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Taiwan drone defense gaps emerge as US-Korea drills scale back SEOUL, August 24 (AJP) - As the United States and South Korea scaled back their largest summertime military exercise, defense experts in Taiwan were highlighting gaps exposed by their own drills, calling for stronger layered air defenses against drones and other low-altitude threats. Taiwan's assessment follows its annual Han Kuang exercise, held from Aug. 5 to 14 to test the island's ability to respond to a potential Chinese attack. Hsiao-Huang Shu, an associate research fellow at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said this year's exercise showed improvements in both drone operations and counter-drone training but also exposed significant weaknesses. "Training involving both the use of drones and defense against them clearly increased during this year's Han Kuang exercise," Shu said, according to Taiwan's United Daily News. "Although the military has begun improving its defenses against drones, its active defense capability at low altitudes remains very limited, while its own use of drones is still at an early stage," he said. The assessment comes just days after South Korea and the United States cut short the command-post portion of their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise following an order from U.S. President Donald Trump to substantially reduce the drills. UFS had originally been scheduled to run from Aug. 17 through 27 with about 18,000 South Korean troops participating. The exercise was designed to rehearse combined and all-domain operations against threats on the Korean Peninsula, with scenarios incorporating drone attacks, GPS disruption and cyberattacks, capabilities that U.S. officials said reflected lessons North Korea has gained from its involvement in the war in Ukraine. The allies had also planned 14 battalion-level or larger field exercises under the broader training program. Traditionally, the first part of UFS focuses primarily on defending against an enemy attack, while the second shifts toward counteroffensive operations. But after Trump's directive, the command-post exercise was shortened from 11 days to five and ended Aug. 21. The second-phase counterattack portion was dropped, leaving this year's command-post training concentrated largely on defensive operations. Only seven of the 14 planned combined field exercises remained on the original schedule. The other seven were removed from the UFS schedule and are expected to be rearranged through consultations between Seoul and Washington. South Korean military officials have not publicly identified each of the seven affected field drills, meaning it remains unclear which specific live-training scenarios were lost during UFS itself. The Pentagon said some associated live events were reduced, canceled or converted into simulations. Jyh-Shyang Sheu, another INDSR researcher, said Taiwan also appeared to lack sufficient mobile battlefield air defense equipment to counter drones and other low-altitude threats, calling the construction of a multi-layered integrated air defense system an urgent priority. Taiwan is already developing such a network under President Lai Ching-te's proposed T-Dome architecture, intended to integrate defenses against ballistic missiles, aircraft, long-range weapons and unmanned systems. Taiwan already operates U.S.-made Patriot missiles and locally developed Sky Bow systems for higher-altitude threats and is acquiring NASAMS to strengthen its medium-range defenses. Shorter-range weapons form another layer against low-flying aircraft and drones. August 24, 2026 17: -
U.S. artillery setbacks open door for Korea's K9 SEOUL, August 24 (AJP) - U.S. artillery helped South Korea withstand North Korea's invasion in the Korean War. More than seven decades later, the U.S. Army is testing a South Korean gun to help modernize its own firepower. The U.S. Army's decision to select Hanwha Aerospace's K9-based artillery system for prototype testing is more than a breakthrough for the South Korean defense company. It also reflects years of difficulty modernizing U.S. artillery after repeated development setbacks and a long military focus on counterterrorism. The Army selected Hanwha Defense USA's K9 Mobile Howitzer (K9MH) for its Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program on Aug. 18, ordering six prototype systems with an option for another 12. The initial agreement is valued at $100.3 million and has a cumulative ceiling of $262.9 million if the additional systems are ordered. Unlike the tracked K9 Thunder operated by South Korea and a growing number of overseas customers, the K9MH places technology derived from the K9 family on a wheeled platform designed to meet U.S. requirements for greater tactical mobility. American soldiers will put the systems through operational experiments over an estimated four-year period, assessing performance, reliability and supportability under realistic combat conditions. If the Army eventually approves the system for fielding, the MTC is expected to replace M777 155 mm towed howitzers in selected formations. The goal is straightforward: give artillery units greater mobility and survivability on battlefields where drones, sensors and precision weapons can expose and strike a firing position within minutes. For a U.S. military accustomed to developing major land-combat systems at home, moving a foreign-derived platform into prototype testing is notable. It also comes after years of difficulty modernizing American tube artillery. "After 9/11, the United States shifted its military strategy away from preparing primarily for large-scale conventional warfare and toward counterterrorism and smaller conflicts," said Jeong Kyung-woon, a research fellow at the Korea Association of Military Studies. "As the Army moved from a division-centered structure toward brigade-centered operations, the priority given to the development of traditional ground-fire support, including 155 mm artillery, also declined relatively," Jeong said. The post-9/11 wars accelerated a broader Army shift toward brigade combat teams that could deploy and operate more independently. At the same time, major attempts to transform U.S. self-propelled artillery repeatedly failed to reach the battlefield. The Crusader program, launched in the 1990s as a possible successor to the M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, was canceled in 2002. The Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon, developed under the Army's ambitious Future Combat Systems program, met the same fate when that program was restructured and canceled in 2009. The most recent setback came with Extended Range Cannon Artillery, or ERCA. The program sought to extend the range of the Paladin from roughly 30 kilometers to about 70 kilometers by fitting it with a much longer 155 mm gun. Testing exposed