavy Rain
    Opposition Grows Against Military Academy Merger Despite Heavy Rain The heavy rains did not deter voices opposing the government's plan to merge military academies. On July 8, approximately 2,000 protesters gathered in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to oppose the government's proposal to merge the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies and relocate the Army Academy outside of Seoul.The rally, held on the steps of the National Assembly, was co-hosted by lawmakers Han Gi-ho and Lim Jong-deuk, alumni associations from the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies, parents of cadets, retired military personnel, and civic groups.Despite the pouring rain, attendance exceeded organizers' expectations. After the hour-long rally, representatives delivered a resolution to the Speaker of the National Assembly and then proceeded to the Ministry of National Defense to submit the resolution to Minister An Gyu-baek.Participants criticized the government's plans for the merger and relocation as "hasty and lacking sufficient review," calling for an immediate withdrawal of the proposals.This marks the first time the alumni associations of the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies have taken collective action on this issue. The government is considering a "2+2" model, where cadets from all branches would undergo common training in their first two years, followed by specialized training in their respective branches during their third and fourth years. The Ministry of National Defense is expected to announce a final plan as early as this month.The Ministry views the restructuring of the military academies not merely as a school merger but as a reconfiguration of the system for training future combat personnel. Minister An emphasized at a recent meeting of key military commanders that advanced technologies such as AI, drones, and quantum technology are changing the nature of warfare, stating the need to cultivate officers capable of designing drone battlefields and conceptualizing AI-based operational systems. He noted that the current educational methods may not adequately prepare the military for the future beyond 2040.Minister An also pointed to the decline in entrance exam scores for military academies as a signal of the need for reform, arguing that the current academies fail to instill confidence in talented individuals regarding their potential and vision. The Ministry maintains that while the expertise of each branch must be preserved, cadets should learn and train together from the academy stage to foster jointness. To achieve this, the Ministry is reviewing plans to enhance the educational goals, curriculum, faculty, facilities, and infrastructure of the academies, as well as to improve educational standards through partnerships with civilian universities.However, opponents argue that the assumption that merging the academies will directly lead to enhanced jointness is flawed. They contend that joint operations begin not with the blending of education across branches but with each branch developing its own expertise suited to its operational environment and missions before integrating.Alumni representatives from each military academy emphasized these concerns during the rally. They argued that Army officers need to develop field command capabilities to lead troops in ground operations, Navy officers must understand naval operations in the unique maritime environment, and Air Force officers should be trained in the speed and technical characteristics of aerospace operations from the outset.They believe that military academy education is not merely a classroom experience but a time to internalize each branch's culture and mission awareness. Just as Navy officers must grow by experiencing the sea and Air Force officers must learn the mindset of aerospace operations early on, they argue that each branch's identity cannot be formed solely through later-stage education.Debate continues over international examples. While countries like Canada and Australia operate integrated or common education-focused officer training systems, opponents argue that the scale of forces and security environments differ from South Korea, making direct comparisons difficult. Given South Korea's military standoff with North Korea, they assert that the ability to perform each branch's missions immediately upon commissioning is more critical.Some opponents cite Venezuela as a notable failure where the integration of military academies under former President Hugo Chávez was linked more to political control over the military than to military efficiency. Some retired military personnel point out that even North Korea, with its centralized military structure, operates separate training institutions for Air Force officers.Lawmaker Han Gi-ho stated, "National policy must have both justification and practical benefits," adding that the merger of military academies lacks both.A representative from the alumni association of the military academies described the proposal as a "hasty policy," arguing it would not aid in enhancing jointness or attracting top talent and would not yield significant financial benefits.He asserted, "National security cannot be a subject of