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This page is graphically intense with long load times due to photos. However, the photos and narratives by the men who served at Osan Air Base makes the wait well worthwhile. The opinions expressed are those of the author and in no way represents any official statement of Osan AB or the USAF. 
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2006January 2006ROK Yongsan Planning Meeting Held (Jan 2006) The ROK held its first planning meeting this week to decide the future of the 600 acres in the capital city that is now Yongsan Garrison. The Yongsan National and History Park Construction Promotion Committee met on 23 Jan to begin brainstorming ideas for the future of the *land, which is about three-fourths the area of New York's Central Park. The land, which once housed Japanese military quarters and now is home to U.S. Forces Korea headquarters, could become a key part in linking the Han River with nearby Namsan Park for a large public space in this crowded city of more than 10 million people. That idea would add to a plan already approved by Seoul City Hall that includes improving the land just north of the Han River.But another idea includes combining a park with development, namely residential housing and underground shopping areas, according to Kim. The combination plan also might include new roads to ease traffic. The advisory committee was formed in November 2005 and includes 26 people from public and private sectors in South Korea, including Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan. The goal is to set a long-term policy, through 2030, Kim said. The committee also must make recommendations about selling portions of the land to pay for the relocation of U.S. troops southward on the peninsula. (SITE NOTE: Note that the Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan is the chairman of key committee's that make "recommendations" that the government acts on. The committees give the impression of legitimacy and public "concensus" but are in fact simply "tools" of the Roh administration to implement its agenda. For example, he is a co-chairman of a panel to come up with effective measures introduce a more peaceful rally culture in Korea. The NGO groups have been tools of the administration in "mobilizing" public sentiment and it needs to be "protected." Other "tools" are the National Human Rights Commission and the NIS "Truth Committee" that make recommendations that support the Roh agenda.) The turnover of Yongsan is part of a long-range plan to centralize most of U.S. Forces Korea in the Pyeongtaek area, about 50 miles south of Seoul, by 2008. The problem remains that the Ministry of Defense -- who owns the land -- wishes to have development on portions to enable it to have the monies to pay for the move -- at least this is its public stance. (Source: Stars and Stripes.) S Korea to cut Iraq troops by a third (Jan 2006) The flap created during the Nov 2005 APEC summit when President Bush on his world tour to drum up support for the Iraq mission was blind-sided by the ROK intention to withdraw its troops. That Roh had just met with George Bush in Kyongju and never mentioned the subject made the fact all the more galling to the US. Two days later the Roh cabinet approved the measure and sent it to the National Assembly. The National Assembly approved the bill to cut by about one-third the size of its troop deployment in Iraq, the third-largest foreign contingent there. The unicameral National Assembly voted by 110 to 31 to extend the country's troop deployment in the northern Iraqi region of Irbil by one year until the end of 2006 but cut the contingent to 2,300 from 3,200. Seventeen members abstained. The troops are stationed in the "safe" area of Irbil in Kurdish territory. While the US has suffered over 2000 deaths, the ROK has suffered not one. The deployment is unpopular among South Koreans worried about security concerns. In June 2004, Islamic insurgents beheaded a South Korean civilian working in Iraq after South Korea rejected demands to withdraw its troops. The cut, which will begin in early 2006, could drop South Korea's unit to the fourth largest after Italy. Italy has said it will reduce its 2,900 troops in Iraq by 10 per cent in January and plans to pull out its troops by the end of 2006. Ukraine and Bulgaria announced this week that their soldiers had left Iraq. The US has also announced that it is scaling back its troop commitment in Iraq in 2006 as well. EPILOGUE: From a Korea Times Editorial on 27 Sep 2006: "First of all, there is not much for the Korean soldiers to do in Irbil, the Kurdish autonomous state. Contrary to some media stories, the local police, not Korean soldiers, are maintaining public security. The engineering corps of the Korean unit, called Zaytun, is bent on either maintaining Korean compounds or supervising construction works done by local firms. Its medical team has only dealt with the minor complaints of residents, according to soldiers and civilians familiar with the local situation. Minister of Defense to Review Conscientious Objector Issue (Jan 2006) Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung on 6 Jan said that his ministry plans to launch a pan-governmental committee to study alternative civil service for conscientious objectors. The decision on whether to implement the system will be made after a MND committee, also involving civic representatives, finishes its analysis on the system to offer alternate forms of service for objectors this year. Immediately following the announcement, the first of the conscientious objectors from the Jehovah's Witness group was arrested and jailed. The move draws attention as the ministry has reacted negatively to the issue in the past, citing a possible security gap resulting from the weakness of military manpower, as more young people could take on the alternative system to evade their mandatory service. The problem the MND faces is that manpower for the military is dropping because of the falling birthrates. South Korea maintains 680,000-strong military under a compulsory conscription system. All able-bodied men aged 20 and over are required to serve in the military for 24-28 months. However, at the same time, the Ministry of Defense in July 2005 announced plans to reduce its 680,000-member military by one fourth by 2020 and streamlining its combat organizations in an effort to carry out comprehensive reform of its armed forces. The move was due to demographics where falling number of military age conscriptees was rapidly going to affect the military. (NOTE: The reorganization also had an underlying motive to implement the Roh administration push to place "progressive" civilians in key positions to control of the military.) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRCK) recommended in December 2005 that the government recognize the individual right to refuse compulsory military service for their religious conviction, calling for an alternate form of service to be considered. It was the first time that a state institution officially recognized people's right to conscientiously object. The recommendation was NOT legally binding. (NOTE: The NHRCK is a body that is controlled by President Roh and makes recommendations -- that end up as policy.) However, a Constitutional Court decision in August 2005 affirmed that the current conscription law as lawful. The top court said religious beliefs couldn't come before national security. Every year, about 700 conscientious objectors are punished mostly with jail terms. At present, there are about 450 young men imprisoned for that charge. The issue of evading military service is a highly sensitive issue as ALL Korean mothers do not want their children to go into the military because of the brutality of the training and duty. The issue became political when it was found that movies stars had evaded military service because of "health" reasons. Lee Hoi-chang, the GNP Presidential candidate running against Kim Dae-jung in 1997, was smeared with allegations that he had abetted in his two sons in evading military service by deliberately losing weight before the medical checkup. In recent years, there have been highly publicized deaths from beating that were attempted to be covered up as suicides. Also in 2004, a soldier on the DMZ went on a rampage and shot and killed 8 of his unit before committing suicide. Suicide rates in the military are high -- though covered up. Because homosexuals are NOT exempt, they are mandatorily entered in service -- as the military is forced to pretend that homosexuality does not exist. If the homosexual activity is found in service, the person(s) is simply transferred and the incident hushed up. In 2006, the military is attempting to portray the "new" military as one where harsh living conditions have been upgraded and quality NCOs retained with higher pay and benefits. Unfortunately, incidents of brutality continue to be reported. SITE NOTE: In Jan 2006, my nephew as a "newbie" Army security policeman was severely beaten by his "senior" to show who was "boss" and hospitalized with severe bruising to his body and head -- on his FIRST day on duty at the camp near Taejon. His assailant was jailed and my nephew was to be assigned to another camp because of the fear of retribution. This type of brutality incident is still common in the Army. We agree that the idea of having a recruit break in training is better than having him break during battle. Physical and mental hardships are part of the training to weed out the unfit. However, we disagree with the use of physical brutality to show who is the "superior." This is not training -- but simply thugs running amok. Discipline and obedience to the orders of superiors is required -- but the door opens both ways in that leadership bears responsibility for their actions. See ROK Space Program on Schedule (Jan-Jul 2006) for ROK Satellite Programs to monitor North See Japanese to Launch Two More Spy Satellites (Jan-Apr 2006) for Japanese satellite surveillance of North. See >WRSA-K Stock Authorized for Sale to ROK -- but ... (Jan-Sep 2006) for details on continuing ROK shortage of wartime munitions stocks. MND Launches Procurement Agency (Jan 2006) The Ministry of Defense launched a streamlined military procurement agency to enhance efficiency and transparency in its arms introduction projects. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) consolidates eight organizations related to procurement and technology development that were dispersed in the country's Defense Ministry, Army, Navy, and Air Force. The new agency, operated under the control of the defense minister, employs 807 public servants, and its annual budget reaches 10 trillion won ($ 9.8 billion). The role of DAPA is all the more important because the South Korean military has just embarked on a reform program that will make it rely less on manpower and more on weapons and equipment. The plan will cut the number of soldiers from the current 680,000 to 500,000 in 15 years. The DAPA mandate of supplying the armed forces with the right weapons at the right time is of the utmost importance. 2005 MND Programs On a percentage basis, the 2005 defense budget was broken down to 66.1 percent for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and 33.9 percent for Force Investment Plans (FIP). The O&M budget was US$13.76 billion while the FIP budget is US$7.06 billion. All offshore purchases come out of the FIP budget. The 2004-2008 Mid-Term Defense Plan calls for incrementally increasing the FIP share from 32.8 percent in 2003 to 37.9 percent in 2008 to help "lay the foundation for a self-reliant defense capacity by 2010". The FIP budget is divided into two categories -- New Projects and Continuing Projects. Approximately 97 to 98 percent of the total FIP budget is allocated to continuing programs and the remainder to new programs.(Source: Buy USA Info)
ROK goes to High-tech Weaponry and Military Transformation Plan On 21 Jan 2006 Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung said, "The most serious problem in the Korean military is that its warfare capability is a quantity-based one that depends on a huge troop level, which lacks both efficiency and joint operability between the armed forces. It is urgent to transform the outdated troops to quality-based forces of low cost and high efficiency," Yoon said. "Military transformation is a worldwide trend. France, Germany and China have successfully completed or still been conducting large-scale restructuring of their militaries. China has reduced its troop level from 5 million to 2 million." This military transformation has been partially brought about by the reduced birthrate that means fewer military conscriptees. However, in moving to a high-tech military comes the expense which the ROK can ill-afford at this time. Roh has programs for everything to make everyone happy. However, there will be a 10 trillion won shortfall that needs to be addressed first. The ROK will have to prioritize whether social programs, aid to the North or military defense is important. It is about to explode in politics in 2006. The ROK has also started to realize that its "self-reliant defense cannot be supported by the tax base as it is. The ROK budgeted W620 trillion (US$620 billion) for the Military Reorganization plan -- assuming prospects for the inter-Korean relationship remain rosy. The Roh administration is scrambling to find funding sources -- but it appears they are targeting the rich and businesses. The government unveiled last year its plan to restructure its military into a streamlined elite forces by 2020. The 67 trillion won project features curtailing troops from 680,000 to 500,000 and equipping forces with a cutting-edge weapons system such as jet fighters, submarine and tanks. Yoon expects the military reform bill will be passed in February 2006 through the National Assembly. It was submitted last year but the approval was postponed because of a disagreement between ruling and opposition parties over other issues. (Source: Korea Herald.) Technology Transfer as Integral Part of Selection Process On 21 Jan 2006 Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung announced his ambition to facilitate the country's commitment into international cooperation in the defense industry. He said he will push for diversifying partnerships to accelerate Korea's entry into the global defense industry market. "The Defense Ministry plans this year to hold bilateral talks with 16 countries including Australia and Turkey in an attempt to foster cooperation in the field. Now, we are under consultations with five countries such as Ukraine and Chile to conclude memorandum of understanding for exchanges in the sector," he said. Currently the country has concluded agreements with 22 countries regarding cooperation and exchange in the defense industry. (Source: Korea Herald.) This policy has started with the transfer of technology under license for the KMA-1A Abrams tanks, K-2 rifles (Korean version of M-16) and ammunition back in the 1980s. The technology was transferred and Korea now manufactures 80 percent of the spare parts. From this technology, the ROK was able to build an indigenous armored personnel carrier that it has offered for sale to South Asian countries. From the technology transfer gained in the depot-level repair of the F-4s, the ROK gained the technical personnel to be able to start its aircraft industry. With the experience gained from the KF-16, the ROK was able to build its first indigenous aircraft the AT-50 "Golden Eagle" project. The AT-50 entered the aircraft competitions in 2006 the start of its military aircraft industry. The process of technology transfer will be a key component to weapons systems selection. In the selection of the F-15K, it was stated that it was "interoperability" that sold the aircraft -- though the French offered a better deal on technology transfer and the aircraft outperformed the F-15. However, the ROK said it was only by .1 percent and that was not important -- so they readjusted the contract requirements much to the anger of the French -- to ensure the US won the contract. (SITE NOTE: Actually the F-15K buy was used as leverage to gain concessions from the US on the Yongsan and 2d ID moves. To the US it was "pork barrel politics" as the fighter is at the end of its active USAF life cycle and the St. Louis lines were going to have to shut down. So the US promised to retain the F-15E in use in the Guard and Reserves for 15 more years. The ROK also selected the F-15K because the French aircraft was brand new and spare parts would have been prohibitively high. With the F-15K there was the bone-yard at Davis-Montham filled with Foreign Military Sales discount parts. To the ROK, the F-15K was a "cheap" aircraft in replacement parts -- which is why it continued to fly the F-4, F-5E and A-37 until the present day. Regardless of all the conflicting views, the F-15K has DUAL ENGINES which is what is required for use in the mountainous terrain of Korea. A single engine F-16 is a great air superiority fighter -- though getting a little long in the tooth -- but as a single engine aircraft, it is a disaster waiting to happen in mountainous areas. South Korea will purchase 20 more F-15K fighter bombers from the United States, in addition to the 40 already contracted for delivery, online military news outlet Strategy Page reported on 28 May 2006. South Korea is paying US$100 million for each F-15K, the Korean version of the F-15E, it said. In Jan 2007, Boeing Co. chairman James McNerney said it would put a bid in for Korea's $2.5 billion purchase of 20 fighter planes. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced Wednesday it would buy 20 new fighter jets between 2010 and 2012. The 2.3 trillion won ($2.5 billion) program aims to reinforce the Air Force's airstrike capabilities along with 40 of Boeing's F-15Ks, which the Air Force is set to introduce by 2008. Dassault Aviation SA, a French aerospace company, and Lockheed Martin Corp., the largest U.S. defense contractor, may also bid for the new contract, according to the DAPA.) Question of Weapon system Process and Corruption The DAPA's first major job will be the selection of a contractor to supply four early warning aircraft, a 2-trillion-won business code-named "E-X Project." The Israeli aircraft was selected for the low bid, but it was found that some critical communication components were US technology -- and the US appeared reluctant to transfer the technology. The decision is expected to come around May. The foundation of the agency is a key part of government efforts to reform the nation's scandal-ridden arms procurement programs. (See Roh Moo-hyun: ROK "Self-Reliant Defense" in BIG Trouble for details of on-going defense contracts.) As of May 2006, the Israel aircraft still had not received approval from the US for communications equipment on the aircraft. HOWEVER, the DAPA allowed the aircraft to enter the testing phase against Boeing even though it did not have the licenses. This has raised eyebrows even amongst Korean observers. (SITE NOTE: We don't know if this new agency will help the accusations of corruption. In the F-15K procurement process, a whistle blower was hung out to dry because he allegedly accepted "gifts" of $5,000 from the French -- a pitiance if one considers the risk to his loss of rank and prestige. It didn't smell right. The question of who got the millions doled out to the real power brokers -- the ones who approved the F-15K -- remains unknown. These power brokers are the folks who changed the rules after the French aircraft performance beat out the US aircraft. In Jul 2006, it looked like Boeing would win the contract in Aug 2006 because IAI ELTA could not meet four areas of the contract. But on 13 Jul the ROK gave IAI ELTA until the end of this month to remove any restrictions on a U.S. export license, putting off its decision on whether to disqualify the Israeli company from the country's multi-billion-dollar project to procure surveillance aircraft. We also wonder if this will change the irregular bidding process when one aircraft wins -- as the Boeing AWACS did because everyone else drops out -- and the ROK simply goes back out for rebids. Then when the Israeli model -- which was cheaper -- but missing the key communication licenses for technology transfer from the US, was STILL allowed to enter the ROKAF air testing phase completed in May 2006. The only major change is that now the money to "grease the skids" will have to flow through the Ministry of Defense -- instead of the separate services. Before long this "one-stop" procurement agency will find out that each branch of service has special needs -- even for the same item. We don't believe it is the answer -- just as Sec of Defense McNamarra found out during the fiascos of the Kennedy and Johnson Vietnam era.) An Korea Heral editorial stated: "When it comes to arms procurement, the importance of transparency and fairness cannot be overemphasized. There were at least eight agencies, including the three military branches and the Agency for Defense Development, which were involved in weapons acquisition. This not only led to inefficiency but also to corruption. With the involvement of corrupt politicians, arms procurement often became a hotbed for dirty money and illegal lobbying.Then on 3 Nov 2006 Israel's IAI Elta called on the nation's weapons procurement agency to reverse its decision to disqualify Elta from the competition with Boeing of the United States for a $2-billion airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft deal. The company said it obtained required export licenses from the U.S. government regarding key items to be installed on its aircraft on Oct. 27. The Israeli company sent a letter to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) requesting its participation in the bidding process on Tuesday, Nissim Hadas, president of Elta, said in a statement. ``The U.S. government approval provides the final component of the Elta team effort to ensure a secure, interoperable and supportable solution,'' he said. In August, the DAPA chose Boeing as the sole candidate for the surveillance aircraft project, codenamed ``E-X,'' to equip the Air Force with four early warning aircraft by 2012 in stages, over Elta. The agency cited the Israeli firm's failure to guarantee obtaining the required U.S. export license before the deadline at the end of July. (Source: Korea Timeshttp://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200611/kt2006110318035311960.htm Immediate Problem with Classified Data Leak DAPA, which began its business on Jan. 2, was immediately under fire for the leakage of confidential documents. The agency ``mistakenly'' posted a three-page dossier regarding the country's mid- to long-term arms buildup programs classified as second and third military secrets on its official Website (www.dapa.go.kr) on Jan.3-4. It deleted the contents 30 hours after the documents were posted, but about 250 arms purchases and development plans were found to have been already distributed via the Internet, officials at the Defense Ministry said. Included in the plans of the leaked dossier was the Navy's plan to build six 1,800-ton level Type 214 submarines between 2012 and 2020 and deploy three 3,500-ton class next-generation vessels in the field by 2020 in stages. The documents also revealed that the country is seeking to build advanced fighter jets using its own technology beginning 2018, under the ``KF-X'' program, which is in the last stage of a feasibility study by the state-run Agency for the Defense Development. It also included mass production plans for the A-50 light attack plane, the Army's plan for unmanned reconnaissance drones and production plans for 130mm and 227mm multiple rocket launchers. (Source: Korea Times.) (SITE NOTE: In Jun 2006 Korea launched the 214 class Sohn Won-il from Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan in what experts say is a major step from Korea's existing subs in terms of operational capability and power. While the sub is not quite up to the level of the large nuclear submarines of China, Russia and the U.S., among diesel and electricity-propelled craft, the Sohn Won-il is as powerful as they come and extends the potential scope of operations for the South Korean Navy to the Philippines and the island of Hainan, China. The 214 class submarines can go without snorkeling for two or three weeks, thanks to an Air Independent Propulsion System (AIPS) which works without air. Korea has become the first country to launch an AIPS submarine in Northeast Asia. Japan, a submarine powerhouse, is in the middle of building a 3,000-ton class submarine, the 16SS, which is larger than the 214s and equipped with AIPS. It will be ready by around 2008. The Shon Won-il accommodates a crew of 40. The 214 costs W350 billion (US$350 million) and the Navy plans to acquire nine of them by around 2020.) The Defense Security Command (DSC) looked into the information leakage case, intended to charge some 10 DAPA officials concerned, and handed over the results of investigation to the National Intelligence Service, Park said. Under the current law, military documents are classified into three categories according to their contents. Nine of 538,000 secret documents are classified as first-class secrets. About 235,600 belong to the second class and some 308,100 to the third. The leaked DAPA information was in the second and third class category. An official at the DAPA said, "The documents only amounted to three A4-form pages, and the administration will unveil most of the information after going through proper procedures." (Source: Joongang Ilbo.) (SITE NOTE: We tend to agree as we have known about these "secrets" for some time by following the news reports and developments over the years. These "secrets" are really "open secrets.") On 18 Jan it was reported that evidence supporting the charges was obtained during a joint investigation by The Defense Security Command and the National Intelligence Service. The three pages of data concerning medium-term weapons procurement appeared on the agency's website on Jan. 1, the day the agency was launched. The military's own prosecution will conduct the case. "As a result of our probe, we have concluded the disclosed document contains classified information and that five field grade officers at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration were responsible for the incident," Jeon Jong-chan, spokesman for the Defense Security Command, said. "We have committed the officials to the Defense Ministry's prosecution office on charges of violating confidentiality regulations." The detained DAPA officials are alleged to have skipped set procedures regarding the release of confidential information when they instructed subordinate staff to put the document online. But a spokesman at the DAPA said the five claim not to have been aware that a third-class confidentiality rating was protecting