Journalist

Jun Sung-min
  • Boeing picked as preferred bidder for South Koreas special-ops helicopters deal
    Boeing picked as preferred bidder for South Korea's special-ops helicopters deal SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Boeing has been selected as the preferred bidder for a South Korean defense procurement program valued at approximately 3.4 trillion won ($2.3 billion), the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on Friday. According to DAPA, Boeing was the sole bidder to submit a proposal in November last year, after two previous bidding rounds in June and October failed to produce a contract. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, had been expected to compete with its heavy-transport helicopter, the CH-53K King Stallion, but failed to do so. Boeing proposed the CH-47F/ER, an upgraded version of the CH-47F Chinook, at a cost of $57 million per unit. The program aims to procure approximately 20 heavy-lift helicopters for special operations including air infiltration search-and-rescue missions, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2033. DAPA said it plans to finalize a contract with Boeing by June, pending technical evaluations and tests. 2026-02-20 14:14:29
  • US, Chinese fighter jets in brief aerial standoff over West Sea
    US, Chinese fighter jets in brief aerial standoff over West Sea SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - A brief aerial standoff between U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) aircraft and Chinese fighter jets occurred over the West Sea earlier this week, multiple military sources said on Friday. The faceoff arose when China scrambled its own fighter jets in response to a large-scale air drill conducted by the USFK. According to the sources, about a dozen F-16 fighter jets took off from Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province last Wednesday and reportedly flew over South Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ), prompting China to dispatch its own. Though the encounter briefly raised tensions, neither side was reported to have entered the other's airspace. The air defense identification zone does not constitute territorial airspace but is established in order to identify air traffic. It is common protocol for aircraft to obtain prior permission before entering another country's air defense identification zone. USFK reportedly notified South Korea's military authorities ahead of the drill but did not elaborate on its specific objectives. Some observers said it is unusual for USFK to conduct such a large-scale exercise near China's airspace. 2026-02-20 11:07:51
  • North Korea kicks off key party congress
    North Korea kicks off key party congress SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - North Korea has kicked off its massive party gathering, state media reported on Friday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, the ninth congress of the Workers' Party "opened with splendour" in Pyongyang the previous day. In his opening address, its leader Kim Jong-un said he is "full of optimism and confidence about the future," comparing this year's gathering with the previous one five years ago, which convened "with the faith, will and resolution to tide over the worst situation facing the revolution by our own efforts and open a new era of progress and development without fail." North Korea "has also irreversibly solidified the country's status externally, bringing about a massive change in the global political order and relations affecting our country," Kim was quoted as saying, apparently referring to the country's pursuit of status as a nuclear-armed state. But Kim devoted most of his speech to highlighting economic issues and outlining tasks to improve "the people's living standards" through mid- and long-term plans aimed at achieving a "rural revolution." The rare gathering, which typically runs several days, brought together about 5,000 party members and other representatives from across the country this year, who will review the past five years and set the direction for domestic and foreign policy over the next five years. 2026-02-20 09:38:22
  • Tens of thousands of liters of jet fuel spill at US bases in Gunsan, Osan
    Tens of thousands of liters of jet fuel spill at US bases in Gunsan, Osan SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - More than 40,000 liters of fighter jet fuel spilled at a U.S. Air Force base in the southwestern city of Gunsan last month, while a similar spill occurred at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province earlier this month, U.S. Forces Korea said on Thursday. According to U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), the U.S. Air Force's 8th Fighter Wing detected a leak of about 41,600 liters of jet fuel from a fuel tank in an accident on Jan. 26 at Gunsan. There was reportedly no risk to the health or safety of nearby residents and communities, as the spill was cleaned up immediately. About 10 days later, a separate fuel spill was reported at Osan Air Base, home to the U.S. Air Force's 51st Fighter Wing. The spill occurred on Feb. 5 inside the base, and cleanup work is still ongoing, with about 870 liters recovered as of last week. Under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), U.S. military bases in South Korea are provided by the South Korean government, which retains ownership of the land and facilities while granting the U.S. military the right to use them. 2026-02-19 15:26:02
  • South Korea mulls restoring no-fly zone along border
    South Korea mulls restoring no-fly zone along border SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - South Korea is considering redesignating a no-fly zone along border areas while ensuring it does not affect military readiness, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday. In a regular media briefing, ministry spokesperson Jeong Bit-na said the ministry is consulting with relevant government agencies and the U.S. side to partially restore the inter-Korean military pact, which was signed in September 2018 to ease military tensions between the two Koreas but was scrapped in 2024 under the previous administration's hardline stance toward the North. The development comes after Unification Minister Chung Dong-young recently expressed regret over drones allegedly sent by civilians from South Korea to the North, while pledging to prevent a recurrence. Restoring such a zone would bar drones from flying within 15 kilometers of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the eastern area and within 10 kilometers in the western area. When asked what types of aircraft or drones would be restricted, Jeong said military drones used for training would be exempt, but other unmanned aerial vehicles would be subject to the ban. But Some already raise concerns that restoring it solely on the South's side could weaken surveillance against the North. 2026-02-19 14:58:23
