'Washington is moving the goalposts': South Korea, U.S. clash over tougher wartime command transfer standards Washington’s revised readiness benchmarks have stalled Seoul’s push to complete operational control verification, raising prospects for presidential intervention. 2026.10.15
Seoul says Pyongyang rattled by mine findings South Korea's defense minister said North Korea appeared flustered after Seoul blamed it for a DMZ mine blast and cleared additional mines. 2026.10.7
Chinese-made connected cars enter key Korean military bases as security concerns grow Government data shows Chinese-made connected vehicles have accessed major military facilities despite concerns over real-time location data collection and sharing. 2026.10.7
Military effectively concludes that North Korean mine caused series of blasts in DMZ The government is expected to consider a stronger response, such as expanding operations to detect and remove North Korean mines, if the final investigation concludes that the North's troops had laid the mine. 2026.9.29
An officer and a gentleman Newly appointed Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul, left, greets Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, during his inauguration ceremony in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 22. 2026.9.22
Defense minister heads to Croatia for landmark Chunmoo rocket launcher export deal Ahn Gyu-back will meet Croatian leaders and attend the signing of South Korea’s first arms export contract with Croatia. 2026.9.9
Korea, UN Development Programme ink statement of intent on mine clearance cooperation The agreement is the first step toward a formal partnership, with the Defense Ministry contributing through its expertise and experience. 2026.9.9
Outgoing defense minister feels ‘heavyhearted’ over ‘achievements, shortcomings’ after reshuffle Ahn Gyu-back, the first defense chief without military officer pedigree, is leaving the Cabinet with President Lee Jae Myung's shake-up. 2026.8.31
Lee turns to a general for defense minister a year after nonofficer experiment The pivot to Ret. Gen. Kang Shin-chul comes as the Blue House gears up for contentious drives to reclaim Opcon and merge the military academies. 2026.8.30
North Korea has 80 to 120 nuclear weapons, 'somewhat different' to Trump's 57: Defense minister In a parliamentary hearing, Ahn Gyu-back cited a higher number while affirming Seoul's stance on not recognizing Pyongyang as a nuclear state. 2026.8.20
![국방부-유엔개발계획, 지뢰대응활동 협력 의향서 체결 (서울=연합뉴스) 지난 8일 더그랜드롯데 서울에서 열린 지뢰대응활동 협력 의향서 체결식에서 관계자들이 기념 촬영하고 있다. 2026.9.9 [국방부 제공. 재판매 및 DB 금지] photo@yna.co.kr/2026-09-09 09:18:42/](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12867597.jpg?imageId=12867597&panox=0.00&panoy=0.00&panow=98.87&panoh=100.00&heightx=0.00&heighty=0.00&heightw=98.87&heighth=100.00&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