the information. The Defense Ministry categorizes documents into three classes of confidentiality of which first class is the highest and three the lowest. (Source: Korea Herald.) ROK Army Clears Landmines (Jan 2006) The South Korean military has completed a project to remove about 4,000 landmines scattered along the border with the North. The army also cleared a 10,000 sq. m area on the southern side of the civilian passage restriction line. The project is part of a grand plan launched in 2000 to remove all mines around civilian access areas by 2006. (NOTE: The UNC controls the DMZ so the clearing of the mines became a highly political topic. People crossing the DMZ must still be approved by the UNC for crossing.) In 2006, a large area from Dorasan Station to Paju City will be dug up at the request of the Unification Ministry. There, the ministry plans to set up a cross-border power transmission line for North Korea. (NOTE: Though the cross-border power transmission project was contingent upon the North giving up its nuclear weapons, the Unification Ministry is proceeding with the project as though that agreement was a minor technicality.) (Source: Chosun Ilbo.) The towns near the DMZ, such as Paju and Uijongbu, are starting to clear away the old tank traps that lined the roads and to expand the highways leading into the cities. The movement is part of an overall plan to "demilitarize" the area below the DMZ fostered by the Unification Ministry -- and to bring in new industry into the area. Photo Op: ROKAF F-15K Flys Over Tokdo (Jan 2006) In a photo op, ROKAF chief of staff, Kim Sung-il, flying the recently introduced F-15K fighter on 2 Jan led a formation flight over Tokdo. The aircraft took off from an air base (K2) in the southern city of Daegu at 4 p.m. and reached Dokdo islets in the East Sea about 20 minutes later. Kim led a squad of two F-15Ks and two F-16s and circled above the islets for several minutes, staying in communication with the Ulleungdo control unit and the Master Control and Report Center. Kim's flight was a symbolic gesture to inform Korea and the world that the Dokdo Islets belong to Korea. F-15K fighter jet, regarded as one of the most powerful fighter jets in the world, can last around an hour in aerial combat whereas existing Korean fighter jets would last only five minutes over Dokdo, making the new jets eminently suitable to defend the outlying islets in the East Sea which Tokyo claims are Japanese territory. The message is that the F-15K is now considered operational in the defense of the country.  New Year's Greeting with F-15K The next day, the Japanese government asked Korea through diplomatic channels to explain the sortie over Dokdo by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Sung-il at the controls of one of the newly introduced F-15K fighter jets. The Japanese Embassy in Seoul called the Foreign Ministry, and requested an explanation of the motive behind the sortie. The official said the call was not in the nature of a protest, but it is rare for a foreign government to ask why Korea's Air Force chief of staff piloted a jet. Seoul reportedly told the embassy the aim of Kim's flight was to mark the New Year, boost the morale of pilots and test the new F-15K jet himself. ROK Builds More Subs (Jan 2006) The ROK announced plans to double its submarine fleet size. The point is that the ROK is consciously stating that the missile threat is less important than the underwater threat. The Aegis vessels would form a missile defense shield. At the same time, the Japanese are recognizing the submarine threat to its fleet -- notably from the Chinese -- and are developing shallow-depth anti-submarine torpedoes to be dropped from anti-submarine aircraft. It should be noted that with the top-secret satellite thermal technology that the US has in place, the detection of submarines has been much enhanced. (NOTE: The ROK has been notified by the US of North Korean submarines in their waters using this technology, but the ROK Navy could not locate the subs.) Until early 1999, Daewoo Shipbuilding had enjoyed a virtual monopoly in the South Korean submarine industry. However, this changed when the ROK Ministry of Defense allowed Hyundai Heavy Industry (HHI) to participate in the KSS-II submarine project. In late November 2000 HHI was selected for the 1.27 trillion-won ($1.12 billion) project to build submarines with the German firm's technology and design. HHI, a shipbuilding arm of the giant Hyundai Group, outbid rival Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Ltd. to team up with HDW. HHI won the contract as it offered lower prices and was in better financial shape than Daewoo Shipbuilding. In early November 2000 the ROK Defense Ministry picked the German firm Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW) and its Type 214 submarine as the foreign contractor for the next-generation "KSS-II" submarine project to supply three 1,800 ton-class submarines to the Navy by 2009. 
SS Yichon (SS-62) entering port (Changbogo class)
Type 214 Sub
But these new submarines are really not news. The ROK had announced its intentions back in 2004. In January 2004, it was reported in Agence France-Presse ("South Korea Plans to Build 3,500-ton Suybmarines," 01/26/04) that the ROK had formed a research team to build 3,500-ton new submarines as part of efforts to reduce its reliance on US firepower. Some 1.7 billion won (1.4 million dollars) has been set aside for a two-year study to develop the new submarines but no decision has been made yet on how they will be powered according to the Ministry of Defense. The navy plans to deploy the new submarines from 2010, it said. The plan was unveiled after the newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported that the ROK was considering the deployment of nuclear-powered submarines from 2012. Won Jang-Hwan, head of the ministry's arms procurement bureau, said diesel engines were being considered to power 3,500-ton submarines. "There is no need to develop nuclear-powered submarines," Won told reporters. The ROK has nine 1,200-ton submarines and plans to deploy three 1,800-ton vessels worth 2.27 trillion won from 2007, all with diesel or diesel-electric engines designed by a German firm (HDW). But these submarines will be limited to coastal defense in the short term. On 21 Jan 2006 Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung acknowledged the need to build up the naval forces to protect national interests in future sovereignty disputes, to protect maritime transportation and resources, and contribute to international security, but he opposed upgrading the country's naval forces into becoming a "blue water" navy in the short-term. Some in the Navy and academia have long been asserting the necessity of widening naval forces' operations to distant oceans to protect its sea lanes of commerce. The construction of the "stealth" destroyers are the prelude to this long-term plan -- along with pipe dreams of a carrier in 2010. (Source: Korea Herald.) As a side note, Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung proposed selling South Korean-built submarines to Indonesia when he met with his Indonesian counterpart in Jakarta in Jan 2006. Yoon offered to sell 1,300-ton Type 209 submarines, to be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), to the Southeast Asian country during a meeting with Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono. In competition with China and Russia for the Indonesian Navy ugrade, the proposal does illustrate the view of the ROK in procurement and gaining of technology transfer. It then takes the technology and turns it into indigenous military industry expansion. ROK to Equip Aegis Destroyer with Domestic Cruise Missile (Jan 2006) According to Yonhap News on 30 Jan 2005, an Aegis-equipped destroyer under construction by the South Korean Navy will be equipped with a domestically built cruise missile aimed at replacing U.S.-made anti-ship Harpoon missiles. South Korea plans to build three 7,000-ton-class, Aegis-equipped destroyers by 2012 and to equip the first vessel with the ship-to-ship missiles, which have a range of up to 150 kilometers. U.S. manufacturing giant Lockheed Martin was awarded the contract to provide an Aegis combat system, which would make South Korea the fourth nation to have the state-of-the-art system after the United States, Japan and Spain. The missiles will also be mounted on four 4,000-ton-class destroyers with radar-evading "stealth" functions the South Korean Navy has already built. The missile, developed by the state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD), drew media attention after its successful test-firing in December 2005. The missile precisely hit a designated target on the East Sea four minutes after its firing from a launching pad about 150 kilometers away. The ADD has spent 100 billion won (US$102 million) to develop the missiles since 1996 to replace Harpoon missiles produced by U.S.