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South Korean defense ETFs surge as geopolitical tensions mount
South Korean defense ETFs surge as geopolitical tensions mount SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) -Growing geopolitical risks from Ukraine to Venezuela and Iran have lifted South Korean defense-related exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to the top of the country’s stock market rankings this year, outpacing even the red-hot semiconductor sector. According to ETFCheck data as of Tuesday, leveraged defense ETFs dominated the performance leaderboard. The PLUS K-Defense Leverage and KODEX K-Defense TOP10 Leverage surged 61.2 percent and 60.9 percent, respectively, far e January 15, 2026
  • Hancom Lifecare to supply K5 gas masks to Korean military
    Hancom Lifecare to supply K5 gas masks to Korean military SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Hancom Lifecare, a safety equipment subsidiary of Hancom Group, said Friday it has secured a major contract to supply gas masks to the South Korean armed forces. The company said it signed a 185 billion won ($13.8 million) agreement with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to deliver about 80,000 K5 gas masks by 2026. The K5 model, developed between 2010 and 2014, features a single-lens visor for improved visibility and dual filters designed to lower breat December 5, 2025
  • Meet my new partner AI: Korea deploys AI on police and defense front
    Meet my new partner AI: Korea deploys AI on police and defense front SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - South Korea is rapidly deploying artificial intelligence to reinforce law enforcement, public safety and national defense, accelerating the use of advanced technologies across frontline agencies. Police authorities are increasingly integrating AI into forensics, cold-case investigations and public-safety surveillance, while the Defense Ministry is building a large-scale AI data center equipped with up to 50,000 GPUs to support next-generation defense capabilities. AI November 25, 2025
  • Korea celebrates defense advance and explores sustainability strategy: Aju Defense Forum 25
    Korea celebrates defense advance and explores sustainability strategy: Aju Defense Forum '25 SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - South Korea’s defense industry is enjoying an unprecedented heyday as demand for self-defense in a nation still technically at war converges with its rapidly advancing technological capabilities. Amid simultaneous military confrontations in Ukraine and the Middle East, Korea’s defense exports have tripled and are likely to easily top 30 trillion won ($20 billion) this year. Yet despite the rediscovery of Korea’s firepower — from tanks to howi November 20, 2025
  • Team Korea lands in UAE to widen defense, energy, high-tech foray
    Team Korea lands in UAE to widen defense, energy, high-tech foray SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Team Korea — led by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and a delegation of top corporate chiefs — arrived Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates to pursue business opportunities in a Middle East rapidly pivoting toward digitalization, high-tech manufacturing, militarization and decarbonization powered by its oil wealth. The two-day UAE visit includes leaders from Korea's industrial backbone: Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Gro November 18, 2025
  • Regional dialogue in Seoul seeks stronger security cooperation
    Regional dialogue in Seoul seeks stronger security cooperation SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - A two-day regional dialogue aimed at strengthening security governance and exploring long-term policy cooperation in East Asia was held in central Seoul from Thursday, bringing together experts and scholars from across the region. Co-hosted by the Seoul-based International Policy Studies Institute (IPSI) and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the dialogue brought together security scholars, policy experts, and researchers from Taiwan, Japan, Ch November 7, 2025
  • Seoul expects details on nuke submarine and wartime command in SCM week
    Seoul expects details on nuke submarine and wartime command in SCM week SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - Seoul and Washington are expected to discuss detailed plans for the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) and South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine initiative — two agenda items that could reshape the country’s self-defense posture — during this week’s high-level bilateral security talks. The 57th annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), set for Tuesday in Seoul, is expected to focus on adjustments to the combined defens November 3, 2025
  • UPDATE: Hanwha Aero and Hyundai Rotem show off K-defense muscles in Q3
    UPDATE: Hanwha Aero and Hyundai Rotem show off K-defense muscles in Q3 SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - South Korean weapons makers kept up their record-setting earnings streak in the third quarter, powered by solid demand for Korean defense systems known for proven technology and rapid delivery. Hanwha Aerospace posted its strongest third-quarter performance on record, lifted by robust exports and solid contributions from subsidiary Hanwha Ocean — underscoring the group’s growing dominance across Korea’s expanding defense-industrial value chain. The c November 3, 2025
  • S. Korea, Singapore form strategic partnership to boost defense and trade ties
    S. Korea, Singapore form strategic partnership to boost defense and trade ties SEOUL, November 02 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong agreed on Sunday to establish a strategic partnership and to deepen cooperation across various sectors, including defense and trade. During a joint press conference following their summit at the presidential office, Lee and Wong agreed to closely cooperate in advanced technology, strengthen security coordination, and expand people-to-people exchanges in response to a rapidly changing global environme November 2, 2025
  • S.Korean defense expo hits all-time high as global interest surges
    S.Korean defense expo hits all-time high as global interest surges SEOUL, October 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest defense and aerospace exhibition wrapped up Sunday after an eight-day run, setting new records for business deals and attendance. The biennial Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025 drew 600 companies from 35 countries and generated $44.9 billion (64.6 trillion won) in business consultations — a 53 percent rise from 2023, marking a new record. "The surge in consultations reflects growing trust and dema October 26, 2025