Industry

  • Concerns mount over South Koreas defense cost-sharing as US sets new standard
    Concerns mount over South Korea's defense cost-sharing as US sets 'new standard' SEOUL, June 20 (AJP) - Many Pundits here have begun to speculate about a possible renegotiation of South Korea's defense cost-sharing deal with Washington, after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this week that the U.S. has set a "new standard" for defense spending with its allies around the world including those in Asia. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell also said Thursday that its European allies are setting a "global standard" for alliances, which is June 20, 2025
  • North Korea launches repaired destroyer after initial failed attempt
    North Korea launches repaired destroyer after initial failed attempt SEOUL, June 13 (AJP) - North Korea has launched a large destroyer, after its initial failed attempt last month, state media reported on Friday. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the 5,000-ton destroyer, named after North Korea’s historical naval hero Kang Kon, was launched at a shipyard in the northeastern port city of Rajin after weeks of repair work. The country's leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch along with his daughter, Ju-ae, who was dressed in a white romp June 13, 2025
  • US may seek renegotiation of USFK upkeep deal
    US may seek renegotiation of USFK upkeep deal SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - There are growing speculations that the U.S. may seek to renegotiate its defense cost-sharing deal with South Korea for the upkeep of maintaining U.S. troops here. Shortly after his first telephone conversation with Acting President Han Duck-soo on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform that the two had discussed "payment for the big-time Military Protection provides to South Korea," among other issues. South Korea April 9, 2025
  • US intelligence chief raises alarms over North Koreas nuclear weapons ambitions
    US intelligence chief raises alarms over North Korea's nuclear weapons ambitions SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) - North Korea is "probably prepared to conduct another nuclear test on short notice," as the reclusive country has no intention of giving up its nuclear weapons program, a top U.S. intelligence official suggests. The comment came from U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard as she testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on Tuesday. "North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is pursuing stronger strategic and conventional capabilities March 26, 2025
  • US defense secretary to skip Seoul visit amid political turmoil
    US defense secretary to skip Seoul visit amid political turmoil SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will skip South Korea during his first official tour of the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth plans to visit Guam, Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines later this month to discuss military cooperation and regional security concerns, according to Pentagon officials on Friday. A potential stop in Seoul was considered but later excluded, reportedly due to political uncertainty here in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacl March 15, 2025
  • Poland hopes for swift weapons procurement from South Korea
    Poland hopes for swift weapons procurement from South Korea SEOUL, March 7 (AJP) - Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday expressed his hope for the swift shipment of weapons as part of its massive arms deal with South Korea. In a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in Warsaw, Duda "expressed his hope for swift progress" in finalizing the second-phrase purchase deal of K2 battle tanks to facilitate local production, the Foreign Ministry here said in a press release, quoting his as saying. Speaking later at a joint press March 7, 2025
  • Military vows support for victims after live-fire drill mishap
    Military vows support for victims after live-fire drill mishap SEOUL, March 7 (AJP) - Military authorities on Thursday vowed support for the victims of an accidental bombing in Pocheon, north of Seoul the previous day, pledging to come up with measures to prevent similar incidents. Fighter jets accidentally dropped eight bombs outside a training range during a live-fire drill in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, injuring 15 people including villagers and soldiers and also destroying five homes along with several other buildings and structures. Initial findings March 7, 2025
  • UK strengthens cooperation with Seoul through cybersecurity drill
    UK strengthens cooperation with Seoul through cybersecurity drill SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - A week-long computer-simulated defense drill on the outskirts of Seoul wrapped up last week, the British Embassy in Seoul said on Tuesday. Dubbed "Defense Cyber Marvel 4 (DCM4)" and hosted by the U.K. Ministry of Defense, this year’s drill, involving more than 1,000 participants from around 26 countries via Zoom at 20 different locations across the world, was held in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul, with over 400 representatives from South Korea, the U.K., March 5, 2025
  • Pentagon deputy nominee urges US allies to share greater burden, stresses strengthening alliance with Seoul
    Pentagon deputy nominee urges US allies to share greater burden, stresses strengthening alliance with Seoul SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - A nominee for a high-ranking post at the Pentagon stressed the need for U.S. allies to take greater responsibility for regional and global stability, arguing that the U.S. has long shouldered an unfair burden. In a written statement submitted to the Senate Committee on Armed Services ahead of his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Elbridge Colby, the nominee for U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, said, "I believe alliances are key. But, as President Tr March 5, 2025
  • South Korea discusses defense industry collaboration with UAE, Egypt
    South Korea discusses defense industry collaboration with UAE, Egypt SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South Korea discussed ways to strengthen defense ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on Monday. According to the South Korean arms procurement agency, DAPA chief Seok Jong-geon visited the UAE and Egypt from Feb. 17 to 21 to promote defense exports. During his visit to Abu Dhabi, Seok attended IDEX, the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East, where he met with senior defense officials f February 24, 2025