-based Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) that have a range of up to 90 kilometers. The Harpoon missile, introduced in 1977, has served as one of the most common air, ship and submarine missiles. February 2006MND Policy Goals for 2006: Independent Intelligence Gathering and complete Assumption of 10 tasks (Feb 2006) Under the plans, the 1,000-man reduction of Korean troops in Iraq will take place in five stages starting at the end of April. (SITE NOTE: As the ROK is in the safe haven of Irbil, there is really no worries of any security impact. No ROK troops have been killed -- and the closest to killing action was when a ROK troop accidentally killed an Iraqi with his K2 rifle. It's a shame that the proud ROK military legend has been tarnished by the impression that they are hiding from danger. This is NOT true as the Zaytun unit are all volunteers. With the US and Japan discussing pullouts, the ROK drawdown became a non-issue.)The ministry also aims to start work in the middle of this year on increasing Korea's independent intelligence gathering and processing capacity. (SITE NOTE: The ROK is pegging their hopes on the Arirang 2 (still in development with Israel -- and to use Russian rockets for launch) which will give it spy capabilities of the North. Regardless, even with this satellite, the ROK will be far behind the US and Japanese intel capabilities. (NOTE: Arirang 2 was scheduled for launch in July 2006 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, about 200-kilometers northeast of Moscow.) The ROK is reliant on US intel -- and the trust between the two intel communities is almost nil. Examples of the Robert Kim, spying for the ROK, and reluctance to allow the intel from North Korean defectors to be shared has led to this impasse. As to the dirty hands work, the Roh administration turned over domestic spying to the ROK KNP and external intelligence to the NIS. The functions of counter-espionage has been gutted by the Roh administration.) Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung said the Korean military took over responsibility for blocking naval intrusions by North Korean special forces in January as part of a transfer of 10 duties from the U.S. Forces Korea. So far South Korea has taken over seven duties, with the rest due mid-year. (SITE NOTE: The assumption of blocking the naval intrusions by DPRK Special Ops forces (SOF) was easy. The ROK in 1995 simply threw up their arms and said they could not stop them. The barbed wire fences came down along the beaches (if the farmers wanted to do the work). The fact was proven true when in 1996 as a submarine was found stranded on the shore near Kangnung -- and reported by a passing taxi driver, not the military. The 20-man crew committed a murder/suicide pact. A massive manhunt ensued for two SOF operatives. 16 South Korean soldiers and civilians died and 27 were wounded. but two escaped with the entire ROK army searching. (Source: CNN.) Other well-publicized incursions have occurred subsequently. The ROK cannot -- and will not -- perform this function despite its claims that it is developing an indigenous coastal radar to fill this void. The second problem is the ROK inability to react to intel from the US thermal satellite info showing subs in Korean waters -- which the ROK after failing to find the subs, claimed the intel was faulty. The subs were spotted later in international waters.) The same article stated that Korea will increase the number of troops for UN peacekeeping operations in trouble spots like East Timor by 400-500 and drastically reduce the time until they are ready for deployment from the three or four months it takes now, the Defense Ministry said. Announcing its policy goals for the year, the ministry said it will set up units on permanent standby for deployment at the request of the UN, and decided to take a more proactive role in the UN Stand-by Arrangements System (UNSAS) that determines the size of detachments based on the type of conflict in trouble spots. (Source: Chosun Ilbo.) (SITE NOTE: The UN Role is political eye-wash. It provides good press for Korea with minimal outlays and danger to the affected troops.) Controversy of EO-X Selection (Feb 2006) Controversy is arising over the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF)'s selection of Israel's Electro-Optics Industries Ltd (ELOP) which had failed to be chosen as a main provider for the state-of-the-art EO-X system aimed at collecting information on North Korea in 1999. "We again pushed forth the EO-X business since 2004 to replace LOROP, a camera for RPV/Drone that is currently being used, because it is outdated," the air force official said yesterday, and added, "So, we selected Israel's ELOP as our foreign supplier last December." However, within and outside of ROKAF, suspicions are arising, and some have argued that the process and form of selection should be officially unveiled as ELOP was selected within only six years after it failed the assessment test of EO-X system in 1999. "We cannot let the public know the process of selection considering that the business is unofficially driven," said ROKAF amid this turmoil. In 1999, Raytheon and ROI in the U.S and Thomson in France, along with ELOP, submitted business proposals to ROKAF which set the goal of introducing an EO-X system in 2003. At that time, ROKAF was assessing four companies based on technology transmission, performance, and price. ELOP failed the test. ELOP immediately complained about the criteria of the test. The business had been delayed for several years because the Ministry of National Defense carried out a full-scale inspection. Rivals complained about the delays because they believed that ELOP would have enough time to make up for their weak points. (Source: Donga Ilbo.) Navy to Transfer Shipbuilding Technology to Austraila The Navy is considering transferring its "shipbuilding technology and ship parts in return for a royalty" at the request of its Australian counterpart. The Australian Navy is seeking to model after South Korea’s KDX-III program aimed at building Aegis-equipped advanced destroyers and negotiations are now underway. (NOTE: This is an interesting proposal as the ROK operates under license on many of the "technology transfer" items.) The request was made as the Australian military thinks that the Korean version of 7,000 ton-class destroyer is much more suitable for its Navy than those of the United States and Japan. (NOTE: This is a strange remark as the Australian design is supposed to be a variant of the US Arleigh Burke class destroyer with the Spanish F-100 destroyer as an alternate design. The Japanese Kongo class is an improved variant of the Arleigh Burke class. However, the KDXIII has some firsts in its designs that make it attractive.) Under the Sea 4000 project, the Royal Australian Navy plans to acquire three Air Warfare Destroyers, for introduction into service from 2013. These ships will perform the same area air defence role as the withdrawn Perth class destroyers; the Chief of the Navy described their key capability as providing "a protective ‘bubble’ over whatever area they’re working in", in which any hostile aircraft or missiles will be detected and shot down by the ship's combat systems. The consortium responsible describes the ships as capable of engaging enemy aircraft "at a range of over 150 kilometres". The ships will also supplement the remaining Adelaide class frigates. In August 2005 the Australian Government announced that Gibbs & Cox was the 'preferred designer' of the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD). While development of the AWD will be focused on a variant of Gibbs & Cox's Arleigh Burke class destroyer, the Australian Government has not yet ordered any ships and the Spanish F100 design remains the official alternative to the Burke. 
KDX II Stealth Destroyer Launching (2004)
To build a ``cooperative self-reliant defense posture,’’ the ROK Navy plans to build three KDX-III vessels by 2012. The vessels will be made by Hyundai Heavy Industries. KDX-III class destroyers' highly advanced capabilities (notably AN/SPY-1D radars) makes them closer to cruisers in terms of classification than destroyers. KDX-III class destroyers are often compared to Ticonderoga class cruiser because they both harbor AN/SPY-1 multi-function radar antennas. One notable difference between the KDX-III destroyers and Arleigh Burke class destroyer is that KDX-III class destroyers will be able to hold 128 missiles at once while Arleigh Burke class destroyers hold 96 missiles. KDX-III class destroyers are the world's first destroyers to implement highly advanced AEGIS combat systems with RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile weapons systems. It will also harbor Ram Block1 SAAM and SM-2 Block IIIA (MK 41 VLS 80cel) surface-to-air missiles, CIWS 30mm Goalkeepers, two torpedo mounts in 324mm KMK 32 configuration, 32 cruise missiles, 4 Anti-ship missiles, and 16 Anti-submarine Rockets. Its Mark 41 Vertical Launch System will be able to hold 128 missiles.
