News Story: President Moon vows strong 'punishment' against N. Korea

South Korean President Moon Jae-in

SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday his administration will, through strong pressure, leave North Korea with no choice but to abandon its nuclear and missile programs.

He described the North's threats as the "most serious and urgent security issue in this region at the current moment" while delivering a video message for the opening of the 10th Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (PACC) in Seoul.

"North Korea should realize that dialogue and cooperation, not nukes and missiles, are the only means to protect its security and guarantee a bright future," the president said.

He stressed that South Korea will seek "powerful punishment," based on international cooperation, against the North for its provocative acts and continued development of the weapons.

"By doing so, we will make North Korea have no other choice but to give up its nuclear weapons and missiles," Moon said.

In a keynote speech, meanwhile, former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also urged Pyongyang to abide by international rules.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Story: Pacific army chiefs' meeting to open in Seoul

SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Yonhap) -- A meeting of top army officers from Indo-Asia-Pacific countries will open in Seoul later Monday amid escalating tensions over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, South Korea's Army said.

The biennial Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (PACC) will bring together army chiefs of staff and senior commanders from 29 nations, co-hosted by South Korea's Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Yong-woo and his American counterpart Mark A. Milley.

China is also sending a three-star general to the session scheduled to run through Thursday under the theme "Unity of Effort: Building Civil-Military Partnerships in Land Force Response to Non-Traditional Security Threats."

It will be the first visit by a high-level Chinese military official since South Korea and the United States agreed to deploy the advanced THAAD missile defense system on the peninsula last year.

The PACC will kick off with a keynote speech by former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Grand Hyatt Seoul hotel.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Story: Pacific Army chiefs to discuss N. Korea in Seoul next week

SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- Top Army officers from Indo-Asia-Pacific countries will gather in Seoul next week for a biennial meeting on North Korea and other security threats, South Korea's Army said Monday.

The four-day Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (PACC) will open Monday under the theme "Unity of Effort: Building Civil-Military Partnerships in Land Force Response to Non-Traditional Security Threats."

It will bring together army chiefs of staff and senior commanders from 29 nations, the Army said. It will be co-hosted by South Korea's Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Yong-woo and his American counterpart Mark A. Milley.

China is sending a three-star general to the session as the head of its delegation, a defense source said.

It will be the first visit by a high-level Chinese military official since South Korea and the U.S. agreed to deploy the advanced THAAD missile defense system on the peninsula more than a year ago.

Kim plans to hold bilateral talks with the chief Chinese delegate, added the source.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

USA: Swift joins naval leaders in Seoul for International Seapower Symposium

From U.S. Naval Forces Korea Public Affairs

Adm. Scott Swift delivers the keynote address during the International Seapower Symposium in Seoul, Sept. 5. (U.S. Navy/MCSN William Carlisle) >>

SEOUL, Republic of Korea - Adm. Scott Swift, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet joined other naval leaders and subject matter experts from around the Asia-Pacific region to discuss the maritime security environment throughout East Asia during the 13th International Seapower Symposium (ISS) in Seoul, Sept. 5.

This year’s theme, “Rapid Changes in East Asia Maritime Security: Outlook and Challenges,” seeks to advance maritime cooperation at regional levels by bringing together the area’s foremost naval and maritime services to openly exchange ideas that will strengthen the safety, security, and prosperity of East Asia.

The symposium, hosted by Adm. Um, Hyun-Sung, the Republic of Korea (ROK) chief of naval operations, featured a key-note address from Swift highlighting the importance of not just the peninsula but he entire Indo-pacific region.

News Story: Defense seminar in Sri Lanka to discuss efforts against extremism

COLOMBO, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday inaugurated the annual Colombo Defence Seminar which will discuss global efforts to counter violent extremism.

The two-day international seminar is attended by over 91 foreign military and civil scholars from across the globe.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne said this year's seminar which will be held on the theme of Countering Violent Extremism with the objective of establishing intellectual connectivity on preserving strategic national, regional and global security.

With many countries facing the threat of violence, the defense secretary said it was important for countries to maintain collective defense strategies as no country in solitude could counter the situation.

