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S. Korea, U.S. kick off annual key springtime military exercise
South Korea and the United States kicked off a key annual joint springtime military exercise Monday, with the number of planned field training drills cut in half compared with last year. The allies launched the Freedom Shield exercise, which will run through March 19, aimed at strengthening their combined defense posture. This year's FS exercise will be focused on assessing conditions to achieve the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul. South Korea has been seeking to
March 9, 2026 -
Speculation grows over possible USFK redeployment to Middle East
Recent military movements in South Korea are raising questions over whether some United States Forces Korea assets could be redeployed to the Middle East as tensions between Washington and Tehran intensify. The speculation comes as the conflict in the Middle East appears increasingly likely to drag on, potentially increasing demand for US military assets and prompting the Pentagon to draw on forces stationed overseas. Such a scenario carries particular weight in Seoul. The “strategic flexibility
March 8, 2026 -
US transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation
US military transport aircraft have been spotted arriving at and departing from a US air base in South Korea over the past week, raising speculation that the US Forces Korea may be deploying some of its assets to the Middle East amid the escalating conflict involving Iran. According to the real-time flight tracking website Flightradar24, C-5 and C-17 US transport aircraft have landed at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, since late last month and departed between Wednesday and Saturday
March 8, 2026 -
US Patriot missile batteries relocated to Osan Air Base amid speculation about deployment to Middle East
US troops stationed in South Korea have relocated its Patriot missile defense batteries to Osan Air Base from other US bases, sources said Friday, amid speculation that the US Forces Korea could deploy part of its assets to the Middle East amid the escalating Iran conflict. Additional Patriot missile batteries have been detected in the air base in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul, where such missile systems have been already deployed, according to the sources. C-5 and C-17 US trans
March 6, 2026 -
UAE seeks early delivery of South Korea’s Cheongung-II interceptor missiles
The United Arab Emirates has asked South Korea to expedite delivery of its Cheongung-II interceptor missile system, a defense industry insider said Friday, as Gulf states move to strengthen air defenses following the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The source, who requested anonymity, told The Korea Herald that the UAE had requested earlier delivery of Cheongung-II batteries and interceptor missiles than originally stipulated in the contract. “The UAE’s request
March 6, 2026 -
Seoul cautious on potential redeployment of USFK assets amid Iran strikes
Seoul was cautious Thursday on news reports that South Korea and Washington are discussing the potential redeployment of some United States Forces Korea assets, as tensions escalate in the Middle East. A Cheong Wa Dae official, declining to be named, said Thursday, "It would not be appropriate for our government to comment on the operational employment of USFK." The official added, "The mission of USFK is to maintain a strong combined defense posture with South Korean forces and contribute to pe
March 5, 2026 -
Gov't considering chartered, military planes to bring home S. Koreans in Middle East
South Korea is considering sending chartered planes or military aircraft to bring back its nationals stranded in the Middle East due to the conflict between the United States and Iran, a senior government official said Wednesday. Sending planes and additional pan-government rapid response teams to the region are among the many options the government is weighing to support their return home, Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina said in a press briefing following an interagency meeting on governm
March 4, 2026 -
Pilot error behind midair collision of two S. Korean F-16s, Air Force says
Last month's crash of a fighter jet was the result of a rare midair collision caused by human error, the Air Force said Wednesday. The collision, involving two F-16C aircraft, occurred during a night training exercise on Feb. 25 caused by a pilot’s misjudgment while wearing night vision goggles, according to the Air Force. One of the aircraft later crashed in a mountainous area in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. According to the Air Force, the accident occurred when the external fuel tank mo
March 4, 2026 -
USFK focused on Korea, Pentagon official says amid Middle East redeployment speculation
United States Forces Korea remains focused on the Korean Peninsula, a US Department of Defense official said Tuesday, amid growing speculation that Washington could draw on its overseas assets for potential contingencies in the Middle East involving Iran. “United States Forces Korea remains focused on maintaining a strong, ready and combat-credible force posture on the Korean Peninsula,” a Department of Defense official said on background in response to an email inquiry from The Korea Herald. Th
March 4, 2026 -
Drone Command to acquire more reconnaissance drones
The Drone Operations Command is moving to introduce additional small reconnaissance drones — of the same model reportedly used under the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration to fly over Pyongyang — according to a report submitted to a lawmaker on Tuesday. The plan is drawing criticism, as the model has faced persistent concerns over its specifications and what critics describe as insufficient efforts to address performance shortcomings. According to a report submitted to Rep. Boo Seung-chan of th
March 3, 2026 -
Defense chief orders inspection of dispatched troops' safety following US strikes in Iran
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Saturday ordered an "immediate" inspection of the safety of South Korean troops dispatched overseas, following reports of US-Israel strikes against Iran, his office said. According to the ministry, Ahn instructed the defense ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to prioritize the safety of troops dispatched to Lebanon and Somalia when conducting missions. The ministry's statement comes as the United States and Israel launched preemptive strikes Saturday morning
Feb. 28, 2026 -
Why are Seoul, Washington airing out rare military rifts?
Recent weeks have exposed an unusual pattern within the South Korea-United States alliance: Disagreements that were once managed quietly behind closed doors are increasingly surfacing in public. The allies continue to reaffirm their shared commitment to deterring North Korea’s advancing nuclear threat. Yet overlapping episodes — from the Freedom Shield exercise to aerial operations over the West Sea — reveal a deeper divergence over how the alliance should be used in a shifting security environm
Feb. 27, 2026 -
Here's how Army plans to deploy AI, drones to breach enemy minefields
YANGPYEONG, Gyeonggi Province — Once reconnaissance drones transmitted live footage of suspected enemy positions — identifying troops and possible landmines ahead — a column of armored vehicles began advancing toward hostile terrain. Uncrewed systems moved first. Four-legged robotic platforms and explosive-ordnance disposal robots scanned the ground for hidden threats, while drones hovered overhead maintaining surveillance. Behind them, an armored vehicle equipped with an artificial intelligence
Feb. 27, 2026 -
Korea, UAE agree to pursue $65b in joint projects: Cheong Wa Dae
South Korea and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to pursue more than $65 billion in joint cooperation projects, including over $35 billion in defense industry initiatives, Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday. Cheong Wa Dae made the announcement after Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, returned from his trip to the UAE on Wednesday as presidential special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, during which he led an interagency government delegation. Kang met Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubar
Feb. 26, 2026 -
Fighter jet crashes in Yeongju; pilot makes emergency escape
An F-16C fighter jet crashed near Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province on Wednesday, but the pilot safely ejected, the Air Force said. The aircraft, assigned to Chungju Air Base, went down in a mountainous area near Yeongju at about 7:31 p.m. during a nighttime training exercise, according to the Air Force. "The pilot ejected safely and has been confirmed unharmed, and no civilian damage has been reported at this time," the Air Force said in a text message to reporters. The Air Force said it has
Feb. 25, 2026