 Hae-song (Sea Star) Cruise Missile unveiling (23 Mar 06) (Korea TImes) The Sea Star (Haesung) is a long-range cruise missile to equip the Navy’s Aegis destroyers which will be built from 2008 under the KDX-III program, the officials said. The missile will also outfit the Navy’s advanced vessels, including the 4,000 ton-class KDX-II series equipped with radar-evading stealth technology. W100 billion (US$100 million) has been poured into development of the Haesung cruise missile between 1996 and 2003. Its effective radius is around 150 km. Launched off a warship, submarine or aircraft, the weapon can strike any vessel and even land targets within its 400-500 km range. The missile, which has a longer range than the Styx anti-ship missile and is more accurate, flies just above the surface and is thus difficult to intercept. The ADD has set aside $102 million to develop the state-of-the-art ship-to-ship missile to replace U.S.-made Harpoon missiles. (SITE NOTE: The Defense Ministry currently plans to produce 100 ship-to-ship cruise missiles by 2010. The cruise missile Haeseong, or Sea Star, will be mounted on patrol combat corvettes and other warships. The country will spend 270 billion won ($285 million) on the project. The country has already launched a project to produce 30 ship-to-ship cruise missiles by 2007. The missiles can precisely hit targets located up to 150 kilometers away.) The Blue Shark anti-submarine lightweight torpedo can be launched from both sea vessels and aircraft such as P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, and anti-submarine Super Lynx helicopters, according to the officials. The torpedo, which boasts speeds in excess of 45 knots (83 kilometers per hour), is capable of attacking enemy submarines over 20 kilometers away. It is the seventh such weapon of this kind in the world. Over the last 10 years, W50 billion went into the project. The torpedo measures 32 cm in diameter, 2.7 m in length and weighs 280 kg. Traveling at a maximum speed of 45 knots (83 km/h), it can penetrate an iron sheet of 1.5 m thickness. The torpedo, featuring sonar technology to detect and attack enemy submarines, is capable of penetrating 1.5 meters steel plating to explode within the submarine. The development cost for the Blue Shark since 1995 is $43 million and its price tag per unit is some $867,000, almost half the cost of similar foreign-made torpedoes, the officials said. (Source: Korea Times.) Chonryong Cruise Missile The South Korean military has a cruise missile with a range of 500 kilometers, named ``Chonryong,'' which are being deployed to the guided missile headquarters in the central part of the country in 2006. The cruise missile, dubbed a ``flying bomb,'' is a guided missile which uses a lifting wing and most often a jet propulsion system to allow sustained flight. The self-navigating cruise missile travels at supersonic or high subsonic speeds. It flies in a non-ballistic very low altitude trajectory to avoid radar detection. According to the media, South Korea is allowed to develop ballistic missiles with a range of less than 300 kilometers and able to carry a warhead of less than 500 kilograms under a missile control agreement signed in 2001 with the United States. But the range limit does not apply to cruise missiles according to the ROK "interpretation" of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).  Missile Range (Korea Times); The 300km range missiles refer to the ATACMS multiple-launch system (MLRS) missiles deployed along the DMZ. These missiles are capable of reaching Pyeongyang. Seoul develops 1,000-km cruise missile (Oct 2006) South Korea has developed a cruise missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers to counter North Korea's short- and medium-range missiles. The 1,000-kilometer range means the missile is able to hit strategic targets, including missile bases and nuclear weapons facilities entrenched deep in mountainous areas in the communist country. It is also capable of reaching as far as Beijing and Tokyo. However, officials say the missile is still years away from actual deployment. The source said the state-run Agency for Defense Development is also developing an upgraded version with a range of more than 1,500 kilometers. The entire North Korean landmass is within 500 kilometers of Seoul, and Beijing is 920 kilometers away. "The cruise missile was developed using Korea's own technology. A recent test showed that it can hit the target with an error margin of just five meters," he said. The missile has an automatic navigation system, X-ray camera and geo-location technology. (Source: Korea Herald.) The missile, aided by the Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) system, hit targets with a margin of error of plus or minus five meters during tests. The missile will be part of the arsenal of the Navy's advanced vessels, including the 7,000-ton KDX-III Aegis destroyers that will be built from 2008, the source said, adding the Defense Ministry and the state-run Agency for Defense Development are now developing cruise missiles with a range of 1,500 kilometers. Right after North Korea test-launched several missiles, including the long-range Taepodong-2 capable of hitting Alaska, into the East Sea last July, Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung pledged to develop sophisticated cruise missiles to deter North Korea's missile threat. Yoon said developing long-range cruise missiles does not violate the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) agreed upon between Seoul and Washington in 2001. The MTCR is an informal and voluntary association of countries which share the goal of non-proliferation of unmanned deliverance systems of weapons of mass destruction, and which seeks to coordinate national export licensing efforts to prevent their proliferation. Under the pact, South Korea can build ballistic missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers and a 500 kilogram maximum payload. But the MTCR only applies to high-velocity, free flight ballistic missiles, excluding the slower, surface-skimming cruise weapons. The ministry neither confirmed nor denied the report. Informed sources said the military is worried the announcement of the cruise missile development would provoke its neighbors, including China, Japan and Russia. Currently, a few nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China and Israel, possess long-range cruise missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometers. Pyongyang is believed to have more than 600 Scud and Rodong missiles that can cover South Korea and Japan. The Scuds, or Russian R-11 series missiles, have a range of 130-700 kilometers. The latest version of the Rodong missile, a further development of the Scud, has an estimated 2,000-kilometer range. (Source: Korea Times.) (SITE NOTE: The comments of the MTCR is the ROK "interpretation" of the treaty. In fact, the US simply threw its hands up in disgust as the ROK simply went ahead with the development of the cruise missile despite the limitations of the treaty. The agreement prior to the 2001 prevented the ROK from developing such missiles, but the ROK proceeded regardless of the agreement. The US NEVER agreed to the development of these long-range missiles in violation of the treaty's distance restraints. The US policy has always been to NOT provide the ROK with offensive weapons. May 2006See E-X Project Controversy (May-Sep 2006) for details on the AWACS E-X Project problems.Reports of Potential Taepdong-II Launch (May-July 2006) Taepodong-2 Missile along with Rodong and SCUD-C missiles "test" fired in July. SEE Reports of Potential Taepdong-II Launch (May-July 2006) Plans for Strategic Base on Jeju Island (May 2006) A strategic base for the nation's naval forces will be built in Jeju to accommodate their mobile combat units by 2014. In addition, six next-generation so-called FFX frigates will be built by 2015 with country's own technology. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) made the major investment projects to boost Korea's defense capability on Thursday. Under the plan, docks and both command and backup facilities to accommodate mobile combat units of the Navy will be built on the island. The naval base was originally to be built near Hwasoon Harbor, but the site may change to Wimi-ri. In addition, W1.7 trillion (US $1.7 billion) will be invested in building the 2,300-ton FFX frigates with Korean technology by 2015 to replace the outdated FF frigates. (Source: Chosun Ilbo.) JUNE 2006Korea to Take Part in PAC RIM Exercises The Korean Navy will participate in a U.S.