experimentation" and should not become a scapegoat for political controversy.The resolution adopted at the rally emphasized that any restructuring of the officer training system should be based on thorough research and consensus among the public, military experts, retired personnel, educators, and parents of cadets, rather than political considerations.The resolution stated, "National security must never be a subject of policy experimentation," and that the officer training system responsible for the future of South Korea should not be swayed by political interests.Lee Yang-gu, the chair of the rally organizing committee, criticized the government's proposal for misunderstanding the essence of military joint operations.In an interview, he stated, "Simply educating cadets together does not create jointness; jointness is only possible after each branch has developed its own expertise."He explained that in the current military education system, jointness training occurs after each branch has built its own specialization. He noted, "Each branch trains officers while preserving its unique traditions and expertise, and then jointness is reinforced at institutions like the Joint Military University or the Joint Staff College," adding that there are separate Army, Navy, and Air Force academies, and jointness is enhanced at the Joint Staff College after reaching a certain rank.He further pointed out that actual joint operations are primarily handled by officers at the rank of major or higher in joint or combined commands, emphasizing that focusing on jointness training at the military academy level does not align with reality.A representative of parents of cadets expressed concern, stating, "Our children are confused and hurt by reports that their chosen military academy may be merged and that the Army Academy will be relocated." He added that the Ministry of National Defense has not adequately explained the plans to cadets or gathered their opinions.He also argued that relocating the Army Academy outside of Seoul could further diminish its appeal, which is already struggling to attract top talent. Daejeon's military education and training facility, Jowondae, is being considered as one of the candidates for the common training program.Lee emphasized, "If the government is worried about declining application rates, it should improve the treatment of professional soldiers, especially junior officers, as that is the way to attract top talent." 2026-07-10 08:04:00
  • Korea pivots to U.S. warship market after Canada setback
    Korea pivots to U.S. warship market after Canada setback SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - South Korea's shipbuilders wasted no time dwelling on their loss in Canada's multibillion-dollar submarine contest, shifting their focus to the far larger U.S. naval market as Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump elevated shipbuilding cooperation to the highest political level. The issue featured prominently during a reception and dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, where Lee and Trump held follow-up discussions on military shipbuilding just three weeks after the subject was raised during the Group of Seven summit in France. According to South Korea's presidential office, Lee told Trump that Seoul would cooperate "as much as possible" with the U.S. request and introduced Korean shipbuilders with world-class manufacturing capabilities. The two leaders agreed to continue working-level discussions on specific forms of cooperation. The renewed talks followed Trump's request during the G7 summit asking whether South Korea could rapidly build 10 U.S. warships, reflecting Washington's urgency in naval production bottlenecks and fleet capacity strains after its Gulf engagement. According to industry sources, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Navy recently sent requests for information (RFIs) to major Korean shipbuilders seeking detailed data on their capabilities to design and build combat vessels and medium-sized replenishment oilers. Among the vessels drawing particular U.S. interest is the Republic of Korea Navy's newest 3,600-ton Chungnam-class frigate, formally known as the Ulsan-class Batch-III. The 129-meter vessel incorporates significantly upgraded combat systems over the earlier Incheon- and Daegu-class frigates. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries designed and built the lead ship, Hanwha Ocean is constructing the fifth and sixth vessels, while SK Oceanplant is building the second through fourth ships. A U.S. Defense Department inspection team reportedly visited SK Oceanplant's shipyard in Goseong in May, boarding a Chungnam-class frigate under construction and closely inspecting the vessel's interior, exterior and production process. The American outreach comes on the heels of Hanwha Ocean's narrow defeat to Germany's TKMS in Canada's submarine competition, a setback that underscored the high barriers to cracking NATO-linked procurement despite Korea's technological competitiveness. Although the United States is NATO's leading military power, procurement decisions rest primarily with Washington rather than a smaller ally balancing alliance politics and European industrial interests. That gives