Articles by Ji Da-gyum
Ji Da-gyum
dagyumji@heraldcorp.com-
Two Koreas race to launch first homegrown military spy satellites
In a high-stakes race, South and North Korea are vying for success in launching their first homegrown military spy satellites, backed respectively by the United States and Russia, as a pivotal initiative aimed at enhancing their military capabilities. The South Korean military is set to launch its domestically-developed reconnaissance satellite on Nov. 30 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, South Korea’s new Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said Friday during his meeting with
Defense Nov. 5, 2023
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S. Korean military detects signs of NK supplying ballistic missiles to Russia
The South Korean military on Thursday said it has detected indications that North Korea has delivered short-range ballistic missiles, in addition to artillery shells and rockets, to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The South Korean military disclosed that North Korea is suspected of supplying a variety of weapons and equipment to Russia by holding a closed-door briefing on arms trade and military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, marking the first such instance since the outbr
Defense Nov. 2, 2023
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NK closes embassy in Spain after shutting down 2 missions in Africa
North Korea has formally shuttered its embassy in Spain, marking its first such confirmed instance in Europe. The closure comes in the wake of North Korea's recent shutdowns of two of its diplomatic missions in Africa, which had reportedly been a source of illicitly generated hard currency for the Kim Jong-un regime. The North Korean Embassy in Madrid informed its closure to the Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain on Oct. 26, according to a diplomatic document released later on the part
North Korea Nov. 1, 2023
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US needs 'strategic clarity' on North Korea deterrence: report
The United States should reconsider its policy of strategic ambiguity and shift toward one of strategic clarity in response to North Korea's escalating nuclear threats, one South Korean think tank said in a joint report with a US think tank in a press briefing Monday. The Seoul-based Asan Institute for Policy Studies and the RAND Corporation, headquartered in Santa Monica, California, emphasized what they say is the need for the two allies to adapt their current nuclear policies and measure
Defense Oct. 30, 2023
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4 North Koreans cross East Sea maritime border in first since 2019
A group of unidentified North Koreans crossed the inter-Korean maritime border in a boat in the East Sea on Tuesday morning, marking the first case since 2019. The four North Koreans traveled across the inter-Korean border in a small wooden vessel and initially expressed their intent to defect to South Korea when they were discovered by South Korea's Coast Guard, government sources told The Korea Herald. The initial assessment by the South Korean government suggests that the four individual
North Korea Oct. 24, 2023
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4 North Koreans cross maritime border, say want to defect
A group of four unidentified North Koreans crossed the inter-Korean maritime border in the East Sea on Tuesday, government sources confirmed to The Korea Herald. The South Korean military, in cooperation with the Coast Guard, has secured the four North Koreans in the waters off the city of Sokcho, Gangwon Province. The four North Koreans traveled across the border on a boat and were discovered by South Korea's Coast Guard. The four North Koreans were transferred to a Korean vessel, which wa
North Korea Oct. 24, 2023
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S. Korea, US, Japan stage first-ever aerial exercise in face of NK threats
South Korea, the United States and Japan joined forces for an unprecedented aerial exercise south of the Korean Peninsula on Sunday, with the goal of bolstering their collective response capabilities against escalating missile and nuclear threats from North Korea. The US Air Force's nuclear-capable B-52 heavy bomber -- which boasts the capability to carry both nuclear and precision-guided conventional munitions with worldwide precision navigation --- conducted a formation flight while under
Defense Oct. 22, 2023
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[From the Scene] 'If we are needed, we will be here'
By Ji Da-gyum and Joint Press Corps CHEONGJU AIR BASE, North Chungcheong Province — The United States Air Force's nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bomber on Tuesday made its first-ever landing at a South Korean air base. The touchdown of the long-range heavy bomber underscores the US' unwavering commitment to the defense of its treaty ally, amid escalating missile and nuclear threats posed by North Korea, according to the US Air Force. "It is part of our demonstration to the R
Defense Oct. 19, 2023
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Immediate global efforts needed to curb NK’s nuclear ambition: Seoul official
South Korea's vice defense chief called for immediate international cooperation to curb North Korea's nuclear weapon development, emphasizing that insufficient efforts could lead to a catastrophic outcome. "North Korea's nuclear capabilities are rapidly advancing, and without immediate efforts from the international community to prevent it, this has the potential to turn into a catastrophe for the international community," Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul said Wednes
Defense Oct. 18, 2023
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Hamas weapons, tactics resemble those of NK: JCS
The South Korean military has assessed that the fighting doctrine and tactics utilized by Hamas might be linked to North Korea, citing their resemblance in its analysis of the battlefield tactics employed by the Palestinian militant group during last weekend's attack on Israel. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff on Tuesday presented its interim evaluation of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which was initiated by Hamas' surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. "Our asse
Defense Oct. 17, 2023
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S.Korea's largest-ever defense expo to feature KF-21
SEONGNAM, Gyeonggi Province — South Korea's premier aerospace and defense exhibition, aimed at showcasing the country's indigenously developed weaponry and military prowess, including the first public flight of the homegrown KF-21 fighter jet, is set to commence on Tuesday in its largest-scale edition yet. The Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition this year will showcase the US Air Force's nuclear-capable strategic bomber B-52H and the world's mo
Defense Oct. 16, 2023
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Military aircraft carrying S. Koreans leaves Israel
A South Korean military aircraft is en route to safely bring 163 nationals back home from Israel amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas, Seoul said Saturday. The South Korean Air Force's KC-330 Cygnus transport aircraft is scheduled to touch down at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on Saturday evening, as part of its mission to evacuate South Korean citizens stranded in Israel, according to the joint announcement by the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry. Recognizi
Foreign Affairs Oct. 14, 2023
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Pyongyang denies allegations of Hamas using North Korean weapons
North Korea on Friday denied the allegations that the Palestinian militant group Hamas used weapons produced by the country for an unprecedented attack on Israel. North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency, primarily targeting international audiences, published an article on the war titled "The current crisis in the Middle East portends a greater strategic setback for the United States." The statement, authored by Ri Kwang-song, a commentator on international affairs, notably a
North Korea Oct. 13, 2023
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S. Korea confirms China’s forced reparation of numerous N. Koreans
South Korea's Unification Ministry on Friday officially confirmed China has resumed the forced repatriation of North Koreans following the opening of its border last month. The ministry called for an immediate halt to this practice, which breaches international human rights law. "It appears to be the fact that a significant number of North Koreans have been repatriated from three provinces in Northeast China," Koo Byung-sam, the Unification Ministry spokesperson, said during a tel
North Korea Oct. 13, 2023
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S. Korea warns of potential NK surprise attacks using Hamas tactics
The South Korean military is preparing for a scenario in which North Korea launches surprise attacks employing tactics similar to those recently used by the Hamas militant group in executing multifront ambushes against Israel. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff underscored the significance of learning a lesson from Hamas' lightning-quick, multipronged assault on Israel on Saturday and fortifying military readiness during the National Assembly's annual audit on Tuesday. Seoul'
Defense Oct. 11, 2023
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