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
  • S. Korea, US defense officials discuss alliance goals without OPCON details
    S. Korea, US defense officials discuss alliance goals without OPCON details SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - South Korea and the U.S. held senior-level defense talks in Washington this week to discuss the future direction of their alliance, as the two sides appear to remain divided over key issues, including the transfer of wartime operational control. South Korea’s defense ministry said Thursday that the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue, or KIDD, was held in Washington from Tuesday to Wednesday, led by Kim Hong-cheol, Seoul’s deputy minister for defense policy, John Noh, U.S. assistant secretary of war for Indo-Pacific security affairs, and James Finch, acting deputy assistant secretary for East Asia. Senior officials from the defense and foreign affairs ministries of both countries also attended. During the meeting, the two sides agreed to step up cooperation to carry out defense-related commitments from last November’s leaders’ joint fact sheet and the joint statement adopted at the 57th Security Consultative Meeting, or SCM. The joint fact sheet included cooperation on South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines, while last year’s SCM statement said the two sides would set a target year for the transfer of wartime operational control, or OPCON, by the end of this year. The latest KIDD talks are believed to have included efforts to narrow differences over pending alliance issues, including OPCON transfer. But the ministry’s announcement did not include any specific mention of discussions on the issue. Ahead of the KIDD session, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back met U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Washington on Monday. Ahn said the two sides shared the view that OPCON should be transferred at an early date, but added that “there are some areas where the U.S. side has slightly different views.” Other pending issues, including cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines and a proposal for divided management of the Demilitarized Zone, currently overseen by the U.N. Command, are also believed to have been discussed. But the ministry did not disclose details on whether or how those issues were addressed. Still, the reference to implementing the leaders’ joint fact sheet and last year’s SCM outcome suggests the two countries intend to keep seeking progress on the pending issues. Launched in 2011, the KIDD is a senior-level consultative body designed to support timely and effective security coordination between Seoul and Washington. The talks are held once or twice a year, alternately in South Korea and the U.S. This week’s meeting also served as part of preparations for this year’s SCM between the defense chiefs of the two countries, which is expected to be held later this year. 2026-05-14 11:03:40
  • Seoul mulls US-led Hormuz mission amid questions over Namu findings 
    Seoul mulls US-led Hormuz mission amid questions over Namu findings  SEOUL, May 13 (AJP) - South Korea is facing growing questions over its investigation into the recent attack on an HMM vessel Namu, as the case becomes increasingly intertwined with Washington’s call for Seoul to play a larger role in securing the Strait of Hormuz. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac on Wednesday said that Seoul is reviewing participation in the U.S.-led maritime security initiative aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. “The United States has proposed the Maritime Freedom Initiative and a plan called ‘Project Freedom,’” Wi told a press conference with the Korea News Editors' Association. “Like other forms of international cooperation, we are reviewing the maritime freedom initiative as well.” Wi added that President Lee Jae Myung had already expressed willingness to make “practical contributions” during a recent virtual conference led by Britain and France and said Seoul is actively participating in multinational military and diplomatic cooperation efforts related to the Middle East conflict. The comments came as Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, currently visiting Washington, disclosed that he had informed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that Seoul is considering phased contributions to restoring safe passage through the strategic waterway. “Basically, I said we would participate as a responsible member of the international community and review ways to contribute in stages,” Ahn told reporters at the South Korean Embassy in Washington. Ahn said possible forms of support could include diplomatic backing, personnel dispatch, intelligence sharing and the provision of military assets, while stressing that any decision would be made after considering international law and domestic legal procedures. Hegseth, during the opening remarks of his meeting with Ahn earlier this week, emphasized the importance of alliances and said Washington expects its partners to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the United States amid the escalating confrontation with Iran. At the center of the debate is the Namu, a South Korean vessel that caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4. The South Korean government initially stopped short of attributing the incident to an external attack. Early assessments found no clear signs of external impact, while HMM officials said there were no visible cracks or fractures because no seawater had leaked into the ship. The vessel’s labor union also disputed U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier claim that the ship had been independently transiting the Strait at the