a major problem. The longer gun tube suffered excessive wear after firing relatively few rounds, raising questions about whether it could sustain the firing rates required in combat. The Army closed out ERCA's rapid-prototyping effort and shifted toward evaluating mature artillery systems already available from U.S. and foreign manufacturers. "The U.S. military would have preferred to develop a key 155 mm artillery system domestically if possible," Jeong said. "But when domestic development did not proceed as planned, it ultimately had to look at proven systems that were already available." "While the United States went through repeated difficulties with its next-generation artillery programs, systems such as Korea's K9 and Germany's PzH 2000 continued to undergo upgrades and accumulate operational experience," he said. The canceled programs and the K9MH contract are not part of one direct acquisition lineage. Crusader, NLOS-C and ERCA largely centered on replacing or extending the capabilities of the tracked M109 Paladin, while the MTC program is intended to replace M777 towed artillery in selected units. The common thread is a change in procurement strategy. After years spent trying to develop a new artillery solution largely from scratch, the Army has increasingly turned to mature systems that can be tested, adapted and fielded more quickly. The K9 enters that competition with scale already behind it. Hanwha says more than 2,500 K9-family howitzers have been fielded globally. The system has been adopted by South Korea, Türkiye, Poland, India, Finland, Norway, Estonia, Australia, Egypt and Romania, including six NATO members. The growing customer base has given Hanwha something that matters in a U.S. competition: years of production experience and a supply chain built around a weapon already operating in different climates and military organizations. Winning the prototype agreement, however, remains far from securing a full U.S. Army procurement program. The six systems must first survive years of soldier testing, and the Army has made clear that the data will be used to decide whether and how the weapon should eventually be fielded. Hanwha is nevertheless preparing for a longer-term U.S. presence. Hanwha Defense USA is establishing an integration and testing facility in Opelika, Alabama, as part of its localization strategy. The company has said the facility will support its effort to build a U.S. supply chain around the K9 platform. Hanwha Group is also injecting up to $299 million into Hanwha Defense USA and Hanwha FutureProof, an investment vehicle established to invest in strategic U.S. assets, as the conglomerate expands across the world's largest defense market. Hanwha Defense USA, wholly owned by Hanwha Aerospace, serves as the group's U.S. land-defense arm. Hanwha Aerospace shares closed 3.13 percent higher Monday at 1.119 million won. The prototype order does not mean the U.S. Army has chosen a Korean gun. It does mean that a South Korean artillery system has reached a point where the world's largest military is testing it as a possible answer to one of its own capability gaps. More than seven decades after American artillery helped defend South Korea, the flow of military hardware between the two allies is no longer one-way. AJP Takeaways · The U.S. Army selected Hanwha Defense USA’s K9 Mobile Howitzer for prototype testing under its Mobile Tactical Cannon program, marking a major step for South Korea’s K9 artillery platform in the U.S. defense market. · Repeated setbacks in U.S. artillery modernization, including the canceled Crusader, NLOS-C and ERCA programs, have pushed the Army toward testing mature foreign and domestic systems that can be fielded more quickly. · Hanwha’s K9 family is already used or ordered by 10 countries, including six NATO members, while the company expands U.S. investment and localization ahead of years of Army testing. August 24, 2026 17: -
People Power Party: Demands for Supreme Court Justice Recommendations Are Unconstitutional The People Power Party criticized the Blue House and the ruling party on August 24, stating that any demands or pressures for the Chief Justice to recommend Supreme Court justices would be unconstitutional.Jang Dong-hyuk, the party leader, made this statement during a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, asserting, The constitutional provisions are clear. There is no reason to consult or coordinate with the president in advance.Jang argued that the National Assembly can exercise its consent authority to check the Chief Justices recommendations for Supreme Court appointments. He claimed that any coordination regarding these recommendations constitutes an infringement on judicial authority. He also raised suspicions that the Blue House and the ruling party are attacking Chief Justice Cho to appoint justices that align with their preferences.He further stated, The collapse of the judiciary is a death sentence for democracy, urging the judiciary to address the issue directly. He noted that the situation began when the judiciary halted five trials against the president, calling for the resumption of those trials.Jeong Jeom-sik, the floor leader, characterized the pressure on Chief Justice Cho to resign as political retaliation. He pointed out that the Supreme Courts decision to overturn a guilty verdict in a case involving President Lee Jae-myung was met with political backlash. He emphasized, Stop the empty threats and if you are confident, go ahead with impeachment proceedings. He added, If you cannot do that, I hope you will cease the threatening rhetoric that tarnishes the ears of the public.Meanwhile, Jang also called for a major shift in the Lee Jae-myung administrations North Korea and security policies. He remarked, As the U.S. seeks to engage in talks with North Korea, President Lee has positioned himself as a facilitator. However, it seems neither the U.S. nor North Korea has any intention of including him in the discussions, criticizing the administrations diplomatic performance as being dismissed by the U.S., mocked by North Korea, and ignored by China.* This article has been translated by AI. August 24, 2026 09: -
North Korea and Belarus to Sign Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement Soon Belarus and North Korea are set to sign a mutual visa exemption agreement for their citizens soon.On August 23, Belarusian state news agency BelTA reported that Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov discussed the visa exemption agreement and overall bilateral relations during a meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui.Ryzhenkov stated, The draft agreement is already prepared, and only some details remain to be coordinated.This agreement is seen as a follow-up to a treaty on friendship and cooperation signed by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during Lukashenkos visit to Pyongyang in March. In April, Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin signed a resolution to establish an embassy in North Korea, further strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries.North Korea has been enhancing its military and diplomatic ties with Russia, including sending troops to support Russia in the Ukraine war. As North Korea expands its relationship with Belarus, a key ally of Russia, cooperation among North Korea, Russia, and Belarus is expected to deepen.* This article has been translated by AI. August 24, 2026 07:
