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
  • Crest, ROBROS to test hot-swappable battery system for humanoid robots
    Crest, ROBROS to test hot-swappable battery system for humanoid robots SEOUL, August 07 (AJP) - Crest, a South Korean developer of battery systems for industrial robots, has been selected to lead a government-backed project to test domestically developed components for humanoid robots, the company said Friday. Under the 2026 Demonstration Project for Humanoid Robot Components overseen by the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement, Crest will work with AI humanoid developer ROBROS to demonstrate a hot-swappable battery system and charging station for the IGRIS-C industrial humanoid robot. The IGRIS-C stands 154 centimeters tall and weighs 56 kilograms. It uses a vision-language-action, or VLA, model to recognize its surroundings and perform assigned tasks. The robot is designed for use in laboratories and offices as well as confined industrial environments. Hot-swapping allows a robot’s battery to be replaced without shutting down the machine. Crest said the technology could reduce downtime to nearly zero and support around-the-clock operation at factories and logistics facilities. The project is intended to raise the localization rate of key humanoid components and accelerate their commercialization through testing in real operating environments. The demonstration will continue through the end of this year. Crest and ROBROS signed a development and supply agreement for the battery system in June. After completing the demonstration, the companies plan to pursue commercialization during a three-year project utilization period. Continuous operation and mass production are emerging as key challenges for the humanoid industry as global technology companies and automakers move beyond prototype demonstrations toward the deployment of robots in industrial workplaces. “Through this demonstration, we will strengthen the competitiveness of domestically developed humanoid components and establish a foundation for entering the global market,” Crest CEO Lee Jung-hwi said. AJP Takeaways △ Crest Co., Ltd. was selected to lead a 2026 government-backed project testing domestically developed components for humanoid robots. △ Crest and ROBROS will test a hot-swappable battery system and charging station for the IGRIS-C humanoid robot through December 2026. △ The system allows batteries to be replaced without shutting down the robot, supporting continuous operation in factories and logistics facilities. △ Crest and ROBROS plan to commercialize the technology after the demonstration and expand its use to construction sites and smart buildings. 2026-08-07 11:21:37
  • Tway Air begins new chapter as Trinity Airways
    T'way Air begins new chapter as Trinity Airways SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - T’way Air has rebranded as Trinity Airways, unveiling a new service model, brand identity and employee uniforms as it seeks to position itself as a global carrier. The airline presented the changes at a brand launch and uniform runway event in Seoul on Aug. 6, its first official event since changing its corporate name. Cabin crew, pilots and other employees modeled the new uniforms during the event. Trinity Airways introduced “Relaxed and Reliable” as its new brand mission, saying it aims to provide a comfortable travel experience built on safety and trust. The carrier also plans to use the hotel and resort network of its parent, Sono Trinity Group, to connect flights, accommodation and other travel services. The airline will overhaul its meal service by the end of this year, expanding it beyond existing long-haul routes to medium-haul destinations such as Jakarta and Singapore. Long-haul passengers will receive two meals on one-way flights, while medium-haul passengers will receive one. Business-class service will add salads, fruit, bread, wine and beer, while economy meals will include improved salad and beverage options. The new uniforms feature “Trinity Gray” as the main color with rose-gold accents. They are made with stretch fabric to improve comfort and mobility, while pilots will receive cardigans for the first time to accommodate temperature changes during long-haul flights. “This rebranding is not simply about changing our name, but about creating new reasons for customers to choose Trinity Airways,” a company official said. “We will focus on the services customers value most and grow into a global airline by combining aviation with hospitality.” 2026-08-06 17:12:02
  • Korea charts clean Arctic course amid shadow fleet
