SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea has carried out a “successful” new test of its “super-large multiple rocket launcher” system, state media said Friday — the latest in a series of provocations by Pyongyang. South Korea’s military said Thursday that the North had launched two short-range projectiles from South Pyongan province. They each flew approximately 370 kilometers (230 miles). It was the latest in a series of launches by the North but the first […]
Tag: Defense
North Korea fires short-range projectiles: South’s military
by Kang Jin-kyu Agence France Presse SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea fired two short-range projectiles on Thursday, the South’s military said, with nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington at a deadlock. The weapons were launched from South Pyongan province in an easterly direction over the sea, Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. They flew 370 kilometers (230 miles) at a maximum altitude of 90 kilometers, they said, adding: “We […]
Pangilinan accuses admin of “laying down red carpet” for Chinese telco inside military camps
(Eagle News)–Senator Kiko Pangilinan has accused the administration of “la(ying) down the red carpet” for Dito Telecoms, a Chinese telecommunications company, inside military camps, noting supposed plans to construct telecommunications towers there. “The planned installation of electronic communications inside our military camps raises fears of electronic espionage and interference given the record of some Chinese firms for engaging in this illegal activity,” Pangilinan said. According to Pangilinan, “this fear is especially acute” considering China’s National […]
President Duterte, President Yacob of Singapore to deepen defense cooperation, other ties
(Eagle News) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Singapore President Halimah Yacob talked about deepening defense and security ties between the two countries during the visit of the Singaporean leader in the country. In their joint press statement, Duterte and Yacob reaffirmed their ties Monday as both leaders look forward to a stronger cooperation in the coming years. President Yacob, the eighth president of Singapore, arrived in the country Sunday for a five-day state […]
Pentagon frees $3.6 bn for wall construction on Mexican border
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US Defense Department said Tuesday it was freeing up $3.6 billion in funds budgeted for other projects to build a wall on the Mexican border as ordered by President Donald Trump. Six weeks after being confirmed by Congress, Defense Secretary Mike Esper has signed off on the diversion of funds from 127 “deferred military projects” both inside and outside the country, said Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffmann. In February […]
China to hold fresh military drills near Taiwan
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China has said it will stage military exercises in the East China Sea near Taiwan this week, with relations tense between Beijing and the self-ruled island. This will be the third set of drills in a month and comes after the recent US approvals of arms sales worth billions to Taiwan, including F-16 fighter jets. Ties between Beijing and Taipei have plummeted since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016 […]
S. Korea to scrap military intel sharing pact with Japan
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea said Thursday it will terminate its military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan amid intensifying trade and diplomatic disputes with Tokyo. The decision comes as Seoul and Tokyo are locked in a tit-for-tat trade and diplomatic dispute following a series of South Korean court rulings against Japanese firms, requiring them to pay for forced labor during World War II. Japan had removed South Korea from a so-called white list of […]
China demands US cancel arms sale to Taiwan
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China demanded Tuesday that the United States “immediately cancel” a potential sale of $2.2 billion in arms to self-ruled Taiwan, including battle tanks and anti-aircraft missiles, adding fuel to tensions between the two powers. The US later shrugged off China’s complaints, responding that the equipment would contribute to “peace and stability” in Asia. The sale would be the first transfer of big-ticket US military gear to the democratically-governed island in decades, […]
Japan ends search for crashed F35 fighter jet
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan called off its search for an F-35A on Tuesday, almost two months after the stealth jet crashed into the sea sparking a scramble to recover the pilot and secrets onboard. Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya told reporters the search had been halted but that his teams were still investigating the cause of the crash, adding that F-35A operations in northern Japan had not yet resumed. The ministry would also keep […]
US warns China on behavior towards its Asian neighbors
by Martin ABBUGAO Agence France Presse SINGAPORE (AFP) — The United States warned China on Saturday against threatening its neighbours’ sovereignty and said Washington is investing in new military technology to defend its Asian allies. Washington and Beijing have been vying for influence in the region, which hosts potential flashpoints such as the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and the Taiwan Strait. Ties between the two powers are once again taking centre stage […]
North Korea’s missile tests not ‘breach of trust’: Trump
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — North Korean missile launches over the past week have not affected Donald Trump’s relationship with Kim Jong Un, the US president said Friday, in a change of course after initially expressing his dissatisfaction. Pyongyang fired two short-range missiles Thursday following an earlier drill the previous Saturday — the first in 18 months. The North had not launched any missiles since November 2017, shortly before once reclusive Kim embarked on diplomatic […]
North Korea fires projectiles: South’s military
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea fired a number of unidentified projectiles Thursday, the South’s military said, as a US envoy visited Seoul for discussions on how to break the nuclear deadlock. “North Korea fired unidentified projectiles eastward” from Sino-ri in North Pyongan province, the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The launch came just days after North Korea carried out a military drill and fired multiple projectiles, with at […]