  • FM meets USFK commander at Camp Humphreys
    FM meets USFK commander at Camp Humphreys SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun visited Camp Humphreys, a U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province on Friday. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cho met with Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) earlier in the day. The visit was arranged after Brunson invited Cho during a luncheon last month that also included Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Defense Department's undersecretary of defense for policy, who was visiting South Korea at the time. Pundits speculate the two sides likely discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, covering various pending issues including possible changes in the role of USFK for the modernization of the bilateral alliance. 2026-02-13 14:46:03
  • South Korea vows swift action to prevent drone incursions into North Korea
    South Korea vows swift action to prevent drone incursions into North Korea SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - South Korea on Friday vowed to take "immediate action" to prevent a recurrence of drone incursions into North Korea. "We will immediately implement measures to prevent similar cases from happening again," Unification Ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho said in a regular press briefing. The remarks came several hours later in response to a request earlier in the day by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The ministry seems to interpret Kim's statement as a positive sign, as Yoon highlighted the North's emphasis on joint efforts to reduce tensions and prevent accidental incidents on the Korean Peninsula. Stressing that the government has consistently pursued peaceful coexistence between the two Koreas, Yoon said Seoul has repeatedly affirmed three principles under the current Lee Jae Myung administration: recognizing and respecting each other's system, refraining from any hostile acts, and not seeking reunification by absorption. The spokesperson added that the government is thoroughly investigating a recent drone incident to determine what happened, calling it a serious matter that contradicts those principles. 2026-02-13 14:09:05
  • South Korea to participate in annual multinational military exercise in Thailand
    South Korea to participate in annual multinational military exercise in Thailand SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - South Korea will take part in a multinational combined exercise set to be held in Thailand next week, according to military authorities. About 390 South Korean Navy personnel and marines are set to depart the southern port city of Busan on Thursday to participate in "Cobra Gold," the largest multinational combined exercise held annually in Thailand since 1982 and hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Scheduled for Feb. 23 to March 6, this year's exercise is expected to be one of the largest, featuring amphibious landings and other drills with military personnel from about 10 countries including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. South Korea will showcase its defense capabilities with home-grown amphibious assault vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, and other equipment. Among the highlights is Cheonho, a 30-mm wheeled anti-aircraft gun developed by Hanwha Aerospace, which will join live-fire training overseas for the first time. Col. Hwang Sang-geun, who leads the South Korean delegation, said, "Cobra Gold would provide an opportunity for the South Korean Navy and Marine Corps to strengthen combined military readiness and improve operational capabilities." 2026-02-12 11:04:10
  • Black Eagles paint Riyadh sky with dazzling aerobatics in debut performance
    Black Eagles paint Riyadh sky with dazzling aerobatics in debut performance SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - South Korea's aerobatics team wowed spectators with impressive maneuvers at an air show in Saudi Arabia on Monday. It was the Black Eagles' first appearance at the show, which was part of the International Defense Industry Exhibition in the Middle Eastern country. After the Saudi Falcons’ performance, the Black Eagles took off with eight aircraft, forming star- and diamond-shaped patterns before moving into their other signature maneuvers, leaving colored smoke trails across Riyadh's sky. To the beat of traditional folk tune "Arirang" and "Golden" from Netflix's hit animated film "Kpop Demon Hunters," the team performed a series of routines including 360-degree turns. The highlight was its "Mugunghwa" maneuver, inspired by the country's national flower, the rose of Sharon, which symbolizes the country's perseverance and resilience. For the 30-minute show, spectators including South Korean expatriates packed areas around the runway to watch the dramatic maneuvers, cheering loudly and waving flags. In one breathtaking sequence, four aircraft approached at high speed in pairs from opposite directions, then narrowly crossed paths mid-air. Despite Riyadh's dry, high-altitude environment that reduces engine thrust and acceleration, the Black Eagles climbed to 8,000 feet (about 2,438 meters) and maintained top speed. Yoon Jong-geun, a South Korean expat in Saudi Arabia, said the team showed "another level of skill," compared with those he had watched earlier. "Just watching the Black Eagles fly over Saudi skies is a thrilling moment," he added. 2026-02-10 10:35:43
  • Military helicopter crashes in Gapyeong, killing two crew members
    Military helicopter crashes in Gapyeong, killing two crew members SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - A military helicopter crashed in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province on Monday, killing two crew members, according to military authorities. The South Korean Army said the AH-1S Cobra went down at about 11:04 a.m. during training, which involved practicing emergency landings in conditions similar to an abnormal situation without shutting down the engine. The exact reasons for the crash were not immediately known. Two officers on board were rushed to a hospital immediately after the crash but were pronounced dead. The Army said it has grounded all AH-1S Cobras and is conducting an investigation to determine the cause. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Baek, who is visiting Saudi Arabia, instructed the Army to ensure "swift and thorough recovery and follow-up measures," the ministry said. 2026-02-09 13:49:41