Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Military puts Cheongung-II missile defense system, KF-21 front and center in demonstration

South Korea's military offered a rare look inside two of its flagship defense programs, demonstrating the Cheongung-II surface-to-air missile system that intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles in combat and opening its KF-21 fighter jet assembly.

2026-05-14

Combat-proven missile interceptor deal drives LIG’s R&D push in UAE

LIG D&A, whose missile interceptor systems drew global attention after being used by the UAE during the Iran conflict, plans to establish an R&D center and maintenance facilities in the Gulf nation within the year.

2026-05-06

Anti-Korean, far-right Japanese magazine urges Tokyo to learn from Seoul's defense industry growth

A Japanese conservative monthly known for anti-Korean coverage is now telling its readers to “learn from South Korea,” holding up South Korea’s defense industry as a model for Japan’s weapons export push.

2026-05-04

Gulf states eye Korea's Cheongung-II to shore up depleted air defense systems

Gulf states are widening their search for suppliers to include countries such as Korea and Ukraine to shore up their depleted air defense systems in the wake of strikes by Iran, according to a recent report.

2026-04-13

Korean interceptor system posts 96% success rate in UAE defense against Iranian strike

Korea’s medium-range surface-to-air missile Cheongung-II, deployed by the United Arab Emirates against Iranian missiles, made a successful battlefield debut by intercepting about 96 percent of designated targets.

2026-03-06

Cheongung air defense system upgraded to intercept ballistic missiles

South Korea has successfully upgraded its Cheongung-I air defense system into the Cheongung-II system that is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles as well as aircraft, the state arms procurement agency said Monday.

2025-07-28

LIG Nex1 eyes $3.7 billion investment, exports to 30 countries by 2030

Korean defense firm LIG Nex1 on Monday unveiled a plan to invest 5 trillion won ($3.7 billion) and export its products to 30 countries by 2030, backed by an expanded antimissile and unmanned weapons systems lineup.

2024-09-24

Iraq buys LIG Nex1's Cheongung-II missiles for $2.8 billion

LIG Nex1, a Korean defense company, has won a 3.7 trillion won ($2.78 billion) contract with Iraq to export its Cheongung-II missile defense system.

2024-09-20

Visits by Iraqi officials fuel talk of impending helicopter, missile sales

Iraqi military officials visited Korea last week to inspect a domestically developed helicopter, fueling speculation that the country will purchase aircraft.

2024-03-13

Saudi Arabia buys Korea's Cheongung-II missiles for $3.2 billion

Korea will export 10 Cheongung-II missile defense systems to Saudi Arabia under a $3.2-billion deal announced by Seoul’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday evening.

2024-02-06