time, saying it had actually been anchored alongside other vessels. However, after a joint government investigation team inspected the vessel in Dubai, Seoul announced on May 10 that the fire had been caused by an external impact. The Foreign Ministry said the ship had been struck twice near the stern about one minute apart, and CCTV footage showed two unidentified flying objects approaching the vessel. Officials said they still could not determine the origin, size or type of the objects. The shift in Seoul’s assessment has raised questions among maritime and military experts. Some analysts point out that if the external damage was clear enough for government investigators to confirm through visual inspection, it remains unclear why the crew, HMM or foreign maritime security firms failed to identify such evidence immediately after the incident. British maritime security company Vanguard had earlier raised the possibility of an underwater drone or drifting mine while noting that no external penetration holes had been confirmed at the time. Experts also said the size and shape of the damaged area suggest the vessel was more likely hit by a drone or a small anti-ship missile than by a conventional cruise missile designed to sink a warship. The damaged section, reportedly measuring about 5 meters by 7 meters, appeared relatively limited compared with the destruction expected from a larger missile strike. The suspected entry hole, estimated at around 50 centimeters, has led some observers to point to the possibility of a Shahed-series suicide drone, although Seoul has so far avoided publicly identifying either the weapon or the attacker. “We do not yet have grounds to definitively conclude that it was a drone,” Wi said Wednesday, adding that missiles and other possibilities remain open pending further investigation. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun also stressed caution. “It is difficult to specify that at this point,” Cho said Wednesday. “Even within Iran, there could be several possible actors. Militias could also be involved.” Iran has denied involvement. The Iranian Embassy in Seoul said shortly after the incident that Iranian forces were not responsible, and Tehran is understood to have maintained that position even after Seoul disclosed photographs showing external impact marks on the vessel. Several experts said the unresolved questions surrounding the Namu incident could complicate Seoul’s deliberations over how far it should go in supporting U.S.-led maritime security efforts. Treating the incident as an external attack on a South Korean civilian vessel could provide Seoul with a stronger rationale for participating in operations aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz, allowing the government to frame involvement as protecting Korean ships, citizens and energy supply routes rather than simply responding to U.S. pressure. At the same time, analysts warn that any premature attribution could heighten tensions with Iran or expose South Korea to additional security risks in a waterway where Korean commercial vessels continue to operate. 2026-05-13 17:30:06
  • HD Hyundai posts record quarterly profit on broad profitability gains
    HD Hyundai posts record quarterly profit on broad profitability gains SEOUL, May 13 (AJP) - HD Hyundai posted its highest-ever quarterly operating profit, supported by broad growth across its shipbuilding, power equipment and energy businesses. The results have raised expectations that the group is on track to achieve its goal of reaching 100 trillion won ($67.2 billion) in annual sales by 2030, as its selective order strategy focused on eco-friendly vessels and growing demand for power infrastructure in North America begin to translate into stronger profitability. HD Hyundai said Wednesday in a regulatory filing that it logged 19.6 trillion won in consolidated sales and 2.83 trillion won in operating profit in the first quarter. Sales rose 14.7 percent from a year earlier, while operating profit surged 120.4 percent. It marked the group’s largest quarterly operating profit since its transition to a holding company structure in 2017. The shipbuilding division remained the biggest driver of earnings, accounting for 64 percent of the group’s total operating profit. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the group’s shipbuilding subholding company, posted 8.14 trillion won in sales and 1.36 trillion won in operating profit, with an operating margin of 16.7 percent. Sales increased 20.2 percent from a year earlier, while operating profit rose 57.8 percent, helped by a higher share of high-priced vessels such as liquefied natural gas carriers and increased delivery volumes through improved production efficiency. HD Hyundai Marine Solution also reported solid growth, backed by its core aftermarket business and higher sales from its bunkering operations. Sales rose 18.3 percent year-on-year to 574.6 billion won, while operating profit climbed 12.5 percent to 93.4 billion won. Its operating margin stood at 16.3 percent. HD Hyundai Electric, the group’s power equipment unit, continued to benefit from growing investment in power grids in North America. The company recorded 1.04 trillion won in sales and 258.3 billion won in operating profit. HD Hyundai expects growth momentum to strengthen further once expansion work at its Ulsan plant and North American production subsidiary is completed. HD Hyundai Site Solutions, the group’s construction machinery unit, posted 2.38 trillion won in sales and 207.5 billion won in operating profit, up 21.2 percent and 72.8 percent, respectively, from a year earlier. The gains were driven by a recovery in global demand and accelerated growth in its industrial engine business. In the energy sector, HD Hyundai Oilbank reported 7.72 trillion won in sales and 933.5 billion won in operating profit for the first quarter, despite an uncertain business environment marked by greater oil price volatility amid deepening geopolitical risks. Market watchers said the latest results reflect the group’s selective strategy focused on high-margin businesses under Chairman Chung Ki-sun’s leadership. Since Chung took the helm, HD Hyundai has been strengthening its future business portfolio, with those efforts now beginning to produce visible results. “Profitability improved across all business areas, driving strong earnings,” an HD Hyundai official said. “We will continue to make every effort to expand profitability through selective orders, technology development and process optimization.” 2026-05-13 16:42:14
