U.S. sanctions three state-sponsored North Korean hacking groups
Washington: The United States has sanctioned three entities it accused of conducting cyberattacks on behalf of the North Korean government to generate revenue for the regime’s nuclear and missile programs. The Department of the Treasury said the new measures target Lazarus Group, Bluenoroff, and Andariel, all of which are controlled by the Reconnaissance General Bureau, […]
Moon, Trump to hold summit in New York this month
Seoul: South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump will hold summit talks in New York late this month on the sidelines of a U.N. session, Cheong Wa Dae announced Friday. The allies have agreed to hold the meeting to coincide with Moon’s visit to the U.S. city for the 74th General Assembly […]
US CENTCOM commander calls on COAS, discusses Kashmir, Afghanistan situation
By Nasir Aijaz AsiaN Correspondent Islamabad: The commander of the United States Central Command (US CENTCOM), General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr, on Monday called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the Pakistan Army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi. Gen. McKenzie, who is in Pakistan since September 7, met with Gen. Bajwa […]
South Korea considering naming non-diplomat official to lead defense cost negotiations with U.S.: sources
Seoul: The government is considering naming a non-diplomat official, such as a financial technocrat, to head negotiations with the U.S. on sharing the cost for the upkeep of American troops, sources said Friday. That would mark a departure from the tradition that officials from either the foreign or defense ministries have led the Special Measures […]
U.S. says it respects South Korea’s decision to expedite return of bases
Washington: The United States respects South Korea’s decision to seek an early return of more than two dozen American military bases in the country and will work with its ally to get the bases returned “as expeditiously as possible,” U.S. Forces Korea said Tuesday. South Korea’s presidential office Cheong Wa Dae announced the decision last […]
Esper raises concerns over S. Korea’s decision to end intel-sharing pact with Japan
Seoul: U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper voiced concerns Friday over South Korea’s decision to terminate the intelligence-sharing pact with Japan when he spoke by phone with Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, a ministry official said. “Our minister explained to Esper detailed backgrounds that caused South Korea to make such a decision, including Japan’s insincere responses […]
U.S. wants to begin defense cost-sharing talks with South Korea as early as possible: official
Seoul: The United States wants to launch a new round of negotiations with South Korea about sharing the cost for the upkeep of American troops here as early as possible, a foreign ministry official said. Timothy Betts, the top U.S. negotiator for defense cost-sharing talks, on Tuesday proposed a specific date when he held […]
Bahrain first Arab country to join Gulf maritime coalition
Manama: Bahrain, host to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has become the first Arab and Gulf country to announce officially that it would join a U.S.-led maritime coalition “to ensure freedom of navigation in the Gulf.” King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Sunday confirmed during a meeting with visiting General Kenneth F. McKenzie, […]
South Korean, U.S. diplomats to meet in Seoul ahead of negotiations on defense cost
Seoul: South Korean and U.S. diplomats will hold talks in Seoul this week over the allies’ envisioned negotiations on the sharing of the cost for the upkeep of American troops here, a diplomatic source said Sunday. Chang Won-sam at Seoul’s foreign ministry and his U.S. counterpart, Timothy Betts, plan to meet Tuesday. They were […]
Mongolia, U.S. agree to enhance defense cooperation
Ulaanbaatar: United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Mongolia’s Minister of Defense Nyamaagiin Enkhbold have discussed the participation of Mongolia in peacekeeping operations and defense cooperation between Mongolia and the U.S., the official state agency has said. The Mongolian side noted that the US is a country of top priority in terms of […]