-led international naval exercise later in June near Hawaii. For the Rim of the Pacific drill beginning on June 25, the Navy plans to dispatch the 4,200-ton destroyer Moonmu the Great and the 3,200-ton destroyer Gwanggaeto the Great along with a 1,200-ton submarine, they said. As for aerial backup, a P-3C sea patrol aircraft and two Lynx antisubmarine helicopters will also be sent for the one month-long RIMPAC exercise. Those weapon systems will be operated in simulated war games between eight U.S. Pacific Rim allies including Australia, Canada and Japan. (NOTE: These exercises are part of the move to create a "blue water navy" with regional defense capabilities.)JULY 2006ROK Increase in Defense BudgetSouth Korea’s Ministry of National Defense is seeking a 9.9 percent defense budget increase for 2007, ministry officials confirmed. The proposal, submitted recently to the Ministry of Planning and Budget, seeks about $25 billion for next year, according to the ministry. The extra money will go to modernization projects, troop pay increases and facility expansions, according to local news reports. About 28 percent of the budget will be used to build up military capacity, up from about 26 percent this year.(SITE NOTE: This is still in the 2.8 percent of GDP range and well below what it required -- and will increase to 2.89 percent of GDP by 2011. Big Deal!!! Also this is only a "proposed" budget which has been slashed in committee to well below the 2.8 percent of GDP figures -- as programs are reshuffled. In essence, this "increase" means nothing. The percentage of defense spending will remain low until Roh is out of office -- and then his vaunted social programs will kick in to eat up any monies leaving defense sucking hind-tit.) The military will enhance high-tech surveillance and strike forces for the next five years to build up its self-reliant defense capabilities. Officials said the plan will revolve around three strategic elements of warfare - surveillance, digital warfare and long-range, precision strike capabilities. In the plan, the ministry emphasizes on research and development, allocating 20 percent of the arms buildup expenditure to improve domestic defense technology as well as to pave ways for defense industry development. Subject to the vagaries of defense procurement, Korea hopes to launch a midsize 3,500 ton submarine capable of launching missiles at land targets hundreds of kilometers away next year. The sub will be fitted with 500 km cruise missiles that will significantly boost the country’s attack capabilities, a Defense Ministry official said. The introduction of the submarine will come“at the beginning of the mid-term plans," the official said, hinting that at the earliest the project may be launched in 2007. South Korean troop numbers will shrink by around 35,000 over the next five years and reach a level of 634,000 by 2011. That is an 8.2 percent decrease from near 691,000 in early 2004. The ministry submitted the plans to President Roh Moo-hyun on 11 July. Designed to boost Korea’s independent defense over the next five years, they once again include the much delayed E-X Project to acquire airborne early warning systems, all-purpose satellites, high- and mid-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles, to help Korea achieve independent intelligence gathering abilities. There will also be new mid-air refuelers and large transport planes, plus more F-15K fighter planes and a 7,000 t Aegis ship. The ministry is asking for W150.7 trillion (US$1=W947) over the next five years to pay for the plans, and the defense budget will swell from this year's 2.57 percent of GDP to 2.89 percent in 2011. (Source:Chosun Ilbo.) To beef up the reconnaissance embodied in the concept Sensor, the military will pursue 20 purchasing projects of high-tech reconnaissance and surveillance systems including four Airborne Early Warning aircraft, several multipurpose satellites and unmanned patrol aircraft. Korea is relying on U.S. forces in Korea for a large portion of its surveillance mission. The military also plans to complete the C4I digital warfare system, a network using data collected by reconnaissance units, by 2011. Under the high-tech combat system, headquarters in remote locations and battalion-class units in the battlefield share war theater information on a real-time basis. For upgraded strike forces Shooter, the country will introduce upgraded aircraft such as F-15K fighter jets, T-50 advanced trainer jets and TA-50 light attackers. In addition, the ministry also plans to acquire 20 additional advanced fighter jets of U.S.-made F-15K class in quality. The fighters, to be introduced between 2009 and 2015, will reinforce the Air Force's assault operations along with 40 F-15Ks to be delivered from Boeing Co. by 2008. (SITE NOTE: The ROK first proposed ordering 200 F-15Ks but dropped the order to 40 -- when a minimum of 120 were needed to be used effectively. In 2005, the order was increased to 80 total. The TA-50 still needs to become commercially viable -- which is has not as it is too expensive compared to other aircraft in its class.) Besides air strike capabilities, land strike forces will also be enhanced through acquiring more K1A1 tanks, K-9 self-propelled artillery and multiple launch rocket systems. The planned acquisition of Aegis-equipped destroyers, mid-sized submarines and convoy vessels will beef up naval assault and mobility. The military plans to deploy six 4,200-ton destroyers and three 7,000-ton destroyers with the Aegis combat system by 2012. The navy is also in the process of building six 1,800-ton class next-generation submarines by 2009 under the KSS-II project. The Type 214 submarine will be added to the navy's nine German-made Type 209 submarines (1,200 tons). Six domestic-made 2,300-ton class convoy vessels will also be introduced by 2015 under a project code-named FFX. (SITE NOTE: To cut through the b.s., these ships were contracted to benefit the homegrown industries after the slump threatened to kill many of the heavy maritime industry companies.) The plan also includes the purchase of the Patriot missile system, code-named SAM-X, and satellite-guided missiles called JDAM. The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles, an advanced version of the surface-to-air Patriot missile, will replace the country's aging arsenal of Nike Hercules missiles. (SITE NOTE: This is hogwash. They still have not even procured the USED PAC-2 from Germany after seven years. To use JDAM munitions, the KF-16 aircraft need to undergo modifications.) (Source:Korea Herald.) SEE ROK Army Plans Creation of Army Missile Defense Command (Jul-Sep 2006) for details of Army Missile Defense Command as part of anti-artillery defense of Seoul. SEE Japanese to Launch Two More Spy Satellites (Jan-Jul 2006) for details on the Japanese push to put spy satellites over North Korea. ROK Space Program "On Schedule" (Jan-Jul 2006) Plans to send the Arirang Two, a satellite able to transmit high-resolution images that match those taken by sophisticated surveillance satellites, into orbit this May, and plans to develop a rocket are proceeding as scheduled. "It can distinguish buses and automobiles on the roads," says Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) researcher Dr. Lee Joo-jin, who is charge of the Arirang Two's development. The satellite's camera, developed in cooperation with Israel, has a large concave mirror and countless electronic parts that process and transmit data. Camera resolution has been improved approximately 40 times compared to its predecessor, Arirang One. Arirang Two is currently in its final testing stage. As soon as the tests are over, it will be sent to Russia for launching. About 80 percent of Arirang Two has been produced domestically. Although high-resolution satellite images are for sale on the private market, experts point out that when it comes to satellite images, it is important to be able to obtain information on demand. The Arirang Two can accurately film the Korean peninsula with digital images and provide them on demand. (NOTE: See US to Give Seoul Digital Map. The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency promised to deliver the ``digital topography intelligence" to South Korea in the form of digital maps and video images, which will