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58 Indicted, Major Allegations Remain Unresolved as Special Investigation Ends The second comprehensive special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, concluded its 180-day investigation on August 23. The team indicted a total of 58 individuals, including former President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Geon-hee.According to the special investigation team, seven of those indicted were taken into custody, while 51 others, including corporations, were indicted without detention. Following a Heavy Tail Strategy focused on case resolutions in the final stages of the investigation, over 40 individuals were referred to trial in the last two weeks.Notable outcomes include the investigation into allegations surrounding the relocation of the presidential office during Yoons administration. The team first indicted former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, former Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki, former Secretary for General Affairs Yoon Jae-soon, and former Secretary for Management Kim O-jin in June for illegally diverting and executing state funds. They later indicted Kim Geon-hee, National Assembly member Yoon Han-hong, and 21Gram CEO Kim Tae-young.Also indicted were Yoo Byeong-ho, a member of the Board of Audit and Inspection, and other officials accused of attempting to suppress investigations by the Board. The team expanded its inquiry into allegations of illegal diversion of state funds by the presidential office and the Ministry of the Interior, as well as claims of leniency in audits by the Board.Former President Yoon, former National Security Office head Shin Won-sik, and former Deputy National Security Advisor Kim Tae-hyo were indicted for allegedly directing the dissemination of messages justifying the 12.3 martial law to allied nations, including the United States.Indictments were also made against former Presidential Office Secretary for Public Discipline Lee Si-won, who is accused of leaking information related to the Chae Sang-byeong incident, and former Army Counterintelligence Command head Hwang Yu-seong, who allegedly concealed the VIP anger theory, along with former Marine Corps Command Counterintelligence Unit head Moon Yeon-cheol.However, the investigation did not reach conclusions on significant allegations, including the Noh Sang-won notebook and the involvement of the Suwon District Prosecutors Office in the Yoon administrations investigations, as well as the allegations surrounding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway.Despite being the largest and longest-running special investigation team in history, the team left many unresolved cases, leading to criticism in the legal community that the investigation was ultimately incomplete.The expressway route change allegations saw the special investigation team impose a travel ban on former Minister Won and summon him twice, even conducting mobile phone forensics, but they ultimately could not establish any charges and decided to hand the case back to the National Police Agency.In the case of the Noh Sang-won notebook, the special investigation team conducted on-site verifications at facilities noted as collection points in the notebook, including the Yeonpyeong base, and investigated former Minister of Defense Kim Yong-hyun as a suspect in conspiracy to commit insurrection. However, they could not secure testimony from former Commander Noh, which hindered their ability to substantiate the allegations.Allegations of interference by the Yoon administrations presidential office in the Suwon District Prosecutors Office investigation were also noted. In March, the team confirmed indications of presidential office involvement in the investigation of the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case and requested the Seoul High Prosecutors Offices Human Rights Violation Task Force to take over the case. In April, they classified it as a suspected massive state corruption incident but reported no significant progress and indicated plans to transfer it.Concerns were raised regarding the reversal of decisions related to key figures involved in insurrection. The special investigation team indicted Hong Jang-won, former first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, who revealed former President Yoons directive to capture everyone, and Jo Sung-hyun, former commander of the Armys Capital Defense Command, who received a commendation for instructing troops not to cross the Seogang Bridge while moving to the National Assembly during martial law, on charges of insurrection.Both individuals were key witnesses who assisted in proving the insurrection allegations against former President Yoon and others during the insurrection special investigation teams inquiry. Given the conflicts between the two special investigation teams during the indictment process, disputes are expected to continue during the maintenance of charges.The comprehensive special investigation team is scheduled to hold a final briefing on the investigation results on the morning of August 24 at their office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.* This article has been translated by AI. August 23, 2026 19:
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North Korea's Per Capita Income Just 1/29 of South Korea's Amid Deepening Inequality North Korea has seen rapid marketization, but the institutional framework to support it remains inadequate. Analysis indicates that when external economic shocks occur, the impact is disproportionately felt by the lower and middle classes, who lack political connections and capital, exacerbating income inequality.According to a report released by the Bank of Korea on August 23, North Koreas per capita nominal Gross National Income (GNI) is projected to be 1.72 million won in 2024, just 1/29th of South Koreas income. This level is comparable to the lowest low-income group as classified by the World Bank.The North Korean economy operates under a dual structure, consisting of an official sector based on a planned economy and an informal sector centered around markets.The Bank of Korea estimates that the informal market sector has grown significantly, now comparable to the official sector. Previous studies indicate that approximately 70% of the average