the United States greater flexibility to prioritize industrial capability, production speed and cost efficiency over broader political considerations. Still, legal hurdles remain formidable. U.S. law effectively prohibits Navy vessels and major hull or superstructure components from being constructed overseas under the Byrnes-Tollefson Amendment unless specific exceptions are granted. That means Korean shipbuilders cannot simply build combat ships in domestic yards and export them directly to the United States. Instead, analysts expect any cooperation to evolve through more practical channels, including localized production in the United States, Korean-designed platforms, component supply and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. "Words alone will not make it happen," said Ryu Yeon-seung, head of the Defense and Security Research Institute, cautioning that Trump's remarks should not be interpreted as a guaranteed contract. Still, Ryu said discussions between the two governments are already underway and could develop into commercially viable cooperation. "Construction is more likely to take place in the United States," he said. "But that does not mean all the benefits would go to the United States." Korean companies could supply high-value components, contribute ship designs and establish long-term maintenance businesses as vessels require replacement parts, upgrades and overhauls throughout their service lives, he said. Korean shipbuilders have already begun building credibility in precisely that area. Hanwha Ocean completed a seven-month regular overhaul of the USNS Wally Schirra, a U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship, at its Geoje shipyard in March 2025. The U.S. Navy described the project as the first regular overhaul of that scale performed by a South Korean shipyard for one of its Military Sealift Command vessels. The work included dry docking, hull corrosion repairs and complete rudder replacement. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has since secured an MRO contract for the USNS Alan Shepard, a 41,000-ton dry cargo and ammunition ship assigned to the U.S. Seventh Fleet, with work carried out at HD Hyundai Mipo's Ulsan yard. HJ Shipbuilding & Construction has also entered the market through maintenance work on the USNS Amelia Earhart at its Busan shipyard. Those projects are increasingly viewed not as isolated repair contracts but as stepping stones toward deeper participation in the U.S. naval supply chain through component manufacturing, engineering support and, eventually, naval shipbuilding partnerships. For Korean shipbuilders, Canada may have demonstrated how difficult it is to crack NATO procurement. The United States could prove whether Korea's biggest competitive advantage — building sophisticated warships faster than almost anyone else — can ultimately outweigh legal and political barriers. 2026-07-09 17:15:31
  • Hanwha Systems begins sea trials for self-developed unmanned vessel
    Hanwha Systems begins sea trials for self-developed unmanned vessel SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems seeks to expand its presence in the global maritime unmanned systems market. A 30-ton unmanned surface vessel, developed with the company’s own investment, was successfully launched near Gadeok Bridge in Busan early last month and has begun sea trials while operating between Busan and Jangmok Port in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, the company said Thursday. Hanwha Systems said it is investing about 70 billion won ($46.5 million) to develop both the 30-ton vessel and a 140-ton unmanned surface vessel capable of combat missions, in line with the Navy’s push toward a maritime manned-unmanned teaming system known as Navy Sea GHOST. The 30-ton vessel will be used as a key testbed through the end of 2027 to verify advanced AI-based autonomous navigation technology and an open architecture system, the company said. Hanwha Systems said securing software architecture compatible with the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA) standard is essential for entering the global market. The company said testing will focus on difficult operational conditions, including autonomous navigation in narrow and congested waterways, safe operations in high waves and strong winds, and long-range autonomous navigation over hundreds of kilometers. The company plans to launch its 140-ton unmanned surface vessel later this year as it seeks to secure a position in the global market for maritime unmanned systems. Shares of Hanwha Systems were trading at 65,400 won on the Korea Exchange on Thursday, up 500 won, or 0.8 percent. “Hanwha Systems has built unmatched technological capabilities by developing unmanned surface vessels that have gone through strict defense-sector verification, including South Korea’s first unmanned surface vessel and participation in swarm USV development,” said Yoo Moon-ki, head of Hanwha Systems’ naval business division. “We will expand the reach of South Korea’s maritime defense technology globally through Hanwha Systems’ unmanned surface vessels, which integrate global standards, advanced AI autonomous navigation technology and command-and-control technology,” he said. 2026-07-09 13:35:27