US space weapons move has ‘broken taboo’, could spark new arms race, Beijing forum told

South China Morning Post - Sep 19, 2026

The US deployment of space weapons has shattered a long-held taboo and risks igniting a fresh arms race, with the world at a “breaking point in history”, speakers at a major security conference in Beijing have warned. Experts at the Xiangshan Forum this week also called for US-China dialogue on space security, just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping makes his first state visit to the US in more than a decade. US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink – the civilian head of the department that...

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NK leader calls for 'most concentrated and destructive' artillery capability

NK leader calls for 'most concentrated and destructive' artillery capability

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for his country's artillery forces to have the "most concentrated and destructive" capabilities as he visited major munitions factories earlier this week, state media reported Saturday. Kim inspected munitions enterprises from Wednesday to Friday, accompanied by senior officials, including Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "Our artillery should have the most concentrated and destructive, massive and versatile offensive capability and responsibly perform the two missions of deterring and fighting war," the KCNA quoted Kim as saying. Kim said the munitions industry should play a bigger role in carrying out the strategic policy of the ruling Workers' Party to build the "most powerful army," according to the KCNA. He outlined policy tasks, including enhancing the level of artificial intelligence of offensive and defensive weapons, upgrading the armor and automation of artillery weapons, and improving production conditions, it said. Kim appears

N. Korea rejects IAEA resolution, vows to maintain nuclear force amid US threats

N. Korea rejects IAEA resolution, vows to maintain nuclear force amid US threats

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, on Saturday rejected a recent resolution by the U.N. nuclear watchdog against Pyongyang's nuclear program, vowing to maintain the credibility of the country's nuclear capabilities in the face of what she called nuclear threats from the United States and others. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted the resolution at its 70th General Conference in Vienna on Thursday, reaffirming that North Korea cannot have nuclear-weapons-state status under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and calling on Pyongyang to immediately cease all related activities. "The IAEA forcibly adopted an anti-DPRK 'resolution' that takes issue with our country's self-defensive and legitimate nuclear activities while turning a blind eye to the grave reality that our security environment is constantly exposed to external nuclear threats," Kim said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim's statement came two days af

Cheong Wa Dae says Lee's 'no war intervention' remark not a rejection of Trump's Hormuz request

Cheong Wa Dae says Lee's 'no war intervention' remark not a rejection of Trump's Hormuz request

Cheong Wa Dae said Saturday that President Lee Jae Myung's remarks ruling out troop dispatches that could involve the country in a war were not a refusal of U.S. President Donald Trump's request for Seoul to send forces to the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The presidential office clarified the position after the New York Times reported that Lee's comments at a press conference Friday amounted to a rejection of Trump's appeal for Seoul's military cooperation in the Middle East. "Lee did not turn down Trump's request for Korea's cooperation on Middle East-related issues during yesterday's press conference," a presidential official told reporters on condition of anonymity. "The government has been reviewing practical ways to contribute in close communication with the international community, including the United States, in order to protect our citizens and safeguard national interests." Seoul will continue to examine concrete options under its stated principle of not intervening in a war or combat, the official added. On Friday, Lee said during the nationally televised press conference that "

Kim withdraws as justice minister nominee

Kim withdraws as justice minister nominee

Justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won withdrew his nomination on Saturday following allegations concerning his involvement in a COVID-19 treatment and approval of its clinical trials. “After much deliberation, I decided to step down as the nominee for justice minister. I apologize for failing to live up to your expectations,” Kim said during a press conference at the National Assembly. The move comes after a parliamentary committee adopted his confirmation hearing report Thursday amid objections from the main opposition People Power Party over the allegations. Kim, a two-term lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), served as a judge at the Jeonju District Court and the Suwon District Court before joining the presidential office under the liberal Moon Jae-in administration, where he worked in the office of political affairs. He was elected to the 21st National Assembly in 2020 and later served as DPK's legal affairs committee chief.

Korea, US vow to strengthen cooperation to accelerate wartime OPCON transition in defense talks

Korea, US vow to strengthen cooperation to accelerate wartime OPCON transition in defense talks

Korea and the United States pledged to reinforce cooperation to accelerate the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) to Seoul from Washington during their senior-level defense talks this week, a joint statement said Friday. The allies held the 29th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) in Korea's southeastern city of Busan from Wednesday to Friday, as President Lee Jae Myung's administration seeks to retake wartime OPCON before the end of its term in 2030. "Both sides evaluated the work to modernize the alliance in the face of an evolving security environment," they said in the statement. "They also assessed progress on the Conditions-based Wartime Operational Control Transition Plan, and pledged to strengthen cooperation to accelerate the transition of wartime OPCON," they added. Seoul and Washington have been working on the conditions-based OPCON transfer since they agreed on it in October 2014. The conditions include Korea's capabilities to lead combined Korea-U.S. forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to suc

Lee considering creation of dedicated body for youth policies

Lee considering creation of dedicated body for youth policies

President Lee Jae Myung said Saturday he is considering establishing a dedicated organization to oversee youth policies. Lee raised the idea during a ceremony to mark Youth Day at the presidential office, noting the difficulties faced by young people in the job market. "With the capabilities of current policymakers, it is difficult to emerge from this emergency situation," he said. "Opportunities for the new generation are decreasing with growing polarization and industrial restructuring due to artificial intelligence." Young job seekers have faced an increasingly tough market, with the employment rate for those aged 20 to 24 at 41.3 percent in the second quarter, compared with the 2025 average of 43.6 percent, according to government data.