help South Korean cruise missiles fly close to the ground to avoid radar detection. South Korea's Air Force has also planned to import a military software, named Digital Point Positioning Data Base (DPPDB), from Washington to enhance its ability of attacking underground bunkers. But it has faced troubles, as the software is one of the items that are regulated by the U.S. Arms Export Control Act.) (EPILOGUE: The ROK successfully launched Arirang 2 in Jul 2006. The ROK signed a contract with the French firm SPOT to work on "compensations" of the images to enhance the quality of the images. The image improvements were anticipated to be complete by early 2007.) Another division of KARI is busy designing the KSLV-1, a joint Korea-Russia rocket project that will launch next year. "The first stage liquid-fuel engine is being developed in Russia, while the second stage solid-fuel motor is being developed in Korea," said Dr. Park Jung-joo. About 20 Korean researchers have been sent to Russia as well. After a partial assembly of the rocket system, it will undergo comprehensive testing, and is scheduled to launch sometime in the middle of next year. The Science and Technology Satellite Two that will be loaded onto the rocket has already been developed and in production. Korean Space Center Construction work is in full swing at Korea's new space launch base in Oinalodo, Goheung-gun, Jeonnam, and it will begin test operations in October. "About 60 percent of the facility construction is complete. We plan to test-operate all of the base facilities in October except for the launching pad," Dr. Yoo Jung-joo of KARI said. "If we succeed in launching our rocket with a satellite aboard, Korea's space technology will rank among the world's top ten." (Source: Donga Ilbo.) In Mar 2007, it was announced that Korea would construct a satellite launch pad with all-Korean technology. Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest builder of marine vessels, said Monday that it has won a contract to build a platform for the launch of the KSLV-I at the Naro Space Center on the coast of South Jeolla Province by 2008. Hyundai will build the platform on a turn-key contract with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). In Jun 2007 it was announced that the Naro Space Center, under construction on one of Korea’s southern islands, will make South Korea the 13th nation in the world to have such a center. On June 1, construction of the space center was nearly completed on Oenaro Island, the southernmost island belonging to Dadohae National Marine Park, Goheung, South Jeolla Province. As of the end of May 2007, 98.1 percent of the construction process was completed. Most important facilities - except for the launchpad - will soon be totally finished. Kim Min-hyeon, an official of the center, said, "By year-end, we will have finished our inspection of each facility. In consideration of the scheduled satellite launch, we will decide when to open the space center." The project is expected to cost more than 320 billion won ($US345 million). Min Gyeong-ju, director of the space center, said, "When the center opens, the nation will be the 13th nation to have one. Besides, if Korea completes its planned satellite launch here at Naro Space Center around October next year, it will be the ninth country to join the so-called "space club," a group of countries which have succeeded in launching satellites by themselves. Russia, the U.S., France, Japan, China, England, India, and Israel currently make up this group. South Korea has so far used space centers in foreign countries to launch its 11 satellites. The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) planned to launch the first satellite this fall, but the plan was delayed due to negotiations lasting longer than expected on the Korea-Russia Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA), which aims to prevent the technology that Russia transfers to Korea from leaking to a third party. Both countries finally signed a deal in October 2006. In June 2007, Russia's parliament ratified the technology cooperation pact that removes the last remaining hurdle to South Korea's space program. "The Russian Senate passed the Technology Safeguard Agreement on 7 June that outlines the transfer and protection of sensitive rocket technology and parts," a press release by the Ministry of Science and Technology said. It said the pact will go into effect in late June 2007. Lee Cheol-hyeong, an official of the center, said, "We received a detailed design of a launchpad from Russia in April. Even if the design is not ours, we will construct a launchpad using our technology." The KARI is going to build the second launchpad itself, using technology accumulated through the construction of the first launching facility. The nation will then launch a scientific technology satellite in fall of 2008 using KSLV-1 projectile manufactured in Russia, but the projectile is slated to be Korean-made by 2015. The space center will also have a 3,000-pyeong (9,900-square-meter) hall where children can learn the scientific principles behind satellites and rockets. (Source: Hankyoreh News.) Arirang 2 to be Launched in July 2006 along with Koreasat-5??? The South Korean government said on 20 Feb that it plans to launch its new "Arirang 2" multipurpose satellite in July to boost the country's expertise in the aerospace industry. The new satellite will house a high-resolution multi-spectral camera (MSC) jointly developed by a local firm and Electro Optical Industries Ltd. of Israel. The camera can capture imagery with a 1-meter resolution, the Ministry of Science and Technology said. (Source: Yonhap News.) (NOTE: This was a surprise announcement after the January announcement that launch would be in the middle of next year in Russia. Arirang 2 was scheduled for launch in July 2006 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, about 200-kilometers northeast of Moscow. Supposedly last minute checks of the Arirang 2 were underway in Mar 2006.) (EPILOGUE: The ROK successfully launched Arirang 2 in Jul 2006. The ROK signed a contract with the French firm SPOT to work on "compensations" of the images to enhance the quality of the images. The image improvements were anticipated to be complete by early 2007.) South Korea's fourth commercial, and first military-purpose satellite Koreasat-5 was to be shot into the orbit from the southern Pacific Ocean near Hawaii in July according to Korea Telecom (KT). (NOTE: We are NOT certain if this is the Arirang-2 as described in this article.) The nation's dominant fixed-line operator said that the new satellite will be launched from a floating launch platform located at a point near the equator and 154 degrees west in longitude by an international venture firm Sea Launch. It is the first satellite from South Korea, and the 23rd in the world, to be launched from an open sea. The sea launch results in a 30 percent cost savings. (Source: Korea Times.) (SITE NOTE: The launch was rescheduled for August 2006.) The Koreasat-5, also dubbed as South Korea's national flower ``Mugunghwa-5,'' was also be the first satellite to service the military officially. Koreasat-5 was put into orbit some 36,000 kilometers above the earth surface. Safety, cost issues as well as international laws were taken into consideration in selecting the launching site. The new satellite replaced the Koreasat-2, which had been on service for ten years since 1996. South Korea currently has 7 satellites in operation but only two satellites of KT are geo-stationary, which means they float in the same location and rotate at the same pace as the earth, in order to continuously transmit TV and other communication signals. (NOTE: On 22 Apr 2007 the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it would assume control of the country's first military communications satellite from a private company. "The military will serve as the main controller of the Mugunghwa-5 satellite for six months from Tuesday, with KT Corp. as assistant controller," the JCS said. It will be the primary controller for six months with KT as the assistant controller, after which KT will resume control for a year.) The maritime launch of Koreasat-5 will be operated by an international venture Sea Launch, which is the only company in the world to be able to do so. It was founded in 1995, and the U.S. aircraft maker Boeing is its largest shareholder with a 40-percent share. Companies in Rus |