residents income is earned in the market.However, the pace of marketization has outstripped the establishment of supporting institutions. While market activities have spread widely, legal and institutional protections such as fair competition, tax and redistribution systems, and property rights have not been adequately established. This has led to a quasi-marketization structure where economic opportunities are distributed unevenly based on political connections and access to capital, according to the Bank of Korea.This structure has shown that external economic shocks further exacerbate income inequality. Analysis reveals that from 2015 to 2019, income inequality in North Koreas informal sector significantly worsened compared to the period from 2011 to 2014.The widening inequality is attributed more to a substantial increase in the lower-income population than to growth in the upper-income group. Even after economic shocks are mitigated and market activities recover, once income inequality has expanded, it tends to persist for a considerable time.The Bank of Korea assesses that these findings indicate that merely expanding the appearance of a market economy does not guarantee equitable improvement in the economic conditions of residents.Jo Yong-sin, head of the Economic Security Research Office at the Bank of Korea, stated, External economic shocks in a quasi-marketization context can provide opportunities for the upper class to increase their economic benefits through rent-seeking and risk-free arbitrage, while the relatively economically vulnerable middle and lower classes may absorb the shocks, leading to asymmetric outcomes.* This article has been translated by AI. August 23, 2026 12:
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Military: North Korea Prepares for Additional Troop Deployment to Russia North Korea is continuing preparations to send additional troops to Russia, but no signs of an imminent deployment have been detected, according to the Ministry of National Defense.In a report submitted to the National Assemblys Defense Committee by lawmaker Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party, military authorities stated that while North Koreas troop deployment preparations are ongoing, there are currently no identifiable signs of an imminent additional deployment.The possibility of North Korea sending more troops emerged last month when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky raised concerns about the potential deployment of over 30,000 North Korean soldiers to Russia.The South Korean military assesses that North Korea has already dispatched 15,000 combat troops and more than 6,000 engineers and construction personnel to Russia since October 2024. This is the first time the South Korean military has publicly disclosed a specific evaluation regarding North Koreas additional troop deployment.Additionally, the military estimates that there have been numerous casualties among North Korean troops currently deployed in Russia, and that compensation for these troops has been provided. It is estimated that North Korea has supplied over 15 million rounds of 152mm artillery shells to Russia.North Koreas military support to Russia appears to be ongoing. The Defense Intelligence Agency has assessed that since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, North Korea has been continuously supplying weapon systems, including short-range ballistic missiles, to Russia.Given the practical data accumulated from North Korean missiles used in the Russia-Ukraine war, there is a possibility that their accuracy and performance have improved due to Russian consultations and parts support.In particular, the Hwasong-11 series tactical ballistic missiles and 600mm multiple rocket launchers, designed for strikes against South Korea, are believed to have mostly completed their development stages.However, the new tactical ballistic missile that North Korea announced it would deploy with 250 launchers at the front line has not yet shown signs of operational deployment.North Korea is also continuing its development of medium- and long-range missiles. The Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of reaching Guam, is reportedly in the process of operational deployment following its development.Furthermore, North Korea has secured the capability to reach the U.S. mainland with its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), but the military has assessed that key technologies, such as re-entry of warheads into the atmosphere, have not yet been verified, as all test launches have been conducted at high angles.In the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) sector, North Korea is believed to be developing the Polaris series with ranges exceeding medium-range and the short-range Hwasong-11S SLBM.Meanwhile, North Korea is accelerating military enhancements in border areas, including the installation of minefields and barbed wire along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), as well as increasing its military capabilities with 240mm and 600mm multiple rocket launchers and new self-propelled artillery.Lawmaker Yoo stated, The practical experience and data accumulated by North Korea in the Russia-Ukraine war should not be taken lightly, as they could pose a threat to the Korean Peninsula. Our military must establish a solid military readiness posture to respond immediately and decisively, and maintain a robust South Korea-U.S. joint defense posture.* This article has been translated by AI. August 23, 2026 10:
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North Korea deploys drone operators among 8,500 troops in Russia, Ukraine says SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - North Korea has deployed about 8,500 troops to Russia, including hundreds of drone operators who could conduct reconnaissance and strikes against targets inside Ukraine, according to a senior Ukrainian intelligence official. Maj. Gen. Vadym Skibitskiy, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, told CNN that the North Korean contingent is deployed mainly in Russia's Kursk region and includes about 1,000 engineers and demining personnel as well as 400 drone operators. Many of the drone operators have gained experience either directly or indirectly through previous North Korean deployments, according to Skibitskiy. Their drones are expected to be used for both surveillance and attacks against targets inside Ukraine. The deployment marks a further expansion of North Korea's role in Russia's war, moving beyond the infantry and engineering units Pyongyang previously sent to include personnel specializing in drone warfare. Ukrainian intelligence does not expect the newly deployed North Korean troops to fight directly on Ukrainian territory. Instead, they are expected to reinforce Russian rear positions, potentially freeing Russian forces for combat operations inside Ukraine, Skibitskiy said. Ukraine estimates that about 25,000 North Korean personnel have so far been deployed to or rotated through Russia's military since Pyongyang began sending troops in late 2024. North Korea's first major deployment began in Russia's Kursk region in October 2024 after Ukrainian forces launched an incursion across the border. About 10,000 North Korean troops were initially deployed, with many suffering heavy casualties during combat operations. Pyongyang publicly confirmed its involvement in the fighting in April 2025. Skibitskiy also said Russian President Vladimir Putin could ask North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for as many as 50,000 additional troops when the two leaders meet in September 2026. North Korea has rejected claims that it is preparing another deployment on that scale. