DefenceTalkChina said Tuesday it would “resolutely” defend its security interests as the US began deploying the THAAD missile-defence system in South Korea that Beijing fears will undermine its own military capabilities. “We are firmly opposed to the deployment of THAAD in the Republic of Korea by the US and the ROK,” foreign ministry spokesman Geng […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-vows-resolute-measures-after-thaad-deployment-69407/

DefenceTalkThe US military has begun deploying an anti-ballistic missile defense system to South Korea, following a string of missile tests by North Korea, the US Pacific Command said. The announcement came after nuclear-armed North Korea yesterday launched four missiles which it said was part of training for a strike on US bases in Japan. Three […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-deploys-anti-ballistic-missile-defense-system-to-south-korea-69405/

DefenceTalkSouth Korea and the United States kicked off their annual, massive military exercises on Wednesday as North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ordered his troops to prepare for a “merciless strike” against the enemy forces. The drills always raise tensions on the divided Korean peninsula and this year they come after the North’s recent ballistic missile […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-korea-us-forces-begin-joint-military-drills-69359/

DefenceTalkSouth Korean retail giant Lotte on Tuesday signed a deal to provide a golf course to host a controversial US missile defence system loathed by Beijing, Seoul’s defence ministry said. Food- and retail-focused Lotte Group, South Korea’s fifth-biggest company, has come under growing pressure from China, a crucial market, over the proposal. The plan by […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-koreas-lotte-signs-land-deal-for-us-missile-system-69309/

DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea for AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder missiles and related support. The estimated cost is $70 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on January 31, 2017. The Government of the Republic […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-korea-to-buy-aim-9x-2-sidewinder-and-agm-65g-2-maverick-missiles-68970/

DefenceTalkAny nuclear attack by North Korea would trigger an “effective and overwhelming” response, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said in Seoul Friday as he sought to reassure Washington’s Asian allies following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Mattis was in the South Korean capital before going on to Tokyo, on the first overseas tour by a senior […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-nuclear-attack-would-trigger-overwhelming-response-mattis-68965/

DefenceTalkNew Pentagon chief James Mattis is heading to South Korea and Japan this week, where he will seek to reassure the key US allies about American security commitments in the region. The defense secretary’s visit marks the first overseas trip of any senior official in the government of President Donald Trump, and comes after the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-pentagon-chief-seeks-to-underscore-alliances-with-japan-south-korea-68954/

DefenceTalkNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-Un conducted a large-scale artillery drill simulating an attack on the South Korean capital and other targets, as Seoul and Tokyo on Friday unveiled fresh unilateral sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons program. The military exercise, involving multiple batteries of frontline heavy artillery units, targeted five border islands, as well […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-artillery-drill-targets-south-seoul-unveils-sanctions-68640/

DefenceTalkEfforts to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear program and “denuclearize” the Korean Peninsula are bound to fail, US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Tuesday. The United States is set to deploy its THAAD missile defense system to South Korea as soon as possible, despite opposition from China, in an effort […]https://www.defencetalk.com/denuclearizing-north-korea-a-lost-cause-us-intel-chief-says-68483/

DefenceTalkNorth Korea on Thursday conducted what appeared to be its second failed test in a week of a powerful medium-range missile that experts warn could be operationally deployed as early as next year. South Korean and US military monitors said the missile — believed to be an intermediate-range Musudan — exploded shortly after take-off at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-fails-again-with-powerful-musudan-missile-test-68427/