Incheon airport braces for record foreign arrivals, with up to 60,000 expected per day

Incheon airport braces for record foreign arrivals, with up to 60,000 expected per day

More than 50,000 foreign nationals are expected to enter Korea through Incheon International Airport each day from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, around China's National Day holiday on Oct. 1, prompting immigration authorities to activate emergency measures. According to the Incheon Airport Immigration Office under the Ministry of Justice, Thursday, between 198,000 and 220,000 foreign nationals are expected to enter the country through Incheon International Airport over the four-day period. That translates to an average of 49,500 to 55,000 arrivals per day, well above the daily average of 45,640 recorded from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 last year. The number of foreign arrivals is expected to reach as many as 60,000 on Oct. 2, ahead of the weekend. That would slightly exceed this year's record high of 59,000 foreign arrivals in a single day. In response, the Incheon Airport Immigration Office will implement emergency measures for four days starting Sept. 30. The number of immigration officers assigned to arrival halls will be increased to 188, up from 128 during normal operations and 166 during special mea

Peace Corps Volunteers gather in Seoul, possibly for last time

Peace Corps Volunteers gather in Seoul, possibly for last time

Korea was in a much different state of development when U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) arrived in Korea for the first time, on Sept. 16, 1966. Sixty years later, 17 members of this first cohort, classified as K-1, returned to Korea to celebrate the mission's "hwangap," or 60th birthday. "Sixty years ago, you came to Korea as young volunteers," Song Guido, president of the Korea Foundation (KF), told the assembled PCVs during a dinner at The Plaza Seoul hotel, where they were joined by family members, Korean former co-workers and other members of Friends of Korea (FOK), a nonprofit organization founded by PCVs in 2002. "You came to teach, to work, but you also became part of communities, and formed friendships that have lasted for 60 years. Looking around this room tonight, we can see that this connection is still very much alive." "My friendship with three former PCVs helped shape my image of America," said Yoon Young-kwan, a former foreign minister of Korea. "PCVs have built that human connection as an important moment in Korea's history, and FOK has helped sustain it across genera

Somali piracy rise tests China’s long-running Gulf of Aden mission

Somali piracy rise tests China’s long-running Gulf of Aden mission

For more than a decade, China has deployed warships to the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. For much of that time, piracy in the region has been in sharp decline. Now, however, with attacks at their highest reported level since 2013 and other naval forces engaged in crises elsewhere, Beijing’s long-running escort mission is being tested. The renewed attacks and hijacking for ransom come as the US Navy focuses on operations connected to the war on Iran, and India sends ships towards the...

Stray Kids' Bang Chan donates $143,915 for rehabilitation patients, Nepal relief

Stray Kids' Bang Chan donates $143,915 for rehabilitation patients, Nepal relief

Bang Chan of K-pop boy band Stray Kids has donated 200 million won ($143,915) to help patients requiring rehabilitation and support Nepal flood relief efforts, his agency said Saturday. JYP Entertainment said that Bang has delivered 100 million won each to the Seoul Rehabilitation Hospital and the Korean Committee for UNICEF. The funds will be used to establish rehabilitation centers tailored to the ages and specific medical conditions of patients at the hospital, and to support UNICEF Korea's flood relief operations in Nepal. "I wanted to offer a little comfort to those going through exhausting and difficult times," Bang said in a release. "I sincerely hope many people can regain their peaceful daily lives as soon as possible." This is not the singer's first charitable contribution. On Oct. 3 last year, marking his birthday, he donated 100 million won to pediatric and adolescent patients and another 100 million won to support children worldwide. Also last year, he contributed funds alongside his bandmates to support recovery efforts for massive forest fires in the Gyeongsang provinces, a

BTS, Cortis land 3rd nomination at 2026 MTV Video Music Awards

BTS, Cortis land 3rd nomination at 2026 MTV Video Music Awards

K-pop supergroup BTS and rookie Cortis have secured a third nomination at this year's MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), entering the race for Best Group alongside fellow K-pop acts BLACKPINK and Katseye. The additional nominations, announced Friday (U.S time), bring BTS' total to three. The group was previously nominated for Song of the Year and Best K-pop for "Swim," the lead track of its fifth studio album, "ARIRANG." The septet won the category for four consecutive times from 2019 to 2022, making it the most decorated act in the awards' history. Eight acts will compete for Best Group, including the four K-pop acts and British girl group Flo, this year. Cortis was previously nominated for Best New Artist and Best K-pop. The 2026 VMAs will be held on Sept. 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and broadcast live on major U.S. channels. The awards are considered one of the four major music award ceremonies in the United States.

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