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, this week dismissed reports of tens of thousands of additional troops as a "groundless self-fabricated scenario." The expansion of military cooperation is not limited to personnel. Skibitskiy said North Korea had supplied Russia with at least 150 KN-23 or KN-24 ballistic missiles before August last year and had pledged another 120. Forty of those additional missiles have already been delivered, according to the Ukrainian intelligence assessment. In exchange for supplying Russia with troops and munitions, North Korea has sought advanced Russian military technology, according to Ukraine. Skibitskiy said Pyongyang had requested Russia's S-400 air defense system and had already received a Pantsir-1 surface-to-air missile system. The growing North Korean role comes as Ukraine faces acute shortages of advanced air defense interceptors. Ballistic missiles are particularly difficult to intercept, and North Korean weapons have added to the pressure on Kyiv's limited stocks of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors. CNN noted that North Korea's growing battlefield experience, particularly in drone warfare, is drawing concern among U.S. allies as Washington moves to scale back some military training with Seoul. August 22, 2026 13: -
Ukrainian Intelligence: 8,500 North Korean Troops Deployed in Russia, Including Drone Units Ukrainian intelligence reports that approximately 8,500 North Korean troops are currently deployed in Russia, including personnel operating reconnaissance and attack drones.Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraines Defense Intelligence Agency (HUR), stated in a CNN interview on August 21 that these North Korean forces are primarily stationed in the Kursk region of Russia.Skibitsky claimed that among these troops, about 1,000 are engineers and mine clearance specialists, while around 400 are drone operators. Many of these drone operators have reportedly gained operational experience, either directly or indirectly, since their deployment to Russia.He noted that the drones operated by North Korean forces could potentially be used for reconnaissance or attacks on targets within Ukraine.According to Skibitsky, the role of North Korean troops is expected to focus more on bolstering Russian rear positions rather than direct engagement on the front lines, thereby supporting the deployment of Russian forces.He also suggested that if Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in September, there could be a request for additional troop support of up to 50,000 personnel.North Korea is believed to have first sent troops to the Kursk region in October 2024 to support Russias war in Ukraine, with initial estimates of around 10,000 troops. Reports indicate that significant casualties occurred during their involvement in large-scale assault tactics.Ukraine estimates that a total of 25,000 North Korean troops have been deployed or rotated in Russia to date.There are also indications that North Koreas support for Russia is expanding beyond personnel to include military equipment such as missiles and air defense systems.Skibitsky claimed that North Korea provided at least 150 KN-23 or KN-24 ballistic missiles to Russia before August of last year and agreed to supply an additional 120 missiles. He suggested that North Korea appears to be gathering actual launch data during Russias attacks on Ukraine to improve missile accuracy and warhead performance.Additionally, he stated that North Korea has requested the S-400 air defense system from Russia in exchange for troop and ammunition support and has already received the Pantsir air defense missile system.Ukrainian intelligence indicates that military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is expanding beyond troop support to include drone and missile operations.* This article has been translated by AI. August 22, 2026 10:
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US approves possible $125 million sale of AIM-9X missiles to South Korea SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - The United States has approved a possible $125 million sale of more than 100 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles to South Korea, a move Washington says will strengthen Seoul's air defense capability and deterrence against regional threats. The U.S. State Department said Friday that it had approved the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS), of 103 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles and 10 AIM-9X Block II tactical guidance units, along with related equipment and support. The estimated total cost of the package is $125 million. The State Department said the proposed sale would support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the security of South Korea, which it described as "an important force for political stability and economic progress" in the Indo-Pacific region. Washington also said the sale would improve South Korea's ability to respond to current and future threats by expanding its air defense capability and "deterring aggression in the region," while ensuring interoperability with U.S. forces. The principal contractor for the proposed sale will be RTX Corp., the Virginia-based U.S. defense company whose Raytheon business manufactures the Sidewinder missile. The AIM-9X is the latest generation of the Sidewinder family of short-range, infrared-guided air-to-air missiles and is widely used by U.S. and allied fighter aircraft. South Korea already operates AIM-9X missiles on several of its U.S.-designed fighter aircraft, including the F-15K, KF-16 and F-35A. The latest authorization adds to a series of previous U.S. approvals for South Korean acquisitions of the Sidewinder. The approval also comes as Washington and Seoul face questions over the future scale of their joint military exercises. U.S. President Donald Trump this week instructed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" joint drills with South Korea, citing their cost and describing them as unnecessarily hostile toward North Korea, even as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began as scheduled. The State Department's decision does not mean the transaction has been finalized. Under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process, the proposed sale is subject to congressional notification and review before a final agreement can be concluded. August 22, 2026 09: -
