S. Korea initiates first step to develop long-range ship-to-air guided missile through $248 mln deal

SEOUL -- South Korea has initiated its first steps towards developing a long-range ship-to-air guided missile through a 330.6 billion ($248.6 million) deal with LIG Nex 1, a major defense contractor headquartered in Yongin, a satellite city of Seoul. These missiles are poised to serve as South Korea's next-generation maritime weaponry. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on March 15 that a contract had been signed between the arms procurement agency

March 15, 2024

Defense contractor LIG Nex 1 accelerates first missile supply deal with US government

SEOUL -- LIG Nex 1, a prominent South Korean defense contractor, is expediting discussions with the United States government to finalize an export deal for the "Bigung" 70mm laser-guided anti-ship rocket system. While South Korean companies have previously supplied weapon parts and components to the U.S. government, the adoption of Bigung would mark the first time a South Korean full weaponry system is integrated into Washington's arsenal. The impetus for this develo

March 13, 2024

Canadian Embassy in Seoul hosts symposium to promote AI ethics across Indo-Pacific region

SEOUL -- At a symposium designed to accelerate cooperation on the ethical use of artificial intelligence, researchers and business officials from the Indo-Pacific region discussed obstacles in maintaining human rights and democratic values amid the rapid evolution of AI systems. This symposium, hosted by the Canadian Embassy in Seoul, focused on sharing diverse perspectives in preserving these principles. Canadian Ambassador to South Korea, Tamara Mawhinney, addressed the potentia

March 12, 2024

KAI to inject $68.7 mln for development of autonomous drones and single-seater FA-50 fighter jets

FA-50 developed by the Korea Aerospace Industries SEOUL -- The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a major defense company in South Korea specializing in aerial vehicle research and development, is set to accelerate the development and commercialization of autonomous aerial vehicles and the single-seater variant of the FA-50 supersonic light fighter jet. In a board meeting held on March 8, KAI announced its plan to inject a total of 90.8 billion won ($69.7 million) into t

March 8, 2024

Hanwha Ocean condemns data leak regarding Navy destroyer project

SEOUL -- Hanwha Ocean has strongly condemned the leak of confidential information related to the KDDX, a multi-billion-dollar project to build a new generation of destroyers for the South Korean Navy, by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, calling it a “serious criminal act.” The company also criticized the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)'s decision not to restrict HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ participation in the KDDX project bidding, despite the co

March 5, 2024

Turkish Embassy in Seoul celebrates test flight of homemade 5th-gen fighter jet

SEOUL -- The Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Seoul sent out a congratulatory message to celebrate the successful maiden flight of Türkiye's homegrown fifth-generation jet fighter known by its nickname "KAAN." The fighter jet formerly known as "TF-X" and "Milli Muharip Uçak" is a stealthy twin-engine all-weather air superiority fighter that is being developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and sub-contractor BAE Sy

February 22, 2024

S. Korean aircraft maker to showcase homemade light-armed helicopter in Singapore

SEOUL -- At a global air show in Singapore, South Korea's aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will present its light-armed helicopter, designed to replace an aging fleet of light helicopters such as MD500s and AH-1S Cobra. At the biennial event, some 1,000 companies from over 50 countries will showcase technologies in aviation and military capabilities. The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) unveiled its plan in November 2022 to mass-produce LAHs with an injection of 5.75

February 21, 2024

S. Korean aircraft maker partners with German arms maker targeting European market

SEOUL -- South Korea's aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will work with Diehl Defence, a weapon manufacturer in Germany, targeting the European defense market. "IRIS-T," an air-to-air missile made by the German arms maker, is set to be integrated with South Korea's homemade fighter jet FA-50. Diehl Defence led the IRIS-T development project which involves members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This advanced missile boasts a maximum spee

February 19, 2024

S. Koreans express fury towards national football association head over coach Klinsmann's dismissal

SEOUL -- South Korean football fans are expressing outrage towards Chung Mong-gyu, the head of the country's football association who notified Jurgen Klinsmann, the former head coach of the national men's football team, of his dismissal. Although the German coach was sacked amid controversies over his insufficient leadership, football fans claim the football federation's president bears greater responsibility. The 59-year-old German coach was fired by the Korea Footbal

February 16, 2024

S. Korea and Colombia agree on mutual airworthy certification program for military aircraft

SEOUL -- South Korea's arms procurement agency has partnered with Colombia's defense authority to jointly roll out a mutual airworthiness certification program for military aircraft. The mutual certification program will reduce the time taken in the verification process for the safety of military aircraft. The airworthiness certification is designed to ensure the safety of an aircraft and evaluate the essential criteria for its design, production, and operation. Colombia i

February 14, 2024