    Korea charts clean Arctic course amid shadow fleet SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - Russia's growing shadow fleet has exposed the environmental and regulatory risks lurking behind the rapidly opening Arctic shipping route, creating an unexpected opportunity for South Korea to market itself as a cleaner and more transparent alternative as it prepares its first container voyage through polar waters. Despite the war in Ukraine and sweeping Western sanctions, at least 100 ships legally transited Russia's Northern Sea Route last year—about one-third of all cargo vessels using the Arctic passage and a sharp increase from just 13 a year earlier. Many were aging vessels operating with inadequate insurance, questionable flags or disabled Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking equipment, reinforcing the route's reputation among major global shipping companies as a high-risk corridor despite its commercial appeal. Moscow is simultaneously expanding a separate shadow fleet of liquefied natural gas carriers to keep Arctic energy exports flowing despite sanctions. Russia added eight secondhand LNG carriers over the past six months, bringing the fleet to 25 vessels as it seeks to sustain shipments from sanctioned projects such as Arctic LNG 2, one of the Kremlin's key sources of wartime revenue. The expansion also highlights the Arctic's long-term environmental challenge. As climate change makes northern waters increasingly navigable, more poorly regulated vessels are entering one of the world's most fragile marine environments, where accidents and oil spills are among the most difficult anywhere to contain. Sigurd Enge, a senior adviser at Norwegian environmental group Bellona, said conventional spill-response equipment is poorly suited to Arctic winter conditions, where darkness, sea ice, rough seas and powerful currents severely hamper containment efforts. "A number of the vessels in Russia's shadow fleet are grossly violating these regulations," Enge said. Since 2017, ships operating in polar waters have been subject to the International Maritime Organization's mandatory Polar Code, which establishes standards for ship design, equipment, crew training, operations and pollution prevention. The IMO also prohibited the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil in Arctic waters from July 2024, although exemptions and transitional waivers allow some vessels to continue operating until 2029. The widening gap between expanding Arctic traffic and uneven environmental compliance is precisely where South Korea believes it can differentiate itself. PanStar Group, a midsized Busan-based shipping company, is targeting Aug. 22 for South Korea's first trial container voyage through the Northern Sea Route. Rather than competing on sanctions avoidance or low-cost operations, Seoul hopes to demonstrate that Arctic shipping can be commercially viable while meeting the environmental, safety and transparency standards increasingly demanded by Western governments and cargo owners. PanStar plans to deploy the PanStar Acro, formerly HMM's 2,758-TEU container ship Mombasa, acquired from South Korea's largest container carrier. Although the purchase agreement has been completed, the vessel has yet to be delivered because HMM must first unload cargo from its final commercial voyage. The ship will then undergo modifications required for Arctic navigation before its scheduled departure later this month. Russia and China currently possess the greatest operational experience along the Northern Sea Route. Yet Jeong Ji-hoon, secretary-general of the Korea Arctic Research Consortium, said operating experience alone should not be mistaken for leadership in the environmental standards now emerging for Arctic shipping. The clearest evasive practices have been associated with Russia's shadow fleet. Some vessels have switched off AIS tracking systems, repeatedly changed names or operated through third-country shell companies, making it harder for authorities to monitor movements, verify compliance or respond quickly when accidents occur. That enforcement gap may also represent South Korea's greatest commercial opportunity. Jeong said sustainability now sits at the center of the government's Arctic strategy. "The basic idea is that the shorter distance can reduce fuel consumption as well as carbon dioxide, black carbon and other pollutants generated during a voyage," he said. The Northern Sea Route is roughly 30 percent shorter than the traditional passage through the Suez Canal. But Jeong stressed that distance alone does not make Arctic shipping environmentally sustainable. International maritime regulations are steadily moving toward cleaner fuels and stricter environmental and safety standards for polar operations, he said. "This direction is inevitable, not optional," Jeong said. "The question is whether Korea can move first and lead the market as those rules take shape." Korea's competitive advantage extends beyond shipbuilding itself. An OECD peer review published in April said alternative-fuel-capable vessels accounted for roughly 62 percent of South Korea’s shipbuilding orderbook. Building on its strength in LNG-powered ships, Korean yards are expanding into methanol-, ammonia- and hydrogen-based propulsion, supported by multibillion-dollar government programs for green-vessel development and clean-fuel bunkering infrastructure. Other countries can also build environmentally friendly ships. Korea's opportunity lies in combining advanced shipbuilding with transparent operations, reliable tracking and environmental compliance that can earn the confidence of Western regulators, insurers and cargo owners increasingly wary of opaque Arctic shipping. As the Northern Sea Route gradually shifts from a geopolitical experiment to a commercial trade corridor, the race may ultimately be decided not by who reaches the Arctic first, but by who convinces the world they can navigate it most safely, transparently and sustainably. AJP Takeaways △ South Korea's PanStar Group targets August 22, 2026, for the country's first trial container voyage through Russia's Northern Sea Route, using the PanStar Acro (formerly HMM's Mombasa). △ At least 100 ships transited the Northern Sea Route last year, up from 13 the year before, many linked to Russia's "shadow fleet." △ Russia's shadow LNG fleet has grown to 25 vessels, supporting exports from sanctioned projects like Arctic LNG 2. △ Heavy fuel oil was banned in Arctic waters from July 2024 under IMO rules, with exemptions until 2029. △ An OECD review (April 2026) found alternative-fuel-capable vessels make up about 62 percent of South Korea's shipbuilding orderbook. 2026-08-06 17:02:19