Chung Dong-young: Trump's Actions Signal Change on Korean Peninsula Chung Dong-young, the Minister of Unification, stated on August 21 that President Donald Trumps push for a North Korea-U.S. summit signifies a significant shift on the Korean Peninsula. During a meeting with leaders from seven major religious groups held at Dalgaebi in Jung-gu, Chung expressed cautious optimism, saying, It is too early to be either optimistic or pessimistic, while sharing his hopes for the summit.Reflecting on the past year and three months since the new government took office, he acknowledged efforts made but noted they were insufficient. He added, If the North Korea-U.S. summit takes place as expected, it could serve as a turning point for redefining the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding Northeast Asian dynamics.Chung emphasized to the religious leaders that strength comes from unity with the people, stating, The efforts of the seven major religious groups for peace and stability have not resonated until now, and it is time for both the government and civil society to make concerted efforts.Regarding the issue of referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, or its abbreviation, North Korea, he suggested that public sentiment should be considered. He stated, Rather than the government taking the lead, it is necessary to wait until public opinion matures.He mentioned that last month, religious elders proposed the official naming of North Korea, noting, The elders of the seven major religious groups were the first to open the discussion on this issue, and added, If the seven major religious groups take the lead, it may further activate public discourse.Earlier, during a briefing at the Blue House on August 5, Chung reported that referring to North Korea by its official name could be a first step toward mutual respect between the two Koreas. However, President Lee Jae-myung urged caution, citing concerns about potential negative repercussions.Meanwhile, Chung spoke with reporters at the Government Seoul Complex, stating, I feel that it is not just sparks moving, but the tectonic plates of Northeast Asia are shifting.He expressed his frustrations over the past year, saying, As the Minister of Unification, I have felt truly frustrated. I took on the role of Minister of Unification for the second time with the determination to break the entrenched situation, but it has been insufficient and a time of great disappointment.* This article has been translated by AI. August 21, 2026 18:
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Blue House Calls for North Korea to Cease Unnecessary Criticism and Work Towards Peaceful Coexistence The Blue House urged North Korea to stop unnecessary slander against the South and move forward together towards peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.A Blue House official made this statement on the 21st in response to a speech by Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the North Korean Workers Party, who criticized President Lee Jae-myung by name the previous night. The official noted that derogatory remarks about our government and president do not help build mutual trust.The official emphasized that the government will consistently pursue a policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula based on mutual respect.Furthermore, the official stated, As a party to peace on the Korean Peninsula, we will continue to maintain close cooperation with the United States and strive to resume dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. as a facilitator.Earlier, on the 20th, Kim criticized the reduction of U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, stating, Due to a single remark from President Donald Trump, Seoul finds itself in the unfortunate position of having to withdraw from its favorite war games.She also accused President Lee of displaying double standards in his words and actions, reflecting South Koreas anxious and contradictory mindset.* This article has been translated by AI. August 21, 2026 14:
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Former NSC chief urges Seoul to take Trump's latest moves seriously SEOUL, August 21 (AJP) - Former White House National Security Council chief of staff Alexander B. Gray urged Seoul to take U.S. President Donald Trump seriously on investment and the treatment of American companies while defending his "unconventional" approach to North Korea, which differs from previous presidents', in an AJP interview in Seoul earlier this week, two days after Trump abruptly ordered a substantial reduction in a joint military exercise with South Korea on Sunday. Trump cited the cost of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, among other reasons for its reduction, but many pundits speculated that the move was related to delays in implementing Seoul's US$350 billion U.S. investment commitment and Washington's complaints involving Coupang and other American companies. AJP interviewed Gray at Lotte Hotel Seoul on Tuesday as the allies were confronting an unusually broad set of challenges spanning military coordination, North Korea policy, trade and investment. Trump's Aug. 16 order had come only hours before the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise was due to begin and apparently without advance notice to officials in either Seoul or Washington. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers the following day that officials in both governments had been unaware of the order beforehand. At the time of the interview, Gray stressed that the exercise then underway had not yet been altered and argued that Trump's broader record demonstrated that Washington remained willing to use force when necessary to maintain deterrence. That changed within a day. South Korea and the U.S. subsequently agreed to end UFS about a week earlier than originally scheduled on Aug. 27, cutting the 11-day exercise to five days and reducing some combined field training drills. About 18,000 South Korean troops are participating in this year's exercise. Gray said Trump's decision should also be viewed in the context of his longstanding interest in personally engaging North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Gary said Trump believes his unusual personal leverage could produce a diplomatic breakthrough that previous U.S. presidents failed to achieve. "His unique position as a global leader can achieve a diplomatic outcome with North Korea that has eluded every American president since