Military

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  Appeals committee rejects transgender soldier's request for military service SEOUL -- A military appeals committee rejected a request by Byun Hee-soo, a 22-year-old transgender staff sergeant, for her undisrupted military service as a tank pilot at a front-line camp, ruling an earlier decision to discharge the soldier was made legitimately. Byun has expressed a desire to keep serving in the military, but it's not known now whether the soldier will file administration litigation. Byung's legal fight has attracted widespread social attent 2020-07-03
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  Military officially allows soldiers to freely use smartphones at barracks after work hours SEOUL -- South Korean soldiers can freely use smartphones at barracks after work hours after a 15-month test period that began in April 2019. Previously, only officers used smartphones while enlisted soldiers were allowed to use payphones if they wish to contact relatives or friends. The Defense Ministry said that from July 1, conscripted soldiers can use smartphones from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends. The ministry 2020-07-01
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  Advanced command and control system deployed at front-line military camp SEOUL -- To cope with sudden cross-border strikes, commanders at South Korea's front-line military camps can make a quick decision and share real-time information with nearby units and make a fast decision for an optimal data-based attack recommended by an advanced command and control system that improved the operational performance of artillery firepower. The upgraded Army Tactical Command Information 2020-06-29
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  S. Korea wants purchase of more spy planes to beef up early warning system A file picture shows a U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance plane in the air. SEOUL -- South Korea will bolster intelligence capabilities by purchasing more spy planes or upgrading surveillance capabilities of those in service. South Korea's aerial early warning system is based mainly on E-737s, RQ-4 Global Hawks and RC-800s. To reduce its dependence on U.S. intelligence, South Korean troops want advanced surveillance equipment. A high-level screening 2020-06-26
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  Military project to develop mini Aegis destroyer made official SEOUL -- A military project to develop South Korea's next-generation "mini Aegis" destroyer was made official after a state body controlled by the Defense Ministry issued a bid notice for the basic design of the stealthy warship to be equipped with a combat system developed with pure domestic technology. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), a state body controlled by the Defense Ministry, said on Friday that a com 2020-05-29
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  Daewoo shipyard unveils electric propulsion system for next-generation destroyers This file image shows an electrically driven Zoomwalt-class U.S. destroyer. SEOUL -- An independent electric-drive propulsion technology for South Korea's next-generation destroyers has been unveiled by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. The shipbuilder will begin basic design this year on a system similar to that used by the Zumwalt-class U.S. destroyer installed with turbo-generators. Zumwalt is the first US Naval surface combatant to feature 2020-05-07
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  S. Korea's low-cost guided multiple launch rocket system wins U.S. approval SEOUL -- Poniard, a low-cost multiple launch rocket system with guided rockets developed by South Korea to counter North Korea's fast boat swarm attacks, has passed an evaluation test by the Pentagon. It's South Korea's first home-made guided weapon to be available for sale in the U.S. arms market. The system, known as Bigung in Korean, passed a flight test in October last year under observation by a Pentagon evaluation team, the Defense Acquisition P 2020-04-07
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  S. Korea installs new submarine monitoring system at busy ports SEOUL -- An improved port monitoring system for the early detection of approaching submarines has been developed and installed at major ports in South Korea. Key components were localized to ensure convenient and stable operation and it's linked to a military communications system for real-time surveillance. Effective monitoring has become increasingly difficult as the noise of modern submarines has declined and the volume of sea traffic has increased. South 2020-04-01
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  S&T Motiv develops new rifle barrel and heat cover using patented steel alloys SEOUL -- S&T Motiv, a leading firearms manufacturer in South Korea, has unveiled new rifle barrel and heat cover using patented steel alloys that improved corrosion resistance and durability by uniformly increasing hardness. Gunbarrel is rapidly worn during high-speed shooting. Barrel makers work best with specific steel alloys that include types having varying amounts of chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, nickel and manganese. New materials include metal 2020-03-25
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  [Coronavirus] S. Korea, U.S. postpones combined exercises over coronavirus concerns: Yonhap SEOUL -- South Korea and the United States decided to postpone their springtime joint military exercises over growing concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus, their combined command said Thursday. The two sides had initially planned to stage their computer-simulated combined command post training in March but decided to put it off "until further notice" in light of Seoul's decision to raise its alert rating to "severe," the highest leve 2020-02-27