Read the full story at Xinhua

USA: Pacific commanders discuss advancing Indo-Asia-Pacific maritime security

By Lt. Timothy Gorman, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Pacific Warfighter Symposium participants gather for a group photo with Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Aug. 14. (U.S. Navy/MC1 Phillip Pavlovich) >>

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Twenty-five commanding officers from throughout the U.S. Pacific Fleet convened Aug. 14-15 during the second annual Pacific Warfighter Symposium (PWS) held at U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters.

Originally called the Far East Commanders' Conference, this by-commanders, for-commanders forum provides an opportunity to discuss how best to advance Indo-Asia-Pacific regional maritime security while broadening operational perspectives across aviation, surface, submarine, and SEAL leadership.

“The expansive Pacific theater and the dynamic growth of technologies makes this face-to-face gathering as important as ever,” said symposium director, Cmdr. Guy Snodgrass. “Other navies aren’t standing still and our combat unit leadership needs to understand winning battles in an increasingly competitive maritime environment demands our best.”

News Story: Vietnam attends chiefs of defence conference on UN peacekeeping

New York (VNA) – A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnam People’s Army attended the Chiefs of Defence Conference on United Nations peacekeeping in New York, the US, on July 6-7.

Sen. Lt. Gen. Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of the army’s General Staff and deputy head of the Vietnamese defence ministry’s steering board for participation in UN peacekeeping, led the Vietnamese delegation to the event.

The conference was attended by heads of the defence force from more than 140 UN member countries which engage in peacekeeping activities, along with representatives of such organisations as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the European Union, and the African Union.

In his opening remarks, UN Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix highly valued substantial contributions by countries volunteering peacekeepers, including Vietnam, to the peace stabilisation, war consequences settlement, humanitarian aid to refugees, and environmental protection.

He stressed the need for higher unanimity in the UN member countries’ resolve to cope with existing urgent issues that affect the future of peacekeeping operations such as field assistance, women’s role, swift force deployment, and some measures for improving the efficiency of the peacekeeping force.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: President Xi says CICA meeting to contribute to regional peace

BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping said the non-governmental forum of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) will contribute to regional peace and stability, and common prosperity.

The two-day meeting of the forum, which carries the theme "25 Years of CICA: for Asia's Security and Development," began Wednesday in Beijing, and the Chinese president sent a congratulatory letter to the forum's second meeting.

The non-governmental forum was established based on a proposal by Xi at the Shanghai Summit of the CICA in May 2014. The first meeting was held in May 2015, offering a new channel for publicizing CICA security concept and promoting regional security governance.

Xi said in the letter that the CICA, which celebrates its 25th anniversary of founding this year, has served the common expectations of Asian countries seeking security and development in the region.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Afghanistan to host int'l conference on security, reconciliation on June 6 - diplomat

ISLAMABAD, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan will hold an international conference on peace, security and reconciliation next week at a time when Taliban insurgents have intensified attacks and killed dozens of policemen over the past few days, a senior Afghan diplomat said here on Monday.

Zardasht Shams, deputy head of the Mission at the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad, said over 20 countries have been invited to the conference in Kabul on June 6.

"The Kabul Process meeting will be held by the instructions of President (Ashraf Ghani) to bring various processes or meetings on Afghanistan under one umbrella," Shams told Xinhua.

He said that anti-terrorism cooperation is also one of the key issues to be discussed by senior diplomats and officials from these countries.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Australian PM to deliver keynote speech at Shangri-La Dialogue

Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull
(Image: Wiki Commons)

Singapore (VNA) – Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will be the keynote speaker at the annual 16th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from June 2-4. 

Organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the dialogue will be divided into six sessions featuring the US and security in the Asia-Pacific; upholding a rule-based regional order; new challenges for crisis management in the Asia-Pacific; changes to geo-politics and defence policies; building common foundation for regional security; and global threats and regional security. 

The event will also examine nuclear danger in the Asia-Pacific and practical measures to avoid conflict at sea, among others. 

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: Malaysian PM calls for partnership in anti-terrorism fight

Malaysian PM Najib Razak
(Image: Wiki Commons)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on May 20 called for a new partnership between the Muslim world and the US to fight against terrorism.

“It is up to all of us at this summit to forge this partnership, and prove, once and for all, that there is no clash of civilisations, with the Muslim world on one side and the West on the other,” he wrote in a statement published in Al Riyadh newspaper of Saudi Arabia on the threshold on the US-Arab Islamic Summit. 

