Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Seoul's defense minister discusses defense cooperation with Chinese envoy

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back met with Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing to discuss bilateral cooperation in the defense sector and other issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday.

2026-04-15

Defense minister urges military to maintain its readiness amid energy concerns due to Middle East crisis

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Tuesday called on the military to maintain its readiness by thoroughly securing and managing its oil supply amid the Middle East crisis, calling oil an “axis of combat power.”

2026-04-07

Colby recalls 'excellent' talks with Seoul officials on alliance modernization, collective defense

U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby has recounted his recent trip to Seoul, noting that he had "excellent" meetings with South Korean officials to discuss joint efforts to "modernize" the bilateral alliance.

2026-02-11

Korean and Sweden defense chiefs hold first meeting in 14 years and discuss defense, arms cooperation

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back held talks with his Swedish counterpart in Stockholm on Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the defense sector and arms industry, the Defense Ministry said.

2025-11-28

Hegseth says Pentagon will support 'model ally' South Korea's drive for nuclear-powered submarines

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored Tuesday in Seoul that the Pentagon will work with relevant agencies to support U.S. President Donald Trump's pledge to help South Korea build nuclear-powered submarines.

2025-11-04

South Korean, U.S. defense chiefs visit JSA in symbolic show of allied solidarity

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paid a joint visit to the Joint Security Area (JSA) within the heavily fortified demilitarized zone (DMZ) on Monday.

2025-11-03

Defense chief says border area training should continue despite South Korea's peace efforts

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back opposed the idea of South Korea's unilateral suspension of military training near the tense inter-Korean border, citing the need to maintain readiness even when Seoul seeks to mend frayed ties with North Korea.

2025-10-01

Defense chiefs of South Korea, Japan to hold talks in Seoul on Monday

The defense chiefs of South Korea and Japan are set to hold talks in Seoul on Monday afternoon, the South's Defense Ministry said, on the sidelines of the first official visit to the country by a Japanese defense minister in 10 years.

2025-09-08

Defense chief unveils plan to foster drone capabilities across military

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Thursday unveiled a plan to strengthen drone and anti-drone capabilities across the military to better utilize the increasingly effective but low-cost combat equipment in modern warfare.

2025-09-04

Korea, U.S. defense chiefs agree on 'modernization of alliance' in first phone call

In their first phone call since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung administration, the defense ministers of Korea and the United States agreed to “consult on the mutually beneficial modernization of the alliance.

2025-07-31