2 South Koreans seized by Houthi rebels in Red Sea
Seoul: Houthi rebels in Yemen seized three boats carrying two South Koreans and 14 others in the Red Sea this week, and all of them have been confirmed to be safe, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Tuesday. The Iran-linked militia captured them and the three vessels — two tugboats and a drilling rig — at 3:50 […]
South Korea, U.S. abruptly cut short defense cost-sharing talks
Seoul: South Korea and the United States abruptly cut short their defense cost-sharing talks Tuesday, with the U.S. chief negotiator accusing Seoul of making proposals falling short of a “fair and equitable burden sharing.” The abrupt ending underlined wide differences between the two sides after Washington’s reported demand for a fivefold increase in Seoul’s sharing […]
Pakistan conducts ‘Training Launch’ of Ballistic Missile
By Nasir Aijaz AsiaN Representative Islamabad: Pakistan successfully conducted the “training launch” of Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile (SSBM) named ‘Shaheen-1’, Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Monday. The head of the military’s media wing, in a tweet, said that the missile is “capable of delivering all types of warheads […]
South Korea, U.S. decide to postpone upcoming joint air exercises for diplomacy
Bangkok: South Korea and the United States decided to put off their wintertime combined air exercises to support diplomacy with North Korea, the two sides said Sunday, with U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper urging Pyongyang to reciprocate the goodwill by returning to nuclear talks. Esper and South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo announced the surprise […]
Esper says U.S. will seek Japan’s efforts to resolve GSOMIA issue: Cheong Wa Dae
Seoul: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper told South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday he will try to persuade Japan to “smoothly” resolve the dispute over the two neighbors’ military information-sharing arrangement, according to the presidential office. During a 50-minute meeting with Esper at Cheong Wa Dae, Moon explained his government’s basic position that it’s […]
North Korea says it sent ultimatum to South Korea over Mount Kumgang project
Seoul: North Korea sent an ultimatum to South Korea earlier this week that it will unilaterally remove the South-built facilities from its Mount Kumgang resort unless Seoul tears them down on its own, Pyongyang’s official news agency reported Friday. The North’s tough stance suggests little room for inter-Korean negotiations that South Korea has sought in […]
Pentagon chief calls for renewal of Seoul-Tokyo intel-sharing pact
Seoul: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper urged South Korea and Japan on Friday to work together to renew their expiring military information-sharing pact, saying its termination will only benefit North Korea and China. Esper made the call during a joint press conference with South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo after holding their annual Security Consultative […]
U.S. defense secretary open to altering military activity in South Korea
Washington: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that he is open to altering military activity in South Korea if it helps diplomatic efforts to denuclearize North Korea. Esper made the remark to reporters flying with him to Seoul, where he is due to hold annual defense talks with Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo. “We will adjust […]
Decisive twelve months ahead for Middle East, Gulf
Abu Dhabi: A senior official from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has warned that the Middle and the Gulf have reached “critical junctures in major conflicts and challenges” across it. However, reviewing regional developments at the sixth annual Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate Dr. Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, expressed […]
South Korea to launch new naval frigate
Seoul: South Korea was to launch a new frigate on Monday featuring advanced sonar and power systems to boost anti-submarine capabilities in coastal operations, the Navy said. The launch ceremony for the 2,800-ton FGG-II Seoul will take place later in the day at Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.’s shipyard in the southeastern port city of Ulsan, […]