  • Gwangju airport move to Muan may come sooner under chip cluster plan
    Gwangju airport move to Muan may come sooner under chip cluster plan SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - The planned relocation of domestic flights from Gwangju Airport to Muan International Airport could take place earlier than expected as the government moves to secure the Gwangju military air base site for a semiconductor cluster. The civilian airport had originally been scheduled to move upon completion of the second phase of the Honam high-speed railway, now slated for 2031, as the new rail link was expected to improve access to Muan Airport for passengers from Gwangju. That timetable has become less relevant, however, because of delays in the railway project and a new government plan to relocate military functions from Gwangju in stages. The military air base site has emerged as a candidate location for a national semiconductor industrial complex that could host production facilities operated by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. To secure the land more quickly, the government is considering moving the fighter wing, education and training functions to several locations rather than waiting for the entire military base to be transferred at once. Gwangju’s civilian airport currently relies on the military base’s runway, air traffic control and safety facilities. It would therefore be unable to continue operating at its current location once military operations are reduced or suspended. The government is also seeking to reopen Muan International Airport without excessive delay while continuing recovery work and the investigation related to the earlier accident. Once Muan Airport resumes normal operations and the military relocation plan is finalized, domestic flights from Gwangju could be transferred before the new rail connection opens. Muan Airport has remained closed to regular passenger flights since the Dec. 29, 2024 Jeju Air crash, which killed 179 of the 181 people aboard. The aircraft made a belly landing, overran the runway and struck a concrete structure near the runway’s end, and the cause remains under investigation as authorities carry out recovery work and safety improvements ahead of a possible reopening. Regional authorities would then need to improve ground transportation to Muan Airport, including additional airport buses and new direct routes, to reduce inconvenience for passengers from Gwangju. “If military functions are relocated, the civilian airport will have no choice but to move to Muan at the same time,” a regional official said. “Although no detailed military relocation schedule has been announced, the civilian airport transfer is expected to happen earlier than originally planned.” AJP Takeaways Gwangju Airport's civilian flights may move to Muan International Airport earlier than planned, as Seoul moves to secure the Gwangju military air base for a semiconductor cluster. The relocation was originally tied to the Honam high-speed railway's second phase, now delayed to 2031. The Gwangju air base site is a candidate for a national semiconductor complex potentially hosting Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Muan International Airport has been closed to passenger flights since the Jeju Air crash on December 29, 2024, which killed 179 of 181 aboard. 2026-08-06 14:21:05
  • Korean military eyes leniency to fight gambling addiction in conscripts
    Korean military eyes leniency to fight gambling addiction in conscripts SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) -South Korea's Defense Ministry is considering offering reduced penalties to service members who voluntarily report illegal online gambling, marking a shift toward treating gambling addiction as a military readiness and welfare issue rather than solely a criminal offense. In a written reply to Rep. Cheon Ha-ram, a member of the National Assembly's Defense Committee, the ministry said it is reviewing a self-reporting program under which troops who come forward could receive lighter administrative or criminal penalties while gaining access to counseling, addiction treatment and debt recovery support. The proposal mirrors a self-reporting program recently introduced for teenage gamblers, reflecting a broader government effort to emphasize rehabilitation over punishment. Under South Korea's conscription system, most able-bodied men serve about 18 months in the military, putting the armed forces at the intersection of wider social problems affecting young adults. Away from family