Military

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  S. Korea joins arms race in Northeast Asia to develop hypersonic missiles SEOUL -- Satisfied with its technological advance in missile capabilities and guided systems, South Korea has expressed its desire to join an arms race among major powers such as the United States, China and Russia in developing hypersonic missiles, which are too fast to be intercepted by any current missile defense system. The two Koreas have been locked in a race to develop and produce various missiles, with North Korea taking the upper hand in extending the range of missiles. S 2020-08-06
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  Daewoo shipbuilder partners with college research team to develop cybersecurity for smart warships. SEOUL -- Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) joined hands with a research team from Korea Univesity to develop cybersecurity technologies for next-generation smart warships. Cybersecurity protects networks connected to high-tech vessels in operation from cyberattacks. Yoon In-sang in charge of DSME's special ship design said that advanced cybersecurity technologies would be applied to protect smart warships against cyberattacks. Cybersecurity technology is esse 2020-07-17
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  Home-made transmissions earn chance of being used for K2 tanks SEOUL -- Home-made transmissions can be used for South Korea's main battle tank after a defense ministry-controlled state body in charge of arms acquisition unveiled revised standards on durability defects, paving the way for Hyundai Rotem to go ahead with the third mass-production of K2 Black Panther tanks this year. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said that it would apply revised standards fairly to the screening of transmissions developed by a South Kore 2020-07-16
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  ​S. Korea's defense agency to promote research of non-weapon core technologies SEOUL -- South Korea's state body controlled by the Defense Ministry has revised work guidelines to promote the development of non-weapon core technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing through the more active participation of academic and industrial sectors participate in short and long term defense projects. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement that the research and development of defense products and technologies 2020-07-13
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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 attention as it was 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 lifted a ban 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 System (ATCIS), or C41, consists of 201 servers, 4,022 terminals, 458 secur 2020-06-29
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  S. Korea wants purchase of more spy planes to beef up early warning system 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 committee on the acquisition of military equipment earmarked some 1.59 trillion won ($1.32 billion) on 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 company will be selected within this year 2020-05-29