“There is only a clash with civilization, and on that we all – members of all religions – must stand united together as one; firm, determined, and ready to act,” he wrote.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: Beijing holds security cooperation dialogue on Belt and Road Initiative

BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- A security cooperation dialogue on the Belt and Road Initiative, attended by officials from more than 20 countries, was held Thursday in Beijing.

Enhancing international cooperation to tackle risks and safeguard security for the Belt and Road Initiative is the common task for all countries, said Meng Jianzhu, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Meng called on attendees to make full use of the dialogue to enhance exchanges of information and deepen security and law-enforcement cooperation.

More than 100 countries and international organizations have already joined the Belt and Road Initiative, a China-proposed trade and infrastructure plan connecting Asia with Europe and Africa.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Non-nuclear nations to push for int'l nuclear weapon ban treaty at U.N. confab

NEW YORK -- A United Nations conference to negotiate a treaty outlawing nuclear weapons is set to open at U.N. Headquarters here on March 27, with a tug-of-war expected between nuclear powers and non-nuclear countries, and Japan's presence as the world's only atomic-bombed country thrust into the spotlight.

About 40 countries, including nuclear powers and countries that are under the U.S. nuclear umbrella, are expected to boycott the conference on the Nuclear Weapons Convention, while non-nuclear nations are seeking to introduce a ban treaty at an early date.

"It will be an historic treaty," said one member supporting the global pact, as survivors of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as members of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and other citizens groups arrived in New York ahead of the conference.

At a U.N. General Assembly meeting in December last year, it was decided that the conference will be held in two parts, the first of which is scheduled for March 27-31. The first round of talks is expected to focus on the purpose, content and format of the treaty, and will apparently be led by Austria, Mexico and other countries underlining the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons. By banning nuclear weapons under international law and creating a global norm that the use of nuclear weapons is a crime, countries rallying behind the treaty are hoping it will apply pressure on nuclear powers.

Opinions are, however, divided over the scope of the nuclear weapons ban under the treaty. Issues include whether only the use of nuclear arms should be prohibited, or if the ban should be extended to their possession, development, production and transfer.

Read the full story at The Mainichi

News Story: Pakistan-Afghanistan dialogue to start in Islamabad Monday

ISLAMABAD, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani and Afghan lawmakers, former officials, members of civil society and media will hold a three-day dialogue here from Monday to explore ways to bring ties closer, organizers said on Sunday.

Independent think tank the Center for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad and the Kabul-based Women & Peace Studies Organization will hold the talks at a time when tensions have affected bilateral official contacts.

The last week meeting of senior Pakistani and Afghan advisers in London led to the reopening of the border after nearly a month and both sides also agreed on "bilateral engagement."

However, a follow-up meeting has not yet been held since the advisers' meeting on March 15.

The civil delegates will also hold meetings with senior Pakistani officials including Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz and National Security Adviser Nasir Janjua. Some of them will also speak to students at two major universities.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: East (South China) Sea security conference held in Poland

Prague (VNA) – Security in the East Sea came under the spotlight at a recent conference held at the Civitas University in Warsaw, Poland, drawing the attendance of local researchers, students and the Vietnamese community.

The event was held by the Centre for Poland-Asia Studies (CSPA), the Vietnamese Culture and Science Institute under Almamer University, Collegium Civitas in collaboration with Le Qui Don club.

At the conference, professors Tadeusz Iwinski, Pawel Behrendt and Oskar Pietrewicz of the CSPA and Dr. La Duc Trung from the Vietnamese Culture and Science Institute presented reports on the East Sea situation and disputes among countries related to the waters.

Reports all confirmed that maintaining security at the East Sea plays a very important role in ensuring freedom of maritime navigation and maintaining trade among countries in the world.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

USA: Pacific F-35 Symposium Concludes in Hawaii

An Australian F-35 Lightning II

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Kamaile Chan

Pacific Air Forces

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii, March 17, 2017 — Senior military officers from nations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region gathered here this week for the first Pacific Air Forces-hosted F-35 Symposium to discuss the future of the joint strike fighter’s operations in the Pacific.

"The F-35 is not just a new fighter, it's a fundamentally different capability," Air Force Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander, said during his opening remarks. "From the technology to the integrated training, it brings an unprecedented combination of lethality, survivability and adaptability to the fight. The F-35 is the backbone of future joint and combined air operations."