  • Defense minister seeks US support for Koreas nuclear-powered submarine plan
    Defense minister seeks US support for Korea's nuclear-powered submarine plan SEOUL, May 13 (AJP) - Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has asked senior U.S. Navy and congressional officials to support South Korea’s push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday. Ahn, who is visiting the U.S. for the first time since taking office, met with Hung Cao, acting secretary of the U.S. Navy, in Washington on Tuesday morning to discuss key alliance issues, according to the ministry. During the meeting, Ahn stressed that South Korea is an ideal partner for shipbuilding cooperation with the U.S., citing its advanced shipbuilding capabilities and the enactment of a special law providing a legal basis for investment in the U.S. He also said South Korea’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines would contribute to shared security interests between Seoul and Washington and mark an important milestone in upgrading the bilateral alliance. Ahn asked for active support from the U.S. Navy Department, the ministry said. The two sides agreed to continue close cooperation, the ministry said. The leaders of South Korea and the U.S. agreed in a joint fact sheet last year to cooperate on South Korea’s construction of nuclear-powered submarines as part of Seoul’s broader $350 billion investment package for the U.S., but follow-up negotiations have made little progress. Ahn also met with key U.S. lawmakers on Monday and Tuesday to discuss alliance issues, including the transfer of wartime operational control, or OPCON, from Washington to Seoul. They included Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, ranking member Jack Reed and Sen. Rick Scott, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower. Ahn thanked Congress for its longstanding support for the alliance and asked for bipartisan cooperation to help develop the alliance in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial way. Ahn also visited Arlington National Cemetery on Monday and the Korean War Veterans Memorial on Tuesday to lay wreaths. 2026-05-13 10:50:55
  • Cockpit feud poses stumbling block in final-leg race toward Dec. 17 Korean Air-Asiana merger
    Cockpit feud poses stumbling block in final-leg race toward Dec. 17 Korean Air-Asiana merger SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are entering the final-leg race toward their Dec. 17 integration deadline, but a growing feud over cockpit hierarchy poses as a major stumbling block to a smooth merger. The Korean Air Pilots’ Union held a closed-door meeting in Seoul on Tuesday, bringing together about 200 members to discuss how pilot seniority should be managed after the merger, according to union officials. “This meeting was not convened to call for a strike,” a KAL pilot told AJP during a brief break in the meeting. “But the seniority issue is not only part of the buildup toward a possible strike, but also one of the most fundamental reasons behind it.” Although the two airlines have cleared major regulatory hurdles for their business combination, several structural issues remain unresolved. One of the most sensitive is the seniority system, which affects pilots’ order of promotion, pay structure and career progression. According to the Korean Air pilots’ union, it held 12 rounds of renewed talks with management over about five months from last October, but the negotiations eventually broke down. The union argues that Korean Air’s existing seniority system should be maintained after the integration. Management, however, is understood to support establishing a new standard for the combined airline. The main point of contention is the criteria for promotion from first officer to captain. Korean Air first officers must meet requirements under the company’s Flight Operations Administration Manual, or FOAM, before becoming eligible for captain upgrade screening. These include five years after appointment as a first officer, 2,500 to 3,000 flight hours after joining the company and at least 350 landings. Korean Air also requires at least 1,000 flight hours at the hiring stage for first officers, while its probationary and training periods are known to be relatively longer. By contrast, Asiana Airlines is said to require around 300 flight hours for first officer recruitment and to have a shorter probationary period. The Korean Air pilots’ union argues that because the two carriers have operated under different recruitment, training and promotion standards, simply merging seniority based on entry dates or military discharge dates could push back the promotion order of existing Korean Air first officers. Asiana pilots, however, have disputed the union’s claims, saying the concerns are overstated. They argue that among some 800 Asiana first officers, only three to four have yet to meet requirements such as the required number of landings, and that those pilots are already undergoing the necessary