Harry Truman," Gray said. "I think he's very committed to trying to do that," he said. "As he enters the final half of his presidency, I think he's going to look for ways to reshape global politics, and North Korea is a great opportunity to do that," he added. Events since the interview have reinforced signs that Trump is seeking another encounter with Kim. Trump said Wednesday that he expected to meet the North Korean leader later this year, while the Wall Street Journal reported that he had been pressing aides to arrange a meeting as early as this fall, possibly during a November trip to Asia. Trump met Kim three times during his first term, but their nuclear diplomacy broke down without an agreement after the 2019 summit in Hanoi. The nuclear challenge has also grown substantially since those meetings. Trump said Wednesday that North Korea had 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons. South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers the following day that private research estimates generally put Pyongyang's arsenal at between 80 and 120 warheads, although he stressed that the South Korean military could not officially verify an exact figure. Pyongyang, meanwhile, has offered little indication that Trump's latest gesture will immediately revive talks. Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's influential sister, dismissed the scaled-back exercises as insufficient while still describing the personal relationship between Trump and Kim as "excellent." North Korea then fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters on Thursday. Gray said Trump's complimentary language toward Kim should not necessarily be read as personal affection, but as part of his negotiating style. "If you want to have a positive relationship that leads to negotiations that serve U.S. interests, why would you intentionally be nasty to our adversaries?" Gray said. "President Trump thinks that there is no value in gratuitously criticizing people that we have to negotiate with," he said. "Kim Jong-un is ultimately going to have to sit across the table from President Trump and President Lee, and they are going to have to come up with a deal," he added. Gray said the same transactional approach lies behind Trump's demands on South Korea in the economic sphere. For decades, he argued, Washington was willing to tolerate trade arrangements that it did not necessarily regard as economically reciprocal because close alliances with South Korea and Japan produced larger geopolitical benefits. Trump, he said, now wants to change that bargain by coupling the security relationship with large-scale investment that creates jobs and industrial capacity inside the United States. South Korea committed to a $350 billion U.S. investment package as part of the bilateral trade agreement reached last year. The package consists of $200 billion for strategic investments and $150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation. Seoul launched the state-backed Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corporation in June to implement the pledge, but specific projects are still being selected. Gray warned that Seoul should not assume it could delay implementation until Trump leaves office in January 2029. He said Trump wants to see concrete projects being built and Americans employed while he remains in the White House, and that a lack of tangible progress over the coming year could create serious difficulties in bilateral relations. Looking beyond the immediate disputes, Gray said Washington still wants the alliance to broaden. "Number one, we want to see the alliance continue to grow and expand into new areas," Gray said. "We also want to see a broader consensus that China is a very serious threat to regional stability," he said. "The U.S. wants to see governments of both the left and the right in all of our partners and allies view China in a similar way," he added. Gray acknowledged that South Korea faces different economic realities because of its geographical proximity and extensive trade ties with China, leaving room for differences over tactics. But he said Washington would continue to seek broad strategic alignment from its allies regardless of which parties hold power. "The final thing is understanding that, as we talk about the investment package, we have to see some reciprocity," Gray said. "We have to see U.S. companies treated fairly," he said. "We have to see the investment deal that was made honored and turned into actual projects," he added. His comments come amid growing political pressure in Washington over the treatment of American businesses in South Korea. A report released last month by the Republican-led U.S. House Judiciary Committee alleged that South Korean regulators had engaged in discriminatory enforcement against American-owned companies, with particular attention to U.S.-listed e-commerce company Coupang and the Korea Fair Trade Commission. Seoul has rejected the broader allegation that it systematically discriminates against foreign companies. Gray was sharply critical of the regulatory environment. "If you look at the way U.S. digital companies are disproportionately receiving large fines, and the way in which the Korea Fair Trade Commission is targeting U.S. companies and going after them with very aggressive raids, frankly, some of the positions those employees have been put in are completely unfair," Gray said. "U.S. digital and tech companies right now are the backbone of the U.S. economy," he said. "They are driving our growth and productivity. They are the innovators," he said. "They have enormous economic heft in the United States," he added. Gray argued that Trump has increasingly treated major American technology companies as strategically important national assets and has shown a willingness to retaliate when he believes they are being unfairly targeted abroad. "The president has recognized that, and he has been very responsive when those companies have been treated unfairly, whether by Canada with a digital services tax or by the European Union with the Digital Markets Act," Gray said. "He has responded to every instance of unfair regulation by threatening tariffs, actually imposing tariffs or using other forms of trade retaliation," he said. "I would hate to see a situation in which Korea didn't take him seriously on this issue, didn't learn the lessons of Canada and the EU, and made the relationship more challenging by failing to understand the way in which we now view our tech companies as national champions," he said. "If they are being discriminated against, I don't think President Trump is going to stand for it," Gray added. The South Korean government publicly pushed back against that characterization a day after Gray's interview. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yun Cheol told an American Chamber of Commerce in Korea luncheon in Seoul on Wednesday that the government does not discriminate against foreign businesses and regards foreign companies investing and operating in South Korea as Korean companies. Koo also rejected suggestions that Seoul was deliberately delaying the $350 billion investment package, saying project selection was moving forward and identifying energy as one area drawing particular interest. Gray nevertheless argued that the economic relationship could become a source of greater alliance strength if Korean manufacturing capacity is integrated with American technology and production. He pointed to investments by Samsung and SK in the United States and to growing U.S.-Korean cooperation in shipbuilding, including Hanwha's operations in Philadelphia. "I think combining Korea's exceptional manufacturing expertise with U.S. innovation and facilities in the U.S. that can directly support our industrial base is the way to make this not a dependency, but something that benefits both sides," Gray said. Gray also rejected the common portrayal of Trump's foreign policy as impulsive, arguing that unpredictability itself is a calculated negotiating tool. "The president has always said that the unpredictability he is perceived to have by both friends and foes is one of his greatest strengths," Gray said. "He has referenced a term used by President Nixon called the 'madman theory' repeatedly," he said. Gray said the same uncertainty could help deter China from attempting to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. "I have a lot of confidence that we are going to be able to get through President Trump's term without a major escalation in Taiwan because I don't think Xi Jinping wants to find out how President Trump would handle an invasion of the Taiwan Strait or other coercion," he said. Gray, who worked with Trump inside the White House during his first term, said his personal experience differed sharply from the image of presidential improvisation often presented publicly. "What I saw personally, though, is a little bit different," Gray said. "I saw a president who uses that ambiguity and the public uncertainty about how he communicates in a very strategic way," he said. "There is a public narrative that he says things without a larger strategy. My experience is that everything he says has been thought through, has been discussed with his advisers, and is communicated in ways that tie back to a larger U.S. interest or the direction he is trying to head," he said. "The public narrative in the U.S. and globally sometimes confuses an intentional tactic with something chaotic or shooting from the hip," he said. "I think it is more intended to look that way than it actually is," Gray added. Gray met political figures during his visit to South Korea. He told AJP that he met independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon, a former leader of the People Power Party, during his stay. Gray also said PPP Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok came to Lotte Hotel Seoul on Monday, Aug. 17, a day before the AJP interview, and that the two held talks. Gray is chief executive officer of American Global Strategies LLC, a Washington-based international strategic advisory firm he co-founded with Robert C. O'Brien, who served as Trump's national security adviser. Gray served as deputy assistant to the president and chief of staff of the White House National Security Council from 2019 to 2021, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the national security adviser's immediate office as well as the NSC's budget, personnel and security functions. He is also a senior nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council. Before becoming NSC chief of staff, Gray served as special assistant to the president for the defense industrial base at the White House National Economic Council and as the NSC's first director for Oceania and Indo-Pacific security. He also served on Trump's 2016 presidential transition team at the State Department and was a defense policy adviser to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. August 21, 2026 13: -
President Lee's Approval Rating Stands at 45%, Up 1% from Last Week President Lee Jae-myungs approval rating has slightly increased, matching his disapproval rating at 45%, according to a survey released on August 21. This marks a 1 percentage point rise from the record low of 44% reported in the second week of August.The survey, conducted by Korea Gallup from August 18 to 20 among 1,004 adults aged 18 and older, found that 45% of respondents approved of the presidents job performance, while another 45% disapproved. Eleven percent of respondents chose not to express an opinion.Among those who approved, the most common reasons cited were diplomacy (19%), economy/livelihood (11%), and generally doing well or communication (both at 7%). Conversely, those who disapproved primarily pointed to real estate policy (28%) as the main issue, followed by economy/livelihood (12%) and national defense/security/North Korea (7%).In terms of party support, the Democratic Party of Korea received 41%, while the People Power Party garnered 25%, with both parties maintaining the same levels of support as in the previous survey. The Reform Party, Justice Party, and Progressive Party each received 2%, while 26% of respondents identified as undecided.This survey was conducted via telephone interviews using randomly selected virtual numbers. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a contact rate of 45.6% and a response rate of 10.0%. For more details, please refer to the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.* This article has been translated by AI. August 21, 2026 13:
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Kim Min-seok Plans to Restore Party Diplomacy with Visits to US, China, and Japan Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, announced plans on August 21 to restore party diplomacy, with intentions to visit the United States, China, and Japan by the end of the year. He emphasized the need to accelerate these efforts ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November.During a Supreme Council meeting held at the Gangneung City Hall, Kim stated, Given the complex changes in the Korean Peninsulas situation involving the U.S., China, and North Korea, it is time to strengthen the role of President Lee Jae-myung as a pacemaker.He added, When I was Prime Minister, I visited the U.S. and China, meeting with President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.Kim highlighted that party diplomacy differs from government diplomacy as it includes dialogue with opposition parties. He reiterated his commitment to visiting the U.S., China, and Japan this year, as promised during the party convention, and announced the formation of a task force to advance these diplomatic efforts.* This article has been translated by AI. August 21, 2026 12: