Journalist

Jun sung-min
  • North Korean leader highlights traditional friendship with China in letter to Xi
    North Korean leader highlights 'traditional friendship' with China in letter to Xi SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed his expectations for further cooperation with his country's traditional alley in a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, state media reported on Tuesday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim sent the letter to Xi the previous day, expressing his belief that cooperation between the two countries "will become even closer in the future." He was also quoted as saying that strengthening the "traditional friendship" between North Korea and China would help meet the "new demands of the times." The letter was a reply to Xi, who sent a congratulatory message late last month when Kim Jong-un was re-elected general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party at the country's rare party gathering. Kim also thanked Xi for his message, saying it provided "support and encouragement" for himself and party members. 2026-03-10 10:18:42
  • South Korea, US kick off annual joint exercise
    South Korea, US kick off annual joint exercise SEOUL, March 9 (AJP) - South Korean and U.S. troops began their annual joint military exercise on Monday to strengthen their combined defense posture. The exercise, dubbed Freedom Shield (FS), runs until March 19 under a scenario simulating a full-scale war to prepare for contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. The exercise, involving about 18,000 troops, similar to the levels seen last year, also aims to assess combat readiness to prepare for the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul. But field drills will be reduced to 16 from 33 last year. Pundits say the scaled-down drills may reflect the South's efforts to avoid provoking North Korea and help create an atmosphere for talks ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's planned visit to China later this month, though the talks now appear unlikely after U.S.-led airstrikes on Iran earlier this month. But others speculate that the drills are being scaled back amid the possible deployment of U.S. military assets to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, North Korea, which has condemned the drills as rehearsals for an invasion, is expected to pretest again. 2026-03-09 14:04:57
  • South Korea secures 6 million barrels of crude oil from UAE to curb soaring fuel prices
    South Korea secures 6 million barrels of crude oil from UAE to curb soaring fuel prices SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - South Korea has secured over 6 million barrels of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Cheong Wa Dae said on Friday. "We have consulted with the UAE to secure crude oil, and the good news is that we were able to secure more than 6 million barrels," presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said during a press briefing on Friday, adding that it will help stabilize oil prices. Fuel prices in South Korea have been rapidly rising amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East shortly after U.S.-led airstrikes on Iran last week, sparking fears of an energy crisis and prompting the government to vow a crackdown on price collusion and other unfair practices. Kang also said that an additional passenger flight carrying South Korean nationals and other travelers stranded in Dubai is set to arrive at Incheon International Airport later in the day, following discussions with the UAE to ensure their safe return. He pledged to continue talks with the UAE to dispatch a chartered flight to bring back those unable to return due to the closure of airports in Dubai. 2026-03-06 16:13:03
  • Speculation grows as US military assets gather at Osan Air Base
    Speculation grows as US military assets gather at Osan Air Base SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - Patriot missile batteries and heavy transport aircraft have been quietly amassing at a U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, in what appears to be a consolidation of U.S. air defense assets. According to multiple government sources, Patriot missiles and large U.S. military transport aircraft including C-5s and C-17s have recently been spotted at U.S. Forces Korea (USFK)'s Osan Air Base. Some of the Patriot missiles were reportedly transferred from other U.S. bases. C-17s regularly fly into Osan to transport U.S. equipment and troops, but the presence of the larger C-5 was seen as unusual, the sources said. With concerns growing that the Middle East conflict could become prolonged following U.S.-led airstrikes on Iran last week, the recent movements have fueled speculation that USFK may prepare to deploy some of its military assets overseas in case of contingencies in the region. The Patriot is capable of intercepting incoming missiles at low to medium altitudes, roughly 20 to 40 kilometers above the surface. Together with a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, it forms a core part of USFK's missile defense. Two Patriot batteries were previously deployed to the Middle East during the U.S.' surprise strike on Iranian nuclear facilities last June, under a military operation dubbed "Midnight Hammer," and returned several months later. But some suggest that the recent movements of U.S. military assets may be in preparation for the annual joint exercise between South Korea and the U.S., set to begin next week, rather than a sign of an imminent deployment to the Middle East. For now, both remain uncertain. "It is not appropriate to comment on USFK's operations," said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Defense during a regular press briefing on Friday. He added that USFK's mission is to maintain a strong combined defense posture with South Korea's military to support peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and that the allies will continue to coordinate closely. 2026-03-06 15:38:48
  • South Korea asks UAE to help bring home travelers stranded in Middle East
    South Korea asks UAE to help bring home travelers stranded in Middle East SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - South Korea asked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to help support the return of South Korean nationals stranded in Middle Eastern countries, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday. In a phone conversation with UAE's Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan the previous day, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun requested special attention and support from the UAE government including assistance for those unable to return due to the closure of airports in Dubai shortly after last week's U.S.-led airstrikes on Iran under "Operation Epic Fury." Cho also asked him to ensure smooth takeoffs and landings for charter flights so that South Koreans can return home quickly and safely. According to the ministry, more than 3,000 South Koreans, mostly short-term travelers, are currently looking ways to return home amid flight disruptions in the UAE. Abdullah said the Iranian attacks have caused major damage to airports and other civilian facilities in the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Cho offered his deep condolences and expressed grave concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East, hoping that the situation will be resolved as soon as possible. 2026-03-06 09:28:47