As the Pacific's center of excellence, Pacific Air Forces will shape all aspects of employment and integration for fifth-generation aircraft in the region, enhancing bilateral relations among Pacific allies.

Subject-matter experts from Japan, Australia and South Korea -- as well as the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force -- participated in open discussions, briefings and expert panels focused on setting the stage for future F-35 operations in the Pacific.

The two-day symposium March 14 and 15 provided an opportunity for U.S. Pacific allies to meet with experts from the F-35 Joint Program Office, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps to learn more about fifth-generation aviation.

USA: Pacific allies, partner nations to meet for first Pacific F-35 Symposium

Australia's 1st F-35A

Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) -- JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) -- The F-35 Lightning II will take center stage during the Pacific Air Forces’ inaugural F-35 Symposium next week. The two-day conference will mark the largest gathering of F-35 experts to include senior officers and warfighters from Japan, Australia, South Korea as well as the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.

Japan, Australia and South Korea are among the 11 countries in the F-35 program and represent the future of fifth-generation aviation in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. International attendees will participate in a series of open discussions and briefings with the objective of enhancing F-35 operations in the Pacific, sharing fifth-generation lessons learned, and building a foundation for future F-35 bilateral and multilateral engagements. Topics will include bed down, integration, logistics, sustainment and combat operations.

“This symposium marks an exciting new chapter in Pacific combat capability. Together, our joint and international partners have introduced the most capable combat aircraft in the world to the Pacific,” said Brig. Gen. Craig Wills, PACAF’s strategy, plans and programs director.

News Story: Summit pledges to build Indian Ocean a stable, well-being region

JAKARTA, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Leaders and senior representatives of at the 20th summit of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) on Tuesday signed the official document, dubbed the Jakarta Concord, pledging to build a stable, well-being region.

In the document entitled "Promoting Regional Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable, and Prosperous Indian Ocean", IORA member countries pledged their commitments to build Indian Ocean into a stable, well-being region through cooperation in various sectors with several priorities need to be addressed on.

The document serves as foundations to guide 21 IORA member countries in tackling the regional and global challenges, leads to creation of improved cooperation among member countries in the future.

Priorities include promoting maritime security, trade and investment improvement, promote and develop a sustainable and accountable fishery sector, improve the management to anticipate disaster risk, strengthen cooperation on knowledge and science, encouraging tourism industry and cultural exchange, promote 'blue economy' drive and improving women's role in the economy.

Besides signing the Jakarta Concord, dignitaries also approved IORA declaration on terrorism and extremism prevention.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that the presence of representatives at the summit have expressed the eagerness of IORA member countries to seek international cooperation for the interests of each respective nation.

"Each nation should prioritize its nationalism. But nationalism would not survive without internationalism," the president said in his remarks to open the leaders' summit session here, advising on the need to establish international cooperation to address national interests.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Indonesia to host Indian Ocean Rim Association Summit

Jakarta (VNA) – The first Summit of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is scheduled to take place in Indonesia on March 7 to promote navigation cooperation for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Director General for Asia-Pacific and African Affairs under Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Desra Percaya said the summit will stress on the implementation of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to avoid potential conflicts in the region.

The meeting is set to issue a ministerial action plan for the next four years and a declaration on preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

USA: Optimizing Pacific Fleet’s cybersecurity team for the future

By MC2 Tamara Vaughn, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Scott Swift delivers opening remarks during the Fleet Cybersecurity Waterfront Training Symposium. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Tamara Vaughn) >>

PEARL HARBOR – Cybersecurity leaders from Pacific Fleet commands discussed new cybersecurity practices during the U.S. Pacific Fleet 2017 Fleet Cybersecurity Waterfront Training Symposium held at PACFLT headquarters Feb. 13-16.

“The symposium was an opportunity to drill down on an increasingly important challenge,” said Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Like damage control or safety, cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, but it starts with leadership. Discussions like this are a great starting point, and I encourage participants to take advantage of this opportunity to compare notes and look at ways to manage risks while also ensuring their Sailors know the basics.”

According to Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) website, cybersecurity involves a range of situations, capabilities, and threats. Attacks such as viruses and worms, malware and trojans have grown in sophistication over the recent years. These types of challenges can affect many aspects of daily life – transportation, essential utilities, finances, and communications just to name a few.