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  S. Korea to develop 11 small satellites to monitor Korean peninsula SEOUL -- South Korea, a latecomer in the space industry, will embark on the development of 11 small satellites that would be placed into orbit to monitor the entire Korean peninsula, in line with a state program to launch a full three-stage indigenous rocket into space in 2021. A total of 213.3 billion won ($179.8 million) will be spent over eight years from April this year until 2027 to develop a cluster of 11 small satellites weighin 2020-02-11
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  S&T Motiv pushes for development of next-generation rifles SEOUL -- S&T Motiv, a firearms and core auto parts manufacturer in South Korea, partnered with Poongsan, a domestic ammo company, for the development of a next-generation assault rifle with increased accuracy and destructive power over a long effective range to cope with the enhance performance of bulletproof clothing. S&T Motiv, the producer of K2 rifles used widely for South Korean troops, said it would complete the development of the new rifle i 2020-02-10
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  Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to launch pilot project to provide robotic prosthetic legs SEOUL -- Selected veterans and others who lost their legs on official duty will be given smart robotic prosthetic legs which are lighter and make users feel more natural than existing products. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA), a government body that handles veterans, said in a statement that it would launch a pilot project this year to provide smart robotic prosthetic legs for veterans and non-combatants who 2020-02-04
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  S. Korea forms high-altitude reconnaissance squadron with RQ-4 Global Hawks A file picture shows a U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance plane in the air. SEOUL -- South Korea has set up a high-altitude reconnaissance squadron with RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles to support ground troop actions by scanning and tracking the movement of enemy missiles and troops movements. The creation of South Korea's Global Hawk squadron was confirmed on Friday at a meeting of military officials, chaired by Defense Minister Jeong Kyeo 2020-01-31
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  S. Korea embarks on turbofan engine development for high-performance UAVs UAV operated by U.S. military SEOUL -- South Korea will develop turbofan engines to be installed in high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles by 2025. The turbofan engine is designed to increase thrust by adding another turbine to the rear of the turbojet engine's turbine. Benefits include long-distance flights, saving fuel and reducing emissions noise. Turbofan engines are essential for the localization of high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles ( 2020-01-30
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  State research body showcases ​prototype anti-drone laser weapon SEOUL -- South Korea's defense technology research body has showcased the prototype of an anti-drone laser weapon that can track and neutralize unwelcome flying devices. In the presence of President Moon Jae-in, the laser weapon demonstration was carried out by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) Tuesday at combined military headquarters in Gyeryongdae some 150 kilometers (92 miles) south of Seoul, according to pool reports. The system irr 2020-01-22
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  S. Korean detroyer expands operational areas from Gulf of Aden to Strait of Hormuz: Yonhap SEOUL -- South Korea will dispatch troops to the Strait of Hormuz by expanding operational areas of its anti-piracy unit deployed nearby to help protect its vessels passing through the strategic waterway, the defense ministry announced Tuesday. The forces, however, will not join a U.S.-led coalition, but conduct independent operations, the ministry said, a move seen as reflecting Seoul's consideration of relations with Tehran and Washington's request for cont 2020-01-21
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  First RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance plane delivered to S. Korea SEOUL -- A RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance plane purchased by South Korea landed at an airbase to support ground troop actions by scanning and tracking the movement of enemy missile and troops movements. Air force officials believe RQ-4s will enhance South Korea's operational capabilities as they will work together with advanced stealth jets. It was the first of Northrop Grumman's four RQ-4Bs South Korea has agreed to purchase under a 2014 2019-12-23
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  Hanwha Systems embarks on development of automatic terrain following technology SEOUL -- With no technical support from U.S. companies, the developers of South Korea's home-made KF-X fighter jet will push ahead with the independent development of crucial software that allows high-tech aircraft to make detection by enemy radar more difficult by flying low and safe along the terrain. Hanwha Systems, a provider of defense products and technologies, signed a deal with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), a state research body in 2019-12-12
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  Daewoo shipyard works on design upgrade of submarine pressure hull SEOUL -- In a project aimed at securing original technology, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), a key player in South Korea's attack submarine program, has embarked on the sophistication of design for the pressure hull, a structure that withstands external water pressure and requires a high degree of precision. DSME said that researchers from the shipbuilder, Posco and Korean Register (KR) would join forces to acquire elevated technology for press 2019-12-11