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Will North Korea Respond to Military Talks Proposal on MDL Criteria?

Defense·Diplomacy

Will North Korea Respond to Military Talks Proposal on MDL Criteria?

As the South Korean military proposed on the 17th to discuss the criteria for the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with North Korea, attention is focused on whether North Korea will respond. Given that North Korea has defined inter-Korean relations as those between two hostile states, there is interest in whether it will provide a meaningful answer. Kim Hongcheol, Director of Defense Policy, stated in a briefing at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the same day, "To prevent accidental clashes between the two Koreas and to ease military tensions, our military officially proposes to hold talks between the military authorities of the two Koreas to discuss the establishment of the criteria for the Military Demarcation Line." Director Kim explained, "Recently, as the North Korean military has been constructing tactical roads, installing barbed wire fences, and laying mines near the MDL within the DMZ, some personnel

US Navy Chief: "Historic Moment for South Korea's Nuclear Submarine Push... Will Be Used to Deter China"

US Navy Chief: "Historic Moment for South Korea's Nuclear Submarine Push... Will Be Used to Deter China"

Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations of the United States, commented on South Korea's official move to build nuclear-powered submarines, saying, "It is a natural prediction that these submarines will be used to deter China." On the 14th, during an interview with domestic and foreign journalists at an undisclosed location in Seoul, Admiral Caudle responded to a question about whether he believes South Korea’s nuclear submarines will play a role in deterring China with this statement. Admiral Caudle said, "The United States looks forward to working with its allies to achieve shared objectives related to China, which is a core competitive threat," and added, "I believe South Korea also shares significant concerns about China, and this should be factored into strategic calculations." Previously, President Lee Jaemyung, during the South Korea-U.S. summit on October 29, explained the need to introduce nuclear submarines to U.S. President Donald Trump, mentioning not only North Kor

Defense·Diplomacy

11.16 13:13

"North Korea Deploys Additional 1,500-Ton Frigate to East Coast During South Korea-U.S. Naval Exercise"

"North Korea Deploys Additional 1,500-Ton Frigate to East Coast During South Korea-U.S. Naval Exercise"

It has been reported that North Korea deployed an additional Tuman-class (1,500-ton) frigate to Goseong Port on the east coast, adjacent to South Korea, during the recent South Korea-U.S. Navy joint exercise. On November 14 (local time), NK News, a U.S.-based media outlet specializing in North Korea, reported this based on photos taken by the private satellite company Planet Labs. On October 30, a Tuman-class frigate was spotted entering Goseong Port from a naval base factory in Munchon, and it was moored alongside an existing Amnok-class (1,500-ton) frigate until November 9. NK News stated, "One of these vessels was no longer visible at Goseong Port from November 11, the first day of the South Korea-U.S. Navy joint exercise, suggesting it may have carried out a maritime operation." They further analyzed, "North Korea may have operated these ships to demonstrate that missile launches were being prepared in a scenario where the joint fleet conducted offensive actions." Previously, South

Defense·Diplomacy

11.16 10:08

"South Korea and US to Verify Second Phase of OPCON Transfer Next Year... MRO Cooperation Expands to Combat Ships"

"South Korea and US to Verify Second Phase of OPCON Transfer Next Year... MRO Cooperation Expands to Combat Ships"

Minister of National Defense An Kyu-baek announced on November 14, "South Korea and the United States have agreed to pursue the Full Operational Capability (FOC) verification of the Future Combined Forces Command in 2026." He added, "We will further expand cooperation in shipbuilding and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), broadening our collaboration beyond the current logistics support vessels to include combat ships and aircraft." Minister An made these remarks while releasing the joint statement of the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between South Korea and the United States, stating, "Based on mutual trust, South Korea and the United States will work closely together to respond to the rapidly changing security environment and threats, and to ensure that the alliance develops into a 'future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance' with significant contributions from the defense sector." Minister An and U.S. Secretary of War (Defense) Pete Hegseth prepared this joint

Defense·Diplomacy

11.14 19:01

[Full Text] 57th SCM Joint Statement... Accelerating the Transition of Wartime Operational Control

[Full Text] 57th SCM Joint Statement... Accelerating the Transition of Wartime Operational Control

The Ministry of National Defense and the U.S. Department of War (Department of Defense) announced an 18-point joint statement on November 14, following the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM). Defense Minister An Kyu-baek and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had already agreed on the joint statement at the SCM held in Seoul on November 4, but the announcement was postponed until today after the release of the Joint Fact Sheet (JFS) documenting the contents of the bilateral trade and security package negotiations. The joint statement includes plans to verify the Full Operational Capability (FOC) of the future Combined Forces Command headquarters next year as part of the transition of wartime operational control. It also covers the following agreements: ▲ increasing the national defense budget to 3.5% of GDP ▲ the first-ever maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of a U.S. combat vessel in Korea ▲ and maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The following is the full