and friends during nearly two years of compulsory service, young conscripts can be especially vulnerable to online gambling once smartphones place betting apps within easy reach, prompting officials to rethink whether punishment alone can address the problem. Army Headquarters said military police booked 313 service members on illegal online gambling charges last year, including 20 officers and noncommissioned officers and 293 enlisted soldiers. While that represents only a small share of the Army's roughly 324,000 personnel, officials acknowledge the true scale is likely larger because gambling addiction often remains hidden. Financial distress has emerged as a growing concern. In one case, a discharged soldier reportedly used tens of millions of won accumulated through the government's military savings program to repay gambling debts. Private lending websites have also carried posts from active-duty soldiers seeking loans against expected payouts from military savings accounts and matching government contributions—benefits intended to help conscripts build financial security after service. A Defense Ministry study based on in-depth interviews with 52 service members who had engaged in illegal gambling found that 80 percent had already begun gambling before entering the military, suggesting the problem largely predates enlistment rather than originating during service. The ministry currently provides financial education, refers gambling offenders to treatment centers and offers rehabilitation and debt restructuring programs alongside criminal proceedings. Cheon argued that changing conditions inside the military require a stronger policy response. Military pay has risen sharply in recent years, while personal smartphone use has become commonplace since the Defense Ministry permanently allowed enlisted troops to use their devices during off-duty hours in 2020. "The ministry should move beyond a general review and introduce stronger and more effective measures," Cheon said. "Clear incentives, including meaningful reductions in criminal liability, are essential to bring hidden gambling problems into the open." Whether the ministry ultimately grants reduced criminal penalties will likely determine whether the proposed program becomes a meaningful tool for uncovering hidden addiction or remains another counseling initiative with limited participation. AJP Takeaways South Korea's Ministry of National Defense is reviewing a voluntary self-reporting program offering reduced penalties to service members who disclose illegal online gambling. The review was disclosed in a written response to lawmaker Cheon Ha-ram of the National Assembly's defense committee. Republic of Korea Army Headquarters reported 313 service members booked for illegal online gambling last year (20 officers/NCOs, 293 enlisted), out of about 324,000 total Army personnel. A ministry study of 52 gambling-involved service members found 80 percent had gambled before enlisting. Smartphone use after duty began on trial in April 2019, went nationwide in July 2020; current hours are 6–9 p.m. weekdays, 8:30 a.m.–9 p.m. weekends/holidays. 2026-08-06 10:39:09
  • Exclusive: Why a midsized Busan shipper is taking on Koreas first Arctic voyage
    Exclusive: Why a midsized Busan shipper is taking on Korea's first Arctic voyage SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - A midsized carrier from Busan is venturing through Russian Arctic waters in what would be South Korea's maiden container voyage along the Northern Sea Route after bigger shipping lines bowed out over sanctions risks and resistance from environmentally conscious global cargo owners. PanStar Group is keeping to its target of departing Busan for Rotterdam around Aug. 22, a source at the shipping and logistics group told AJP. "There has been no change to our Aug. 22 departure target so far," the source said. The confirmation provides greater clarity over the schedule after the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said earlier this week that it was considering a departure in either August or September but had not finalized a departure date. PanStar is preparing to deploy the 2,758-TEU HMM Mombasa, which it purchased from South Korea's largest container carrier, HMM. The vessel will be renamed PanStar Acro. Although the purchase agreement has been completed, the ship has yet to be physically delivered because HMM must first unload cargo from its final commercial voyage, the source said. Once handed over, the vessel will enter a shipyard for its name change and modifications required for Arctic navigation. The work is expected to continue until shortly before departure. The round trip between Busan and Rotterdam is expected to take about 40 to 45 days, with the return voyage calling at Hamburg and Gdansk, Poland. A project larger carriers would not take PanStar was the only company to apply for the government-backed trial despite Seoul's ambition to use the voyage as the first step toward a regular express shipping route between Northeast Asia and Europe. The Korea Ocean Business Corp. and the Korea Shipowners' Association opened applications on April 27 and accepted bids through May 11. PanStar Line Dot Com, the sole applicant, was selected as the preliminary operator on May 15 after an evaluation