Journalist
Kim Hee-su, Han Jun-gu
khs@ajunews.com
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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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 -
Hyundai Rotem partners with Korea Aerospace University to strengthen space business SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Hyundai Rotem has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Aerospace University to cooperate in the space industry, the company said Monday. The agreement, signed on Friday, is aimed at building an industry-academia cooperation platform in the space sector through joint research, networking and talent development. Under the MOU, the two sides will work together on joint research and commercialization of next-generation space technologies, establish a virtuous cycle of technology and academic information sharing, and foster future space professionals through field-based training programs. As part of efforts to strengthen joint research and commercialization capabilities, Hyundai Rotem and Korea Aerospace University will cooperate in planning and carrying out national research and development projects, while the university’s expert groups will support technical verification of Hyundai Rotem’s projects. The two sides also plan to jointly utilize research infrastructure. “We expect this partnership with Korea Aerospace University’s expert groups and research infrastructure to help strengthen our space technology capabilities,” a Hyundai Rotem official said. “We will put strong momentum behind our space business and build a virtuous cycle of shared growth with partners contributing to the development of Korea’s space industry.” 2026-05-11 11:35:07 -
S. Korea expands drone security push with Army pact, coastal test site SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - South Korea is expanding efforts to strengthen its drone security capabilities, as the National Intelligence Service signed a cooperation agreement with the Army and the government opened the country’s first integrated test site for land, sea and aerial unmanned systems. The moves reflect Seoul’s push to turn lessons from overseas battlefields into practical drone operations at home, as unmanned systems play a growing role in both military and public security missions. The NIS said Friday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Army at Gyeryongdae, the military headquarters in South Chungcheong Province. Under the agreement, the two sides will share domestic and overseas drone security information, improve regulations on advanced drone use, verify drone and counter-drone systems and conduct joint drills against threats to national security facilities. The spy agency said it will also share information and analysis on drones used in overseas conflicts to support the Army’s efforts to strengthen its drone capabilities and upgrade tactics. The NIS signed a similar agreement with the Navy in October last year. “Information on drones used in overseas battlefields is an important asset for improving our military’s operational capabilities,” the NIS said. “Through close cooperation with the Army, we will support responses to drone threats and help establish a national drone security system.” In a related move, the Ministry of Science and ICT opened a coastal test site for unmanned vehicles in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province. The facility, located at the Dangjin Drone Industry Support Center, is the country’s first test site where land, sea and aerial unmanned systems can be operated together for cooperative missions. The ministry said the site will support demonstrations of integrated control technologies for coastal security missions, including monitoring illegal entry, detecting pollution sources and responding to maritime accidents. The project will be carried out in cooperation with the Korea AeroSpace Administration and the Korea Coast Guard. 2026-05-08 16:45:07 -
South Korea pushes for drone autonomy through standardization SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - South Korea is moving to standardize its drone industry around K-MOSA as the government seeks to shorten development cycles, lower production costs and build a scalable domestic manufacturing ecosystem for unmanned systems. The initiative comes as drones rapidly redefine modern warfare from Ukraine to the Middle East, exposing how military competitiveness increasingly depends not only on advanced unmanned systems but also on resilient supply chains and the capacity for fast, low-cost mass production. “Drones have already changed the battlefield, but South Korea still has a long way to go,” said Chun In-bum, a retired South Korean Army lieutenant general. The Office for Government Policy Coordination said Thursday that it had finalized key policy tasks during the third meeting of the government’s drone and counter-drone task force. Officials said they had completed scenario analyses on evolving security threats, including hybrid drones, and agreed to coordinate inter-ministerial response systems under a broader national defense framework. At the center of the strategy is a standardized marketplace built on K-MOSA, short for Korea’s modular open systems approach for defense unmanned systems. The framework is designed to move the industry away from fragmented proprietary specifications by allowing certified drone parts and modules to operate interchangeably across platforms. Under the envisioned system, authorized buyers would be able to compare, select and procure interoperable components through a digital platform, reducing dependence on single vendors while making drone systems easier to upgrade as battlefield requirements evolve. The government said the framework is intended to shorten development timelines and enable low-cost mass production. The push also reflects a broader industrial vulnerability. Although South Korea’s drone exports have expanded rapidly, the domestic ecosystem remains heavily exposed to cheaper Chinese products and components. According to a report by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) released last November, South Korea’s drone exports reached $27.54 million in 2024, nearly 10 times higher than three years earlier. Yet the country still accounted for less than 0.5 percent of global drone exports, underscoring the gap between outward growth and meaningful global competitiveness. The same report showed global drone trade more than doubled over the past three years to exceed $6 billion, while the overall market is projected to expand more than 14 percent annually to reach $163.6 billion by 2030. Despite that growth, South Korea’s drone sector continues to struggle with weak manufacturing infrastructure, low localization of critical parts and heavy dependence on imports. DJI remains the dominant global player. Trade data cited by Monthly Trade, a publication affiliated with the KITA, showed China accounted for roughly 37.8 percent of global drone exports in 2024, down from 64.5 percent in 2022 but still by far the largest share. DJI alone is estimated to control more than 70 percent of the global finished-drone market. South Korea’s dependence is especially acute in components. Recent trade analysis found that Chinese products accounted for roughly 70 percent of South Korea’s drone-parts imports on average over the past three years, leaving domestic manufacturers vulnerable to supply disruptions or export controls from Beijing. Industry officials say the imbalance ultimately comes down to cost. Chinese components are often significantly cheaper than domestic alternatives, making it difficult for smaller Korean drone makers to source locally while competing in an intensely price-sensitive market. Kim Mu-hyun, a researcher at the KITA, said South Korea’s dependence on Chinese drone parts does not stem from a lack of technological capability. “South Korea has the technology,” Kim said. “The fundamental problem is that there is not enough domestic demand, so even if companies make the parts, it does not become profitable.” Kim argued that localization is necessary over the long term, but demand must come first. Without sustained civilian, public-sector or defense procurement, manufacturers have little incentive to invest in production lines or expand hiring. That imbalance is reflected in the industry’s structure. According to the 2024 Drone Industry Survey cited in industry reports, South Korea had 6,835 drone-related companies as of December 2023, but combined industry sales totaled just 1.09 trillion won ($1.4 billion). Of those firms, only 608 were manufacturers, while 6,227 focused on services or drone utilization, highlighting how the sector remains centered more on operation than deep manufacturing capacity. Employment data points to a similar weakness. According to figures from the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology cited in local industry reports, the number of workers employed by drone manufacturers fell from 4,152 in 2021 to 2,740 in 2023, even as the number of drone manufacturers rose from 345 to 608 over the same period. Experts say the government’s latest initiative could mark a shift from fragmented support measures toward a more coordinated national drone strategy. But its ultimate success will depend on whether the framework can generate enough sustained demand to justify large-scale domestic investment and reduce South Korea’s reliance on cheaper foreign supplies during a military contingency. 2026-05-08 16:14:50