procedures before promotion. Asiana pilots say the seniority issue should not be treated merely as a post-merger personnel placement matter, but as a question of how to fairly recognize the career histories and flight experience of pilots from both airlines. The Korean Air pilots’ union passed a strike vote at its regular general meeting last month, with 57.6 percent of all members voting in favor of industrial action. Since then, the union has been discussing possible response scenarios, including a strike. However, a full-scale strike remains difficult under the current essential services agreement, as the aviation industry is classified as an essential public service. Even during a strike, airlines are required to maintain a certain level of operations. The key issue is how the number of essential workers is calculated. Pilots do not work on a fixed daily schedule, but rotate between flights, rest periods, standby duty, training and other assignments. Under the current method, if the required workforce is calculated based on the airline’s entire monthly flight schedule, the figure may include not only pilots actively operating flights but also those on legally required rest, standby duty or post-long-haul rest. The union argues that this significantly reduces the number of pilots who can take part in industrial action, weakening the practical impact of a strike. If the essential workforce is instead calculated based on actual daily flight operations, the number of pilots required to maintain minimum operations would be lower, allowing more pilots to join a strike and increasing the union’s leverage. With Korean Air and Asiana Airlines seeking to complete their integration as early as the end of this year, tensions between the unions and management are expected to intensify. The Korean Air pilots’ union is expected to seek the right to take industrial action through a labor relations commission mediation process. Before that, however, it appears to be pushing for revisions to the essential services agreement as part of efforts to make any potential strike more effective. 2026-05-12 17:12:39
  • Hanwha highlights unmanned, AI defense systems in Romania
    Hanwha highlights unmanned, AI defense systems in Romania SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - Hanwha Group will showcase next-generation unmanned and artificial intelligence-based military systems at a defense exhibition in Romania this week, as it seeks to deepen partnerships in Europe and expand its presence across EU and NATO markets. Hanwha said Tuesday that its key defense affiliates will participate in the Black Sea Defense & Aerospace, or BSDA 2026, which will take place from Wednesday to Friday at ROMAERO in Bucharest. The biennial event is one of the largest defense exhibitions in the Balkans. Under the theme “Built with Romania, Ready for NATO,” Hanwha Aerospace will present its unmanned ground vehicle portfolio, including the GRUNT wheeled platform and the THeMIS-K tracked system, along with land and air defense solutions. GRUNT is an upgraded version of Hanwha Aerospace’s Arion-SMET 6x6 wheeled unmanned ground vehicle. It can carry more than 900 kilograms and travel about 290 kilometers, supporting missions such as logistics transport, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance and combat support. THeMIS-K is a tracked unmanned ground vehicle based on a platform developed by Estonia’s Milrem Robotics. It can carry up to 1,200 kilograms and be equipped with weapons, surveillance equipment or logistics modules. Hanwha said it is working with Milrem Robotics to develop localized UGV models tailored to Korean and Romanian military needs, including systems that combine wheeled and tracked platforms for manned-unmanned teaming operations. Hanwha Systems will showcase AI-based satellite analytics, along with its Smart Battleship concept and next-generation mine countermeasure solutions for the Black Sea region. The two companies will also present a broader lineup of defense systems, including the K9A1 self-propelled howitzer, Redback infantry fighting vehicle, TIGON wheeled armored vehicle and Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system. Hanwha Aerospace said the exhibition comes as European armed forces are increasingly prioritizing unmanned systems as force multipliers amid rising security concerns and rearmament efforts across the region. “As Europe accelerates rearmament and adapts to evolving security challenges, Hanwha Aerospace aims to support this transformation through localized production, integrated systems, and future-ready technologies — enhancing interoperability and supply chain resilience across the EU and NATO,” said Lino Lim, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace Romania. Hanwha Aerospace has been expanding its defense partnerships in Europe, including in Romania, Poland, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Spain. 2026-05-12 12:03:17
  • Korea joins UK-France-led Hormuz defense talks, Sinokor vessel slips through Hormuz