committee review. The source said PanStar had never intended to lead the project and believed it would ordinarily have been the domain of one of South Korea's major container carriers. "We did not raise our hand because this was something we particularly wanted to do," the source said. "Considering the scale of the project, it would have made more sense for a larger shipping company to undertake it." Instead, those carriers stayed away because of the commercial and geopolitical risks. Most of the Northern Sea Route runs through waters administered by Russia. Ships may require Russian permits, navigation information, weather services and icebreaker assistance, raising concerns that related payments could conflict with Western sanctions. Major carriers also face greater exposure because their vessels regularly call at U.S. ports and many of their largest customers are multinational companies with strict sanctions compliance requirements, the source said. Environmental opposition has added another hurdle. Nike and Ocean Conservancy launched the Arctic Corporate Shipping Pledge in 2019, under which consumer brands agree not to intentionally transport products through Arctic shipping routes. Signatories include H&M Group, Gap, Kering, Ralph Lauren, Puma and Inditex, while logistics companies such as DHL have also joined. Several major container lines, including CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC, have adopted similar commitments. MSC most recently reaffirmed in September 2025 that it would avoid the Northern Sea Route, citing potential harm to the Arctic's fragile ecosystem, melting ice caps and remote communities. "Given sanctions, international regulations and other constraints, it is difficult for major shipping lines to participate," the source said. "In the end, no carrier was willing to take it on." The Korea Shipowners' Association subsequently approached PanStar. According to the source, the association viewed the company as a practical candidate because it primarily serves Korea, China and Japan rather than the United States, has experience opening new maritime services and is headquartered in Busan, where the voyage will begin and end. PanStar ultimately agreed after internal discussions. "Our chairman decided that someone had to do it for the country," the source said. "Since nobody else was willing, we agreed to take it on even though it would be difficult." Support comes only after completion Although the project is backed by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Ocean Business Corp. and the Korea Shipowners' Association, it receives no direct government budget. Instead, the Korea Shipowners' Association will provide up to 4 billion won ($2.8 million) from an industry fund. The money is also largely paid only after the voyage is completed rather than covering preparation costs in advance. Under the arrangement, 3 billion won is tied to the successful completion of the voyage, while another 1 billion won will be paid if the round-trip carries at least 2,000 TEUs. "There is no money directly provided by the government," the source said. "The support is settled afterward if we complete the Arctic voyage safely, and even the maximum amount is only 4 billion won." PanStar said it had secured or was discussing shipments of automobile parts, synthetic resins, used vehicles, food, liquid cargo, cosmetics and steel products. The company also said inquiries and bookings for transshipment cargo from Japan and China were increasing. The company has not decided whether to hold a public departure ceremony or open the vessel to the media before sailing, pending discussions with the oceans ministry. If successful, the voyage would shorten the traditional Busan-to-Rotterdam route via the Suez Canal by about 8,000 kilometers, or 36 percent. Yet PanStar's experience also illustrates the gap between the Northern Sea Route's strategic promise and its commercial reality. While the Arctic passage offers a significantly shorter link between Northeast Asia and Europe, dependence on Russian-controlled waters, sanctions uncertainty, environmental opposition and still-limited cargo demand continue to keep the world's largest container lines on the sidelines. AJP Takeaway: PanStar Group is preparing what would be South Korea's first container voyage through the Northern Sea Route, with a target departure from Busan around Aug. 22. The Russian Arctic route promises to shorten the Busan-Rotterdam voyage by about 8,000 kilometers, or 36 percent, compared with the traditional Suez Canal route. Larger global container lines declined to participate because of Russia-related sanctions risks, compliance concerns and environmental opposition from multinational cargo owners. PanStar became the sole operator of the government-backed trial after being approached by the Korea Shipowners' Association, with financial support paid largely only after the voyage is successfully completed. 2026-08-05 16:19:23
  • White House asks Congress to grant overseas building of Navy ships
    White House asks Congress to grant overseas building of Navy ships SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - The White House has asked Congress to authorize the U.S. Navy to order two surface combatants and two noncombat auxiliary ships from overseas shipyards, a proposal that could create opportunities for major shipbuilders in South Korea and Japan. The request was included in the administration’s July 21 policy statement on the House version of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. The White House Office of Management and Budget objected to a House provision that would block the Navy from purchasing battle-force ships built abroad. It said the administration instead wants authority to contract foreign yards for four ships, while requiring the builders to make significant investments in U.S. shipyards. The administration argues that limited overseas construction could help ease delays at American shipyards and expand domestic capacity over the longer term. Its proposal draws on what officials call the “Finland model,” under which the first vessels are built rapidly at an allied shipyard while the foreign builder invests in U.S. facilities and transfers production technology. Subsequent ships would then be built in the United States. The model was first applied to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic Security Cutter program. South Korea and Japan are widely viewed as leading candidates. An OMB official said in May that the administration had been in discussions with South Korea’s Hanwha, HD Hyundai and Samsung Heavy Industries, as well as several Japanese shipbuilders, over possible U.S. Navy construction projects. Under the concept discussed by the administration, the hull and other non-sensitive portions of the first warships could be built overseas, while an American defense contractor would handle combat-system integration. Foreign builders would also be required to establish or expand shipbuilding facilities in the United States. The proposal, however, faces resistance in Congress. The House-passed NDAA would prohibit the acquisition of battle-force ships built at foreign yards, while the Senate Armed Services Committee’s version would permit only up to two bulk fuel or strategic sealift vessels to be procured overseas. The Senate proposal would also require the foreign contractor to invest in the U.S. maritime industrial base and move production and supply chains to the United States for follow-on vessels. Current federal law generally requires U.S. Navy ships to be built domestically, although the president may waive the restriction when doing so is considered necessary for national security. The differences between the administration and Congress are expected to become a major point of debate as lawmakers negotiate the final version of the defense bill. Key Takeaways ○ On July 21, 2026, the White House asked Congress to let the U.S. Navy build four ships (two surface combatants, two auxiliaries) overseas under the FY2027 NDAA, requiring foreign builders to invest in U.S. shipyards. ○ Discussed candidates (as of May 2026): South Korea's Hanwha, HD Hyundai, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Japanese shipbuilders. ○ Model: the "Finland model" — allied yards build first ships fast, transfer tech to U.S. facilities, later ships built domestically. ○​​​​​​​ Congress is split: the House NDAA bans foreign-built battle-force ships; the Senate version allows up to two overseas-built sealift/fuel vessels. ○​​​​​​​ U.S. law requires domestic shipbuilding by default, but the President can waive it for national security.​​​​​​​ 2026-08-05 11:19:46
  • NEO Battery Materials to invest $62 million in Gimje battery hub
    NEO Battery Materials to invest $62 million in Gimje battery hub SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - Canadian battery technology company NEO Battery Materials will invest $62 million to expand a production hub for next-generation batteries used in drones, defense systems and other high-performance applications in Gimje, North Jeolla Province. The company’s Korean subsidiary signed an investment agreement Tuesday with Jeonbuk State and the city of Gimje at its first factory in the Gimje Free Trade Zone. Under the agreement, NEO Battery Materials Korea will invest the funds in stages through 2030 to expand manufacturing facilities and research and development infrastructure. Once completed, the Gimje site will have annual production capacity of 1.5 gigawatt-hours of battery electrodes and 1 GWh of battery cells. The company plans to supply high-energy and high-power batteries to customers in North America, Europe and other global markets. Canada-based NEO Battery Materials develops high-performance lithium-ion batteries using silicon-anode technology for drones, robotics, electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The company has been expanding its presence in Gimje since securing a long-term lease for its first battery manufacturing facility in November 2025. NEO Battery Materials began generating its first commercial revenue in fiscal 2026 and has started delivering drone battery cells and packs to South Korean defense drone manufacturers for testing and field validation. The company is also seeking to build a battery supply chain with reduced dependence on Chinese materials and components. Jeonbuk State expects the investment to help develop Gimje into a battery industry hub covering the full process from research and development to mass production. “This investment marks an important milestone in Jeonbuk’s emergence as a global center for the advanced battery industry,” Jeonbuk Gov. Lee Won-taek said. 2026-08-04 17:44:31
  • From princesses to students, conscription makes a global comeback
    From princesses to students, conscription makes a global comeback SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, together with growing doubts about U.S. security guarantees, are driving a global revival of military conscription as governments conclude that technology alone cannot supply enough soldiers for a prolonged conflict. Royalty is no exception. Princess Isabella, second in line to the Danish throne, made international headlines on Monday when she reported to a military barracks in Slagelse to begin 11 months of military service, joining about 1,600 recruits in the first intake under Denmark's expanded conscription system. The 19-year-old princess will serve with the Guard Hussar Regiment as Denmark lengthens compulsory military service from four months to 11 months and extends conscription liability to women for the first time. Copenhagen plans to increase annual conscription from about 5,000 recruits to 7,500 by 2033. The new recruits will undergo five months of basic training followed by six months of operational service. Denmark is also introducing specialized tracks, including a drone platoon under its Special Operations Command, illustrating how modern militaries are pairing advanced technology with larger manpower requirements. Later this month, Denmark plans to deploy conscripts to Greenland for the first time. More than 100 soldiers are expected to spend a month there performing operational duties previously handled by professional troops. The move reflects growing concern over Russia and Arctic security, while also highlighting tensions with Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed interest in bringing the semi-autonomous Danish territory under U.S. control. Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea. Europe has become the epicenter of the broader shift. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has forced governments to reconsider whether the relatively small professional militaries built after the Cold War can generate enough troops and reserves to sustain a prolonged war. An analysis by the European Parliamentary Research Service found that conscription has increasingly returned to European and global policy debates since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The war has exposed a hard lesson for military planners: drones, artificial intelligence and precision weapons can transform the battlefield, but they cannot replace soldiers. "Lessons from the battlefield in Ukraine have shown that technology cannot replace head counts," Carnegie Endowment researchers Sophia Besch and Katrine Westgaard wrote, noting that Ukraine has struggled to recruit enough troops to match Russia's mobilization while European militaries have long grappled with recruitment and retention problems. The scale of the conflict underscores the challenge. A July 2026 estimate by the Center for Strategic and International Studies put combined Russian and Ukrainian military casualties at more than 2 million, while Ukraine sought around 2 million large-caliber artillery rounds for 2025 alone. NATO's renewed emphasis on territorial defense has only intensified demand for manpower. Unlike the smaller overseas missions that shaped many European militaries after the Cold War, the alliance's regional defense plans assume a prolonged conflict requiring substantially larger numbers of active-duty personnel and reservists. "We are in collective defense and likely in an attrition war that requires way more manpower than we currently have," a senior NATO official told The Associated Press. Questions over the future scale of U.S. military support have added further urgency. A joint study by Bruegel and the Kiel Institute estimated that Europe would need roughly 50 additional brigades to replace the combat capability the United States could provide during a major conflict. The researchers estimated Europe could require 300,000 additional troops and at least 250 billion euros in extra annual defense spending to deter Russian aggression in the near term. Public interest in military service also appears to be recovering in parts of Europe. All 1,600 recruits entering Denmark's new 11-month program this month volunteered, according to the Danish military. Germany received about 56,000 military-service applications in 2025, up 9 percent from a year earlier, while new enlistments rose 23 percent to around 25,000, the strongest result since conscription was suspended in 2011. The Netherlands has likewise reported growing interest in reserve service, helped by the highly publicized participation of Crown Princess Amalia. South Korea presents a different challenge. Unlike much of Europe, it never abandoned conscription. Instead, the country is confronting a rapidly shrinking pool of military-age men as its record-low birth rate collides with growing security demands. South Korea has maintained compulsory military service for more than seven decades, beginning with the Military Service Act of 1949 and reinforcing the system during and after the Korean War. Men are registered for military service in