– US Naval War College Review – Since its provocations against Yeonpyeong Island on 23 November 2010, North Korea’s asymmetric threats have emerged as one of the most momentous security issues for the Republic of Korea (ROK). After bitter defeats in the First and Second Yeonpyeong Sea Battles, as well as in the Daechung Sea Battle of No- vember 2009, North Korea recognized its disadvantage in symmetric surface-ship provocations. It resorted instead to new and unexpected tactics, utilizing its latest small submarine to torpedo ROKS Cheonan on 26 March 2010.

– AFP – South Korea will build a naval base near an island claimed by both Seoul and Tokyo so that its warships can deploy faster than Japan’s in case of disputes.

– BBC – Demonstrators are gathering on the South Korean island of Jeju to protest at construction of a new naval base.

– BBC – South Korean navy commandos have stormed a cargo ship which had been seized by pirates in the Arabian Sea.

– The Diplomat – In the second article on Asia’s navies, a look at the South Korean Navy’s blue-water naval ambitions.

BBC – South Korea begins massive military drill

South Korea has launched its biggest-ever anti-submarine exercises, the military says, despite warnings of retaliation from the North.

Washington Post – U.S. debates joining S. Korean military exercises

The Obama administration is wrestling over whether to send an aircraft carrier to take part in military exercises with South Korea in what would amount to a significant show of force after the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship in March.

Defense Technology International – Team Spirit Revival

The U.S. and South Korea will undertake new joint exercises in the wake of the sinking of the South Korean Cheonan frigate.

Associated Press – Clues suggest North Korean sub behind warship attack

Experts say North Korea’s submarine fleet is technologically backward, prone to sinking or running aground and all but useless outside its own coastal waters. And yet many are asking: Could it have been responsible for the explosion that sank a South Korean warship in March? And if so, how could a sub have slipped through the defenses of South Korea, which, with significant American backing, maintains a fleet far more sophisticated than its northern neighbor’s?

BBC – South Korea vows to retaliate over warship sinking

South Korea’s defence minister has said those responsible for the deaths of 46 sailors on board a warship that sank after an explosion must “pay a price”.

BBC – South Korean warship sunk by ‘close-range explosion’

Last month’s mysterious sinking of a South Korean warship was due to a “close-range” explosion under the ship, a preliminary inquiry has found.

Economist – Playing for time

If North Korea did deliberately destroy a South Korean warship, what next?

BBC – South Korea raises bow of sunken warship

South Korea has raised the front half of a warship which sank last month near the disputed sea border with the North.

BBC – South Korean president in vow over sunken warship

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has vowed to respond “resolutely” to the sinking of a warship last month near the sea border with the North.

BBC – North Korea denies sinking South’s warship

North Korea has denied sinking a South Korean warship near their disputed maritime border last month.

BBC – ‘External blast’ probably sank S Korean naval ship

An “external explosion” probably sank the South Korean naval vessel which went down near North Korean waters last month, an investigator says.

BBC – Korea ship reaches oil tanker taken by Somali pirates

A South Korean warship has caught up with a super-tanker that was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean.

BBC – South Korea tanker hijacked by Somali pirates

A South Korea-operated, Singapore-owned oil tanker has been hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. South Korea has sent a destroyer already in the area to intercept the tanker before it reaches any port.

BBC – Nine missing as S Korean boat sinks in warship search

At least one person has died and eight are missing after a fishing boat sank during the search for a South Korean warship.

BBC – Sunk South Korea naval ship Cheonan ‘split in half’

The force of Friday’s mysterious explosion which sunk a South Korean naval ship appears to have split the vessel’s hull in two, officials say.

BBC: South Korean navy ship sinks near sea border with North

About 40 sailors are missing after a South Korean navy ship sank near the border with North Korea.

Associated Press – SKorea troops on high alert after navy skirmish

South Korea warned it was ready to deter any retaliation by North Korea following the two countries’ first naval clash in seven years, reportedly deploying two warships to the disputed sea border Wednesday.

BBC – Korean naval ships clash at sea

A South Korean warship has exchanged fire with a North Korean naval vessel.

Associated Press – SKorean warship rescues NKorean vessel off Somalia

South Korean snipers hovering in a helicopter Monday chased away pirates pursuing a North Korean freighter, a rare instance of recent cooperation between the two Koreas.

AFP – Cabinet backs plan to send SKorea warship against Somali pirates

Seoul’s cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to send a warship and 310 troops to combat piracy off Somalia where several South Korean ships have been seized, officials said. The dispatch of a destroyer, which must be approved by parliament next month, would mark the first-ever overseas combat deployment by the country’s navy.