Defense·Diplomacy

11.14 19:01

Second Phase of OPCON Transfer to Be Completed Next Year... U.S. Combat Ships to Undergo Maintenance in Korea

Second Phase of OPCON Transfer to Be Completed Next Year... U.S. Combat Ships to Undergo Maintenance in Korea

The transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) between South Korea and the United States is expected to accelerate. The defense ministers of both countries have agreed to complete the second phase of the OPCON transfer process next year. Additionally, the scope of Korea-U.S. cooperation in ship maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) will be expanded from non-combat vessels to include combat ships and aircraft. This signals the full-scale launch of Korea-U.S. cooperation in the shipbuilding and defense sectors. On November 14, Defense Minister Shin Kyubaek announced the 57th Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) joint statement, which included the decision to pursue the Full Operational Capability (FOC) verification for the future Combined Forces Command headquarters in 2026. Previously, Minister Shin and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had already prepared a joint statement during the SCM meeting on November 4, but the announcement was delayed until now due to th

Defense·Diplomacy

11.14 19:00

South Korean and U.S. Navies Conduct Joint Maritime Exercise in East Sea with Participation of George Washington

South Korean and U.S. Navies Conduct Joint Maritime Exercise in East Sea with Participation of George Washington

The Navy announced on November 14 that the South Korean and U.S. navies have been conducting a joint maritime exercise in the East Sea since November 11. This exercise was carried out to strengthen deterrence against North Korea based on the steadfast South Korea-U.S. alliance, as well as to enhance the combined operational capabilities and interoperability of the two navies. The exercise involved seven South Korean naval vessels, including the Aegis destroyers Yulgok Yi I and Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (7,600-ton class), and the destroyers Wang Geon and Gang Gam-chan (4,400-ton class), as well as three aircraft: a Lynx maritime operations helicopter and maritime patrol aircraft (P-3, P-8). The U.S. Navy participated with four vessels, including the aircraft carrier George Washington, the cruiser Robert Smalls, and the Aegis destroyers Milius and Shoup, along with carrier-based aircraft and a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft. The Navy stated, "During the exercise period, the South Korean and U.

Defense·Diplomacy

11.14 12:00

White House: "South Korea Approves Nuclear Submarine Construction... 15% Tariff Cut on Automobiles" (Comprehensive)

White House: "South Korea Approves Nuclear Submarine Construction... 15% Tariff Cut on Automobiles" (Comprehensive)

On November 13 (local time), the White House released a fact sheet stating, "South Korea has approved the construction of an attack nuclear-powered submarine, and we will work closely together, including on fuel procurement solutions." According to the bilateral agreement, the United States will lower itemized tariffs on South Korean automobiles to 15%, while South Korea will increase its defense spending to 3.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP). The fact sheet was finalized about four months after the two countries reached a trade agreement in July and subsequently negotiated the details. 350 Billion Dollar Investment Specified... 15% Tariff Reduction on Automobiles and Other ItemsAccording to the fact sheet announced by the White House, as part of the trade agreement reached between the two countries in July, South Korea will invest 150 billion dollars in shipbuilding and 200 billion dollars in strategic investments. In return, the United States will reduce itemized tariffs by 15

Defense·Diplomacy

11.14 11:45

South Korea and US Reach Broad Agreement on Uranium Enrichment and Reprocessing... Set to Revise Nuclear Cooperation Pact for First Time in 10 Years

South Korea and US Reach Broad Agreement on Uranium Enrichment and Reprocessing... Set to Revise Nuclear Cooperation Pact for First Time in 10 Years

South Korea and the United States are set to revise their "Nuclear Cooperation Agreement" for the first time in ten years since 2015. Although there are still ten years left until the agreement expires, this revision process aims to reflect the agreements reached last month during the Korea-US summit regarding South Korea's uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. The "Joint Fact Sheet" released simultaneously by both countries on the morning of November 14 states, "The United States supports the procedures that will lead to South Korea's civilian uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing for peaceful purposes, within the scope of the Korea-US Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and in compliance with US legal requirements." Wi Seongrak, Director of the National Security Office at the presidential office, responded to questions about the subsequent steps, including the revision of the Korea-US Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, by saying, "We have received broad cons

Defense·Diplomacy

11.14 11:35

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