    Korea joins UK-France-led Hormuz defense talks, Sinokor vessel slips through Hormuz SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - South Korea will take part in a defense ministerial video conference led by Britain and France on Tuesday to discuss efforts to restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as Seoul faces growing pressure to clarify its role in a possible multinational maritime mission. The Ministry of National Defense said Woo Kyung-seok, director general for defense policy planning and an Army major general, will attend the meeting on discussions related to a U.K.- and France-led multinational military mission. Woo is expected to attend on behalf of Kim Hong-cheol, deputy minister for national defense policy, who is currently in the U.S. accompanying Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back. “The government has been actively participating in international discussions aimed at ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while closely monitoring the situation and communicating with related countries,” a ministry official said. Britain and France have been leading talks on forming a multinational force to restore navigation through the key waterway after a possible end to the Iran war. The talks began with a French-hosted video conference among chiefs of defense in March and have continued at various levels, including leaders and senior officials. South Korea has also taken part in the discussions. Tuesday’s meeting marks the first defense ministerial-level session of the grouping, raising speculation that the U.K. and France may be seeking to move the discussions toward a more concrete policy decision as their operational plan takes shape. Seoul’s participation comes as attention grows over how it will respond after the fire aboard the Korean vessel Namu was confirmed to have been caused by an external attack. The government has yet to identify who was behind the incident. The defense ministry repeated its previous position, saying it will “carefully review realistic ways to contribute” in consultation with related ministries, while comprehensively considering international law, the safety of international sea lanes. Meanwhile, a very large crude carrier owned and operated by South Korean shipping company Sinokor Merchant Marine reportedly passed safely through the Iran-blockaded Strait of Hormuz earlier this month after turning off its location-tracking device. Reuters reported Monday, citing shipping data from Kpler and the London Stock Exchange Group, that three tankers were recently found to have exited the Strait of Hormuz with their tracking systems switched off. Among them was the VLCC Basrah Energy, owned by Sinokor. The vessel loaded 2 million barrels of crude oil at the Zirku crude export terminal operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the United Arab Emirates on May 1 and passed through the Strait of Hormuz on May 6, according to the report. It remains unclear which company chartered the vessel. Reuters said it had requested comment from Sinokor but did not receive a response. Sinokor has expanded its presence in the tanker market in recent years through aggressive purchases and chartering of vessels. The company is estimated to control around 150 VLCCs as of the end of last month. Industry sources said Sinokor had deployed at least six empty tankers to the Persian Gulf from late January over a four-week period. Some market watchers believe the company may have profited significantly by using its tankers as floating storage for crude from Gulf producers whose export routes were disrupted by the Iran war, even as some of its vessels became stranded in the region. 2026-05-12 11:02:01
  • Seoul mulling deploying Hyundai Motor robots for border patrol 
    Seoul mulling deploying Hyundai Motor robots for border patrol  SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - South Korea’s military is quietly studying whether robotic dogs and wearables built by Hyundai Motor Group could one day complement human patrols along the tense front lines dividing the Korean Peninsula, as demographic collapse begins to hollow out the ranks of one of the world’s largest conscript armies. The discussions, still at an early stage, underscore how a shrinking birthrate is forcing Seoul’s military planners to confront a strategic dilemma once considered unthinkable: how to defend one of the world’s most heavily armed borders with fewer and fewer soldiers. “The Army is seeking cooperation with the government, industry and academia to become a more technology-driven force,” an Army official told AJP. “We are also exploring possible cooperation with Hyundai Motor.” Behind the bureaucratic language lies a more urgent reality. South Korea’s standing military force has fallen from 563,000 troops in 2019 to roughly 450,000 this year, according to Defense Ministry data, with Army enlistment numbers dropping by nearly 100,000 over the same period. “The decrease in military manpower is unavoidable,” the Army official said. “In line with that, we are also looking at ways to improve the efficiency of our forces.” Military and industry officials say working-level talks have already taken place between Army Headquarters and Hyundai Motor Group over possible deployment concepts involving robotics systems ranging from the MobED unmanned mobility platform to the X-ble Shoulder wearable robot and Spot, the four-legged robot developed by Boston Dynamics, the U.S. robotics company controlled by Hyundai. For South Korea’s military, the interest is less about futuristic combat fantasies than basic arithmetic. The Defense Ministry says the armed forces are already about 50,000 troops short of their target manpower level of 500,000. The military has loosened physical standards for conscription to compensate, but the pool of eligible young men continues to contract as the country’s fertility rate remains among the lowest in the world. The strain is already reshaping the structure of the force itself. Since 2006, the number of divisions and higher-level units has shrunk from 59 to 42 through mergers and disbandments. What Seoul is confronting is part of a broader military trend emerging across aging societies. From Washington to Beijing, armed forces are increasingly experimenting with unmanned systems to compensate for shrinking manpower and rising battlefield risks. The U.S. military has tested semi-autonomous robot dogs for perimeter security at facilities including Cape Cod Space Force Station, viewing