Korea's human rights commission calls for better support for troops with special dietary needs The commission urged the Defense Ministry to improve catering after finding that enlistees with specific requirements were not given appropriate meals. 2026.7.22
Why rush to merge military academies? (KOR) Korea’s plan to combine its three military academies into one campus is moving ahead despite doubts about specialized training, feasibility and political motives. 2026.7.16
Why rush to merge military academies? Korea’s plan to combine its three military academies into one campus is moving ahead despite doubts about specialized training, feasibility and political motives. 2026.7.15
South Korea looks to outsource military base security to private firms as man power drops Facing troop shortages, the Defense Ministry is studying whether private security firms can take over rear-area base duties despite concerns over leaks, infiltration and legal accountability. 2026.7.12
Military academy alumni unite against merger, relocation plan About 2,000 alumni, parents and veterans gathered at the National Assembly to oppose the proposed integration and relocation of Korea’s military academies. 2026.7.8
Gov't to dismantle counterintelligence command that played martial law role, disperse its powers The government will break up Defense Counterintelligence Command, the military unit tied to Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law, and shift its powers to new and existing agencies under tighter oversight. 2026.6.10
Army rescinds 33 commendations linked to 1980 pro-democracy crackdown The Army said Tuesday it has revoked 33 commendations that were awarded to soldiers in the name of an Army chief for their roles in a bloody crackdown during the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju. 2026.5.19
Korea, U.S. defense chiefs discuss Seoul's phased involvement in Iran war, 'different views' on Opcon transfer The defense minister confirmed that Korea informed Washington it was reviewing contributions to restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz but acknowledged their “different views” on the transfer timeline for wartime operational control. 2026.5.13
Seoul to review 'phased' contributions to U.S. initiative in Hormuz: Defense chief Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back announced Wednesday he has told his U.S. counterpart that Seoul will review making phased contributions to the U.S. initiative in the Strait of Hormuz. 2026.5.13
Defense chief says U.S. has not made official request for warships in Hormuz The Defense Ministry has not received an official request from the United States to deploy warships to the Middle East, Minister Ahn Gyu-back said following U.S. President Donald Trump's call for allies to send vessels to the Strait of Hormuz. 2026.3.17
![The emblem of the Ministry of National Defense is shown in this undated file photo. [YONHAP NEWS TV]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12591348.jpg?imageId=12591348&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, right, hosts Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back for an honor cordon ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington on May 11. [GETTY IMAGES/YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12601670.jpg?imageId=12601670&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, on the right, walks to a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, Washington, on May 11. [MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12617191.jpg?imageId=12617191&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back attends a plenary session of the parliamentary defense committee at the National Assembly building in Yeouido, western Seoul, on March 17. [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12618392.jpg?imageId=12618392&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)