the year they turn 18 and generally undergo physical examinations at 19 before being assigned to active duty or other forms of service based on their physical classification. Army service currently lasts 18 months. The demographic squeeze has fueled debate over a more selective volunteer system, greater reliance on technically skilled noncommissioned officers and whether women should eventually be included in compulsory service. The Defense Ministry is simultaneously pursuing a more manpower-efficient force built around artificial intelligence, manned-unmanned teaming, professional personnel and stronger reserve forces. Yet Ukraine's experience has underscored the limits of relying on technology alone. For many young South Korean men, military service is also a career decision. Male students in medicine, dentistry, Korean medicine and veterinary medicine who postpone enlistment may later serve for about three years as commissioned medical or veterinary officers. Because ordinary Army service lasts 18 months, some choose to enlist before graduation to complete their obligation sooner. Kim Jae-hyun, a 26-year-old veterinary medicine student at Kangwon National University, was one of them. "I entered university after taking the college entrance exam three times, so I felt that graduating and then serving another three years as a veterinary officer would set me back too much," Kim said. "My parents agreed. I knew enlisted service might be more physically demanding, but I wanted to finish my obligation as quickly as possible." Even then, he questioned the cost. "Even though I served only a year and a half, it still felt like lost time," he said. "It felt like a waste." That tension between recognizing the need for national defense and accepting its personal cost extends well beyond South Korea. A 2025 Ipsos survey across 30 countries found that 52 percent of respondents supported mandatory military service for young people. Yet only 48 percent said they would personally participate in formal military training to prepare for a foreign invasion. Support for compulsory service reached 76 percent in Malaysia, 73 percent in Singapore and 68 percent in South Korea, but fell to 35 percent in the United States and just 17 percent in Japan. South Koreans also showed relatively strong personal willingness to train, at 62 percent, compared with 39 percent in the United States and 32 percent in Japan. The findings highlight the dilemma confronting governments across the world. After decades of shrinking armies while investing heavily in increasingly sophisticated weapons, prolonged wars are reminding defense planners that deterrence ultimately depends not only on drones, missiles and artificial intelligence, but also on having enough people willing—or required—to fight. Governments are rediscovering the value of manpower. Whether their citizens are equally prepared to make the sacrifice remains the more difficult question. 2026-08-04 17:23:08
  • ROK Navy appoints first woman to command major naval vessel
    ROK Navy appoints first woman to command major naval vessel SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - The Republic of Korea Navy has appointed Capt. Bae Sun-young as commanding officer of ROKS Dokdo, making her the first woman to command one of the service’s major vessels. Bae will formally take command of the ship on Wednesday, the Navy said Tuesday. Captains are the highest-ranking commanding officers assigned to Navy ships and lead major vessels such as amphibious assault ships, destroyers and large logistics support ships. No female officer had previously commanded a ship at that level. Bae entered the Republic of Korea Naval Academy in 1999 as a member of its 57th class, the first class to admit female cadets, and was commissioned in 2003. An experienced operations officer, she has served as commander of Chamsuri patrol boat No. 282, operations officer aboard the corvette ROKS Namwon and commanding officer of the minelayer ROKS Wonsan. She also previously served aboard ROKS Dokdo as a deck officer. Bae recently served as head of the Maritime Operations Center at the Combined Forces Maritime Component Command during the 2026 Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), where the South Korean Navy led multinational maritime forces. “My experience aboard a wide range of vessels, from combat ships to support vessels, has taught me to view situations from multiple perspectives,” Bae said. “Based on that operational experience, I will ensure that ROKS Dokdo can fully carry out combined and joint operations in any contingency.” She said returning to the ship as its commanding officer was both an honor and a major responsibility. “I understand the operational characteristics of ROKS Dokdo better than most,” she said. “I will communicate closely with the crew and bring out the ship’s full potential.” Addressing junior female officers, Bae said the path was not easy but encouraged them to continue serving with pride. ROKS Dokdo, the Navy’s first large amphibious transport ship, displaces 14,500 tons and measures 199 meters long and 30 meters wide. It can carry more than 300 crew members and up to 700 additional troops, along with helicopters, tanks, amphibious assault vehicles and other military equipment. 2026-08-04 15:59:46