South Korea

Trump on South Korea: We can't protect if they're not there to help us.

South Korean troops fired warning shots last week after North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line on the eastern DMZ. The North Koreans withdrew immediately. No casualties, no exchange of fire. It marks the first MDL violation of 2026 and is assessed as likely accidental.

-Reuters.

South Korea's presidential office says it "looks forward to meaningful talks" between the U.S. and North Korea.

The statement came after Trump ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce joint military exercises with Seoul, citing his relationship with Kim Jong Un.

Trump ordered Pete Hegseth to sharply reduce U.S. South Korea military exercises, calling them costly and an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea.

North Korea: We must maintain a reactive strike capability that would not allow South Korea to survive if it attempts to acquire nuclear submarines.

Ukrainian President Zelensky says North Korea plans to send up to 50,000 troops to Russia to aid its war effort. He is calling on South Korea to increase cooperation with Kiev.

Ukrainian President Zelensky:

A decision has been made regarding 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans being on Russian territory.

They are studying this war.

We have already found North Korean missiles on Ukrainian territory. They have already been used to carry out strikes. Today, this is an acknowledged fact.

South Korea should have much closer cooperation with Ukraine. We are open to this.

North Korea has launched a ballistic missile towards the East Sea, Japan and South Korea says.

Contributed by @AZ_Intel_.

North Korea launched an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea, South Korea's military says.

Several people were arrested after storming the U.S. Army's Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, chanting anti-U.S. slogans.

A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Seok-yeol to 18 months for making false statements during his 2022 campaign.

South Korea's former First Lady Kim Geun-hee sentenced to seven years for bribery.

Massive fire at a logistics center in Gimpo, South Korea. More than a dozen buildings destroyed.

Seoul: North Korean soldiers captured fighting for Russia in Ukraine can resettle in South Korea if they choose. The government opposes forced repatriation of POWs to either Russia or North Korea.

South Korea sentenced former Justice Minister Park Sung-ja to 25 years over the former president's failed coup.

Non-Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is up despite the blockade. Vessels flagged in Singapore, the UAE, South Korea and Norway among those exiting the Gulf. - Lloyd's List Intelligence

South Korea is summoning Iran's ambassador to protest an attack on a ship near the Strait of Hormuz. The foreign ministry demanded Iran take responsible measures to prevent further incidents.

North Korea fires several missiles, including at least one short-range ballistic missile, toward waters off its west coast, South Korea military says.

South Korea's Foreign Minister confirms a Korean vessel is passing through the Strait of Hormuz. - Yonhap

U.S. Secretary of War/Defense Pete Hegseth:

"Today, I welcomed the Republic of Korea’s Minister of National Defense, Ahn Gyu-back, to the Pentagon.

We reaffirmed the strength of the alliance and discussed readiness, posture, and shared responsibility for collective defense."

BIG: South Korea Vows Retaliation After HMM Namu Cargo Ship Attacked in Strait of Hormuz

South Korea condemns the attack on the Namou cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

South Korea has released images showing the damage to the cargo ship HMM NAMU from last week's Iranian attack. Two strikes hit the stern, causing severe engine room damage.

Iran's embassy in Seoul denied that Iran attacked a South Korean oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, after Yonhap reported a possible attack on a Korean vessel in the strait. - Fars News