them as force multipliers capable of conducting repetitive patrols in dangerous areas without exhausting human troops. China, meanwhile, has moved more aggressively, publicly showcasing rifle-equipped robot dogs during exercises including the Golden Dragon 2024 drills with Cambodia, hinting at future battlefield roles alongside infantry units. South Korea’s military appears far more cautious. Officials and defense experts say current discussions center primarily on non-lethal missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics transport and patrol support rather than armed combat roles. Still, the symbolism is difficult to ignore in a country where military service has long rested on mass mobilization and manpower. The war in Ukraine has further accelerated military interest in unmanned systems, demonstrating how wheeled robotic platforms can transport ammunition, food and medical supplies while evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. For Hyundai Motor Group, any eventual military deployment could also become a pivotal test case for its broader robotics ambitions after the conglomerate deepened its push into physical AI and robotics through its acquisition of Boston Dynamics in 2021. The company, however, stopped short of confirming any formal defense partnership. “We are reviewing ways to cooperate with various parties in robotics,” Hyundai Motor Group said, “but no cooperation with a specific partner has been decided beyond what has already been publicly disclosed.” 2026-05-11 17:33:32
  • Eastar Jet joins IATA as full member to strengthen global competitiveness
    Eastar Jet joins IATA as full member to strengthen global competitiveness SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Eastar Jet has joined the International Air Transport Association as a full member, the airline said Monday, in a move aimed at strengthening its global competitiveness and safety standards. IATA is the world’s largest airline industry association, with 374 member airlines from 129 countries. It plays a central role in the global aviation industry by setting and managing international standards and regulations for air transport, as well as assigning airline designator codes such as Eastar Jet’s “ZE.” Eastar Jet obtained the IATA Operational Safety Audit certification on Dec. 30 last year, a mandatory requirement for full IATA membership. The airline was officially approved as a full member on May 4. Eastar Jet held a ceremony at its headquarters in western Seoul on Friday to mark its IATA membership, with CEO Cho Joong-seok and IATA officials in attendance. Eastar Jet said the membership will help the airline strengthen cooperation with global carriers and further enhance its safety management system in line with international standards. “Joining IATA as a full member is meaningful because it shows that our safety and operational systems have been officially recognized at the international level,” Cho said. “Based on our safety capabilities that meet global standards, we will continue to grow into an airline trusted by our customers.” The airline also received a perfect score of 100 in the safety category of the 2025 Air Transportation Service Evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Transport Institute. Eastar Jet has also been expanding its international network. On May 1, the airline launched its Busan-Almaty route, becoming the first and only carrier to operate the service. The route operates twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, and the inaugural flight from Busan recorded a load factor of 99 percent, according to the company. 2026-05-11 17:08:09
  • Hanwha Aerospace to supply additional Chunmoo launchers to Estonia
    Hanwha Aerospace to supply additional Chunmoo launchers to Estonia SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace will supply three additional Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers to Estonia, the company said Monday, marking a follow-up deal just five months after its first contract with the Baltic nation. The latest purchase reflects the growing defense partnership between South Korea and Estonia, which began with Estonia’s acquisition of K9 self-propelled howitzers and has since expanded to include precision-guided multiple rocket launchers. Hanwha Aerospace said the additional supply was confirmed after the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) signed a government-to-government export contract earlier in the day. The deal follows a contract signed in December last year, worth about 290 million euros, or around $336 million based on the exchange rate at the time. The initial agreement included six Chunmoo launchers, three types of missiles — the CGR-080, CTM-MR and CTM-290 — as well as operational and training support. Estonia is currently moving quickly to acquire and modernize a multiple rocket launcher capability under its National Defence Development Plan 2031, known as RKAK 2031. The follow-up contract is seen as a result of Hanwha’s ability to meet Estonia’s delivery requirements and the trust built between the two sides during the implementation of the first contract. “The additional purchase of three Chunmoo launchers is highly significant for strengthening Estonia’s defense capabilities,” Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said. “It also shows that our cooperation with Hanwha continues to deepen.” “We are pleased to further contribute to strengthening Estonia’s national defense and defense industry ecosystem through this additional supply,” Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il said. “We will continue to introduce Hanwha’s defense solutions across the Baltic region and strengthen our position as Estonia’s trusted strategic partner.” 2026-05-11 16:44:04