  • About 140 South Koreans in Iran and Israel evacuated to neighboring countries
    About 140 South Koreans in Iran and Israel evacuated to neighboring countries SEOUL, March 4 (AJP) - About 140 South Koreans who had been staying in Iran and Israel have been evacuated to neighboring Turkmenistan and Egypt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said on Wednesday. In Iran, about two dozen South Koreans split into two buses arranged by the South Korean Embassy there and left Tehran on Monday and safely arrived in neighboring Turkmenistan the following day amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region following last Saturday's U.S.-led airstrikes on the Middle Eastern country. The evacuees included not only residents but also about 10 embassy staff members and their families, as well as some Iranian nationals who are family members of South Koreans or ethnic Koreans. Also leaving Iran were Lee Do‑hee, head coach of Iran's women's national volleyball team, and Lee Ki‑je, a defender for Iranian professional soccer club Mes Rafsanjan FC. According to the ministry, about 40 South Korean residents still remain in Iran. A ministry official said withdrawing the embassy is "not currently being considered," adding that the government will continue to take responsibility for evacuations while monitoring whether the situation becomes prolonged. In Israel, where about 600 South Korean nationals including around100 short-term visitors are currently staying, some 113 people left Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Tuesday and arrived in Egypt later that day. Separately, two South Koreans in Bahrain and two in Iraq also evacuated to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, respectively. Meanwhile, Kim Young-bae, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), on Tuesday urged the government to draw up plans to safely evacuate South Korean residents and travelers in the Middle East to neighboring countries in case the situation worsens. "As many as 21,000 South Koreans are currently residing in some 13 countries in the Middle East. Among them, about 4,000 short-term visitors including travelers are in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates," he said. 2026-03-04 09:31:00
  • South Korea holds live-fire drill on border islands
    South Korea holds live-fire drill on border islands SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - This year's first maritime live-fire drill was conducted in waters off the West Sea, the Marine Corps said on Thursday. The drill, which involved K9 self-propelled howitzers, took place on the northernmost islands of Baeknyeong and Yeonpyeong near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border between the two Koreas. Calling it a "routine, annual and defensive" drill, the Marine Corps said about 190 rounds were fired. The maritime drill, typically held three to four times a year, was halted under the 2018 inter-Korean military pact as part of efforts to ease military tensions between the two Koreas. But it resumed in June 2024 in response to a series of North Korean provocations including its bizarre campaign of sending trash-filled balloons toward the South. Four such drills were held last year. 2026-02-26 16:09:53
  • South Korea, US to stage annual joint drill with scaled-down field training
    South Korea, US to stage annual joint drill with scaled-down field training SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - South Korean and U.S. troops will stage their annual joint military exercise next month to strengthen their combined defense posture, the Joint Chiefs of Staff here said on Wednesday. The exercise, dubbed Freedom Shield (FS), is scheduled to be held from March 9 to 19 under a scenario simulating a full-scale war to prepare for contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. The exercise aims to strengthen combined combat readiness while preparing for the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul. "About 18,000 troops will take part in this year's exercise, similar to the levels seen last year," a JCS official said. But some field drills are likely to be scaled down, as the two allies are still in talks over their scope and size, amid Seoul's apparent efforts to avoid provoking North Korea under President Lee Jae myung's conciliatory stance toward Pyongyang as well as growing expectations for the resumption of talks between the U.S and North Korea, which could coincide with U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China in late March. North Korea, which has condemned the drills as rehearsals for an invasion, is expected to pretest again. 2026-02-25 17:48:47
  • USFK chief expresses regret over drill not shared with Seoul
    USFK chief expresses regret over drill 'not shared' with Seoul SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), has expressed "regret" that South Korean defense officials were not briefed on last week's U.S. air drill over the West Sea. In a statement issued late Tuesday, Brunson said he regretted that South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were "not briefed in time," clarifying that he had discussed the drill with Ahn by phone. USFK conducted a large-scale air drill last Wednesday with about a dozen F-16 fighter jets flying over South Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ), prompting China to scramble its own jets, which led to a brief aerial standoff. Raising concerns about the incident, Ahn reportedly complained to Brunson the following day that details of the drill had not been properly shared in advance, saying that it had heightened military tensions on the Korean Peninsula. But U.S. Forces Korea said it regularly conducts drills to "maintain the highest level of readiness," adding "We do not apologize for maintaining readiness." 2026-02-25 09:15:06
  • Satellite images suggest North Korea gearing up for massive military parade
    Satellite images suggest North Korea gearing up for massive military parade SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - With North Korea's key party congress underway this week, satellite images suggest the country has been preparing for a large-scale military parade, with over 12,000 people believed to have been mobilized. According to Yoo Yong-won of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), satellite images taken between Feb. 9 and 17 by Vantor, formerly Maxar Intelligence, showed around 12,000 troops gathered at Mirim Airport near Pyongyang for the parade's rehearsals. The images also show multiple formations marching in step, including columns of about 300 troops each, though no clear signs of heavy equipment were spotted near the airfield's main hangars. Yoo said the parade is expected to involve more troops and equipment than previous ones, as the country may invite foreign officials and dignitaries including those from Russia, in a show of its closer military ties with Moscow. At its previous eighth party congress in January 2021, North Korea mobilized about 15,000 troops and 172 pieces of military equipment for a parade featuring mass calisthenics performances. This year's parade is expected to be similar in scale to the one held in October last year to mark the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party's founding, when around 16,000 troops and some 60 pieces of